Daniel Gutierrez

Daniel Gutierrez is a Professor in the Counseling and Special Education Department at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Education. As Director of the Socially Transformative Applied Research (STAR) Lab and member of the Convergence Labs, his research focuses on mental health strategies promoting resilience, well-being, and human flourishing amidst chronic stress and life challenges. His scholarship spans evidence-informed interventions for individual/community thriving and contemplative practices as pathways for personal/social transformation.

Research domains include:

• Mental health and addiction counseling interventions
• Contemplative practices and spirituality in therapy
• Resilience and positive psychology applications
• Culturally responsive treatment models

Dr. Gutierrez has secured significant research funding including a $449,912 grant from Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and $220,000 in Templeton/Mind & Life Institute grants. His honors include three Bigg-Pines Awards, the Association for Play Therapy Research Award, ACA Fellowship, and Distinguished Alumni recognition.

As a licensed professional counselor and certified substance abuse counselor with over a decade of clinical experience, he currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Counseling and Values and previously presided over the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling.