Hidden Gems: Meet Myra Hurtado of Healing Hearts Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Myra Hurtado.

Hi Myra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a native Arizonian, I grew up on a dairy farm as one of four kids, surrounded by early mornings, and hard work. My parents taught us that faith, family, and perseverance were non-negotiables in life. That upbringing didn’t just shape my work ethic—it gave me roots. Deep ones.
My journey has been marked by both incredible blessings and profound loss. Loss, in many ways, has been a teacher. It has carved out space in me—a tenderness that allows me to sit with others in their darkest moments. I’ve come to understand that grief forever alters the landscape of our lives, and that healing rarely looks linear or predictable. But there is beauty in that, too. And I’ve felt called—deeply and consistently—to walk with people through their pain toward hope.
As a former collegiate athlete, I learned the value of discipline, teamwork, and grit—lessons that have stayed with me far beyond the playing field. They show up in how I parent, how I lead, and how I show up for my clients. Today, I’m a wife, mom, and bonus mom to four amazing children (plus one very sweet fur baby), and our blended family is one of my life’s greatest joys.
Professionally, I’m a licensed professional counselor, a trainer, and the owner of Healing Hearts Counseling. I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals build resilience and supporting therapists as they guide others toward meaningful change. My work is deeply informed by my own ongoing healing—particularly through nervous system work that’s taught me to slow down, savor stillness, and cherish moments of mindful connection.
Nature and family remain central in my life. Whether spending time in nature or sharing a quiet meal with loved ones, those simple moments remind me of what truly matters. They’re the foundation of my belief in holistic well-being—body, mind, and spirit—and they inspire the work I do every day.
At the heart of it all, I am someone who believes in the power of presence. To be able to hold space for others as they heal, to witness their transformation, and to remind them of their worth—that is one of the greatest honors of my life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth, but it has definitely been incredibly meaningful. Building something from the ground up is no small feat. I began Healing Hearts Counseling in 2019 and a year later opened The Integrative Healing Center in 2020, right in the middle of a global pandemic. While the world was shutting down, my sister and I, were partnering together to open a space for people to find healing—and truthfully, that season stretched me in every way. There were long days, even longer nights, and countless moments where I wondered how I would hold it all together.
Supervising a team, running a business, and walking alongside others in their pain requires an incredible amount of emotional energy. Add to that the sacred (and messy) work of raising children, tending to a marriage, and nurturing a blended family—and the weight of it all became real, fast.
It’s taken a lot of work—internally and externally. I’ve had to do my own healing, tend to my nervous system, and prioritize my physical and emotional health. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) the difference between carrying it all and carrying it well. I’ve had to unlearn the idea that self-care is selfish, and instead, embrace the truth that I can only give to others from a place of overflow, not depletion.
I deeply care about my family, my team, and the people I serve—which means I’ve had to be intentional with my time and boundaries. There have been sacrifices and seasons of imbalance, but also moments of deep clarity, joy, and purpose.
The road hasn’t been smooth—but it’s been sacred. And every struggle has deepened my commitment to this work, this calling, and the people I’ve been honored to walk alongside.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Healing Hearts Counseling, we are a team of trauma-informed therapists dedicated to supporting individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan. We work with children, teens, and adults, offering a safe and compassionate space to explore life’s challenges and begin the journey toward healing.

Our approach is holistic and integrative, grounded in the belief that true wellness involves the body, mind, and soul. We specialize in trauma-focused care and offer a variety of evidence-based modalities, including EMDR therapy, somatic healing, play therapy for children, and couples and family counseling. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or family dynamics, our therapists are here to walk alongside you with empathy and expertise.

We understand that trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it’s held in the body and felt in the spirit. Unresolved trauma and chronic stress can dysregulate the nervous system, leading to a wide range of emotional, physical, and relational struggles. That’s why our work is rooted in nervous system regulation and body-based healing, helping clients move beyond survival and toward wholeness.

In addition to our clinical services, Myra Hurtado, the founder of Healing Hearts Counseling, is an Approved EMDR Consultant, Certified EMDR Therapist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. She offers consultation, supervision, and certification support for clinicians seeking to deepen their trauma-informed practice.

At Healing Hearts, our mission is simple: to help people heal deeply, connect authentically, and live fully.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy? So many things—but at the heart of it, I come alive when I get to witness healing.

Helping people move from pain to freedom, from surviving to thriving, truly lights me up on the inside. There’s nothing more meaningful than seeing someone experience wholeness—when the weight they’ve carried starts to lift and they begin to reclaim their story.

I also find so much joy in supporting new therapists. I love watching them grow in confidence, deepen their skills, and find their own unique voice in the work. I believe in the power of community—linking arms with others who are doing this sacred work brings me a deep sense of purpose and connection.

Outside of my professional life, my greatest joy is my family. I cherish our time together and find grounding in the simple, meaningful moments we share. Nature is my reset button—whether I’m at the beach or walking through the trees, it helps me breathe deeper, slow down, and reconnect with what matters most.

All of these things—healing, growth, connection, family, and nature—they fill my life with joy and remind me that I’m right where I’m meant to be.

Pricing:

• We are private pay but offer a superbill so clients can submit for their own reimbursement.
• We offer sliding scale fees
• We have Masters Interns who have a reduced rate
• We can accept HSA and ESA money

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healingheartsccaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingheartsccaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingheartsccaz/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myra-hurtado-11b5266b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/MyraHurtadoLPC
• Other: https://www.instituteforintegrativehealing.com/

Image Credits
photographer: @kate.marie.gardner