Lizett Justa Gutierrez

Lizett was born in Lima, Peru and raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area where from a young age her fascination with animals and insects was cultivated. Her enthusiasm for animals led to 18 years working as a veterinary nurse. She accomplished her goal of learning to care for pets in a variety of veterinary specialty departments. While on the veterinary nursing path Lizett refocused her attention towards helping the community of individuals with disabilities. Lizett gained her Master of Arts degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. With her degree she proudly served students and their families in a Title1, tri-language (Spanish/English/Dine) community school in Albuquerque, NM. Always looking to build on how animals, humans, and the environment are interconnected in a One Health framework, Lizett earned a Masters of Social Work degree with an academic certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work (AASW) from the University of Denver. Lizett’s therapeutic approach is grounded in cultural humility, with harm reduction awareness and trauma informed clinical modalities. In an effort to increase her skill set, Lizett recently earned certifications in the following specializations: Licensed Addictions Counselor and Veterinary Social Worker. Lizett was honored to serve NLBHA as Secretary and now as Vice-President. Lizett will continue the work of increasing awareness of issues which affect the Latinx behavioral health community.