Photo of Michael Mudgett LPC, Counselor in 49503, MI
Michael Mudgett LPC
Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
My goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment where children, teens, adults, couples and families can open up, share and find help in regards to personal struggles and trauma that occur throughout the life span. I am a Christian who counsels and have 17 years of experience. I work helping those who struggle with the tangled web of interpersonal conflicts who have limited insight about their struggles whether those relationship are with significant other, in marriage,home, work, or with peers. My passion is to help people find their purpose. Accepting new referrals.
My goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment where children, teens, adults, couples and families can open up, share and find help in regards to personal struggles and trauma that occur throughout the life span. I am a Christian who counsels and have 17 years of experience. I work helping those who struggle with the tangled web of interpersonal conflicts who have limited insight about their struggles whether those relationship are with significant other, in marriage,home, work, or with peers. My passion is to help people find their purpose. Accepting new referrals.
(616) 426-6612 View (616) 426-6612
Photo of Tyler Higley, Licensed Professional Counselor in 49503, MI
Tyler Higley
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Grand Rapids, MI 49503  (Online Only)
I believe all people generally have the resources to help themselves, yet sometimes simply need a safe, trustworthy professional to help work through issues, identify goals, make healthy decisions and take steps necessary to live life more fully. I use an integrative approach that draws largely from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solutions-focused and cognitive behavioral theories. I recognize and respect the fact that individuals have widely varying perspectives and needs. Lastly, I am fully virtual and offer either phone or video sessions.
I believe all people generally have the resources to help themselves, yet sometimes simply need a safe, trustworthy professional to help work through issues, identify goals, make healthy decisions and take steps necessary to live life more fully. I use an integrative approach that draws largely from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solutions-focused and cognitive behavioral theories. I recognize and respect the fact that individuals have widely varying perspectives and needs. Lastly, I am fully virtual and offer either phone or video sessions.
(616) 426-6566 View (616) 426-6566
Photo of Centennial Park Counseling Center, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49503, MI
Centennial Park Counseling Center
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LMSW
Verified Verified
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker. I earned my bachelor's degree in History from Taylor University; a Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University; and a Master's degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. I have over 25 years of experience working in counseling, training, higher education, non-profit administration, and financial planning. My experience as a clinical therapist, has spanned over 23 years. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addictive personalities, spiritual issues, financial issues, and cognitive restructuring.
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker. I earned my bachelor's degree in History from Taylor University; a Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University; and a Master's degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. I have over 25 years of experience working in counseling, training, higher education, non-profit administration, and financial planning. My experience as a clinical therapist, has spanned over 23 years. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addictive personalities, spiritual issues, financial issues, and cognitive restructuring.
(616) 426-6701 View (616) 426-6701
Photo of Eric Dawson, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49503, MI
Eric Dawson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Verified Verified
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Not accepting new clients
Eric is attuned to the mental health challenges that athletes face. He currently works as a clinical sport social worker within Harvard Athletics, where he provides individual counseling and co-leads their Mind and Body program. He incorporates mindfulness into his practice, as well as psychodynamic approaches like Internal Family Systems and Self Psychology. Eric works with a limited number of college and professional athletes who are committed and dedicated to improving their relationship with themselves.
Eric is attuned to the mental health challenges that athletes face. He currently works as a clinical sport social worker within Harvard Athletics, where he provides individual counseling and co-leads their Mind and Body program. He incorporates mindfulness into his practice, as well as psychodynamic approaches like Internal Family Systems and Self Psychology. Eric works with a limited number of college and professional athletes who are committed and dedicated to improving their relationship with themselves.
(508) 893-4916 View (508) 893-4916
Chronic Pain Therapists

How does chronic pain therapy work?

Engaging with a psychotherapist to help treat chronic pain does not mean that one’s pain is all in their head. Therapy for chronic-pain patients has been shown to benefit both the mind and the body, targeting physical symptoms and increasing daily functioning. In other words, for many, addressing their emotional health through therapy affects their physical health. A therapist can help a client challenge unhelpful thoughts about pain and develop new ways to respond to it, such as distraction or calming breathing techniques. Studies have found that therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain cases of chronic pain and many doctors recommend trying psychotherapy in advance of considering invasive surgery.

What are the most effective treatment options for chronic pain?

Stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, ruminating, lack of activity, and social withdrawal all make chronic pain worse. Addressing these issues, research shows, can help people gain control over their pain symptoms. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and mindfulness-based stress reduction, along with greater pain-management education, have been found to help people reduce fear and disability.

Are there new treatments for chronic pain?

Many cases of chronic pain, particularly those involving back pain, remain medically unexplained. But there is evidence that changes in the brain or nervous system are caused by previous physical ailments such as tissue damage; in such cases, the brain may continue to send out pain signals despite the physical cause having healed. To aid patients under these circumstances, a recently developed treatment known as pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) is designed to help the brain “unlearn” this response. A PRT practitioner helps individuals to reduce the “threat value” of their ongoing pain signals until they can reappraise them as less threatening and fear-inducing. They also help an individual to develop new emotional regulation skills.

How long does therapy for chronic pain take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from chronic pain, especially as there may be a range of physical and psychological causes for any individual’s discomfort, but most patients should expect to see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 sessions. Studies of pain reprocessing therapy found that many individuals’ experience of pain lessened in eight sessions over four weeks.