About My Therapy and Counseling Style

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Heather Guttormson, MS, LMFT, Certified Discernment Counselor

My Mission and Approach

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Lasting love isn't about luck — it's about learning and growth.
My mission is to help individuals and couples develop the insight, skills, and emotional courage needed to transform their relationships from the inside out.

With over 20 years of experience, I combine the latest research on relationships, emotional health, and personal development to guide you through meaningful, lasting change. Whether you are working to strengthen your connection, heal after betrayal, or make difficult decisions about your future, I provide a roadmap that is both compassionate and practical.

A Bit About Me

Before I share more about my professional background, I want to tell you a little about myself. I grew up on a farm in the Red River Valley, where I learned that when life gets hard, you don’t give up — you roll up your sleeves and get to work. That spirit defines my approach to therapy today: practical, straightforward, and deeply committed to growth.

You can expect that I will only teach skills I believe in and practice myself. My work is about helping you create real, sustainable change — not just temporary fixes.

How I Work with Clients

In our work together, I focus on the patterns that keep you disconnected or stuck — not just the surface-level arguments. Sometimes this means naming hard truths with respect and clarity, because real change often begins with real honesty.

My role is to help you:

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  • Understand the deeper dynamics shaping your relationship

  • Strengthen your connection, emotional resilience, and repair skills

  • Build the tools needed to move through challenges with hope and strength

I cannot guarantee whether a relationship will ultimately continue, but I can clearly show you what strengthens love — and what slowly erodes it over time.

My Professional Training and Experience

I began working in the mental health field in 1996 and have provided therapy to individuals, couples, and families since 2001. My experience includes working in inpatient and outpatient organizations, nonprofit agencies, university settings, and state programs. Alongside clinical work, I have trained therapists, developed therapeutic programming, and published research articles on ethics, counselor development, couples therapy, and cultural competence.

I have presented at national conferences, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).

I am proud to hold the following credentials:

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (North Dakota)

  • Approved Supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapy (North Dakota)

This means I have completed advanced education and clinical training beyond licensure and am qualified to supervise other therapists in North Dakota.

Specialized Expertise in Couples Therapy

My passion for the science of love and relationships drives me to continually deepen my knowledge.

Honestly, I geek out about it — and I’m proud of that!
I have a “bucket list” of relationship experts I want to train with before I retire from counseling — and every year, that list gets a little shorter. I still get starstruck meeting the leading researchers at conferences.

If you work with me long enough, you’ll find that I regularly take time away from the office — sometimes multiple times a year — to attend intensive trainings with the very best in the field.

I believe it’s essential to stay active in the therapy community, network with other professionals, have my assumptions challenged, and keep learning the most effective ways to help couples and individuals grow.

I am proud to be a Founding Member of the Doherty Institute’s Marriage Counseling Specialists and a Licensed Presenter of the Doherty Institute, which means I’ve received advanced training and approval to teach and apply Dr. Bill Doherty’s research-based methods for couples in distress.

Here’s what sets my couples work apart:

  • Only Certified Discernment Counselor in North Dakota

  • Only therapist with advanced training and practicing Relational Life Therapy (RLT) in North Dakota

  • Founding Member of the Doherty Institute’s Marriage Counseling Specialists

  • Licensed Presenter of the Doherty Institute

  • Advanced training in infidelity recovery and sexual health counseling

Relational Life Therapy, developed by renowned therapist Terry Real, blends honesty, skill-building, and deep compassion. It is ideal for couples ready to move beyond blame and defensiveness and toward true connection and change.

Privacy and Comfort for Your Care

I provide therapy in a private, welcoming setting — not a busy group practice. I don’t share a waiting room with other counselors or therapists. When you visit my office, you’ll find a quiet, comfortable environment focused entirely on your healing, privacy, and growth.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Choosing a therapist is an important decision. If you would like to explore how I might be able to help, I invite you to reach out.

Visit my contact page, or browse my Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

It would be an honor to walk alongside you as you work toward the relationships — and the life — you truly deserve.