Meet Ori Gutin | Existential Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ori Gutin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ori, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the possibility of life. In Buddhism, they say that the chance of being born a human is as rare as a blind sea turtle, who only surfaces once every 100 years, poking his head through a small ring floating on the surface of the ocean when he comes up for air. I’ve always resonated with this metaphor a lot. Being a human on this planet — right here right now — is such a unique and incredible opportunity, and just by merely being here, our lives contain so much possibility. I am inspired by making the most of my life in an authentic and meaningful way, and I’m inspired by helping others do the same.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In a world that constantly wants us to move fast, I want to move slow. In a world that wants us to receive immediate gratification, I want to find depth far beyond the surface. In a world that constantly encourages us to look outwardly, I want to truly know myself.

These are some of the personal guidelines that drive my work with my practice, Embrace Existence Therapy. I find that so much of therapy today is about problem solving and quick fixes, and I personally don’t align with that. Yes, I would love if anyone who came to see me could immediate solve any problems they were facing, and could live a life without stress. However, pain (in its many forms — sorrow, grief, anger, anxiety, etc) is an affliction that no human can truly avoid! So my goal in therapy is not to help people avoid pain, but rather to face it. To learn from it. To build a meaningful life even in it’s presence. My practice is about embracing all that it means to be human.

I am building my practice slowly over time as I transition from working with a community mental health agency, and it certainly has been a process. It is a process filled with anxiety and uncertainty, and thus requires not only trust in yourself, but trust in the universe as well. Sometimes it is harder for me than others to truly trust, but I remind myself it is necessary regularly. So far I think it working out 🙂

My biggest message to others interested in creating their own ventures would be to take risks and to trust. Its important to dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think I would take them to spend as much time in the mountains as possible doing whatever the season allowed — hiking, camping, snowboarding, kayaking, etc. I would take them to visit some of my favorite mountain towns as well like Gold Hill or Nederland. I would take them to all the best vegan restaurants around Denver like City O’ City, Bang up to the Elephant and Wellness Sushi. I would spend lots of time with them lounging in parks on a blanket soaking in the sun and reading a good book.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I immediately think of my family — my mom and dad who have supported me unconditionally throughout my life, and my 4 siblings who have always been by my side cheering me on. I think of amazing friends who have been there through good and bad, and I think of skilled professors and mentors who have helped guide me to learn the art of therapy. On a more philosophical basis, I think of two specific people I feel that have shaped me:

1) Howard Thurman, who was an American philosopher and civil rights leader. He is the author of one of my all time favorite quotes that has inspired much of the way I approach my life: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I use Thurman’s words as a guide often, asking myself, “what is it that makes me truly come alive?” I even have this quote tattooed on my back! 🙂

2) Viktor Frankl, who was an Austrian Psychologist and Holocaust survivor. Frankl is most famous for writing the book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” and creating the therapeutic modality of Logotherapy, which spawned the creation of the modality, Existential Analysis. Frankl’s lifelong work was dedicated to helping people connect with meaning and purpose — not only has this work been incredibly impactful for me personally, but it has been the main basis for my therapeutic career as well.

Website: https://www.embrace-existence.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omgutin