Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

You are not broken, you are deeply hurt. It is easy to find yourself in unhelpful patterns & ways of being. This might be due to your nervous system being flooded with anger, fear & despair. In a creative way to survive, you have found self-protection strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies are likely no longer helpful. Part of our work together will be unraveling this muscle memory to reveal how you can live a life that is true to you. YOU become the place of self-awareness, peaceful acceptance & intentional action. As a certified trauma professional & art therapist, I integrate these tools into our therapeutic work.

I want to start off by saying that I am proud of you for taking the first step in healing! Making the choice to seek out therapy can be a tough one, choosing your therapist shouldn’t be. My goal as your therapist is to create a comfortable and safe environment (however that may look for you) to process, heal and grow. It is important to me that your therapy space is inclusive, trauma informed and person centered.

Similarly to many of you, the pandemic created an opportunity for me to re-evaluate my choices and to step out of that comfort zone and move towards something new. Exploring new paths can be intimidating but it is also exciting. What I hope to provide for each of my clients as we work together: a place where it is safe to be both vulnerable and brave as you work towards healing and towards your own goals. My professional mission is to help each person determine their goals and needs, then build on their strengths to reach them. This is never a linear process but I can provide an open, safe, and judgment free environment.

I am passionate about helping clients discover their goals for themselves and learn healthy new coping skills and behavioral techniques to reach those goals. I will join you in your journey of change and personal growth while providing you with support, encouragement, compassion and empathy. My goal is to help all who step into my office to build resilience and improve their mental health. There is strength in realizing we can do hard things, and encouragement in seeing ourselves do them with support!

Therapy is hard. My job is to make you feel confident with your decision to reach out for help while guiding you through your own personal growth and healing. Healing from trauma will be the hardest and most worthwhile decision of your life, and you do not have to go through it alone. I offer individual therapy for adolescents and adults in a LGBTQ+ open and affirming practice. Please reach out if you would like to connect about the therapy process.

The first step towards healing and growth is often the hardest, and I am honored to be able to walk alongside my clients through this work. I embrace differences of all kinds in my practice and aim to create a space where we will collaborate towards goals, develop resiliency skills, and identify strengths to highlight what makes you who you are. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, I give clients the choice to integrate art making with evidence based, psycho therapeutic practices as a supportive, nonjudgmental tool for communication and expression.

The way trauma, anxiety and stress manifest in the body and mind is different for every individual. Some people may develop coping mechanisms such as avoidance or hypervigilance, while others may lash out or mask their feelings with substance use, anger, unhealthy or codependent relationships. Building a strong understanding of how anxiety, stress, and trauma affect the brain is key to understanding why you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with life's curveballs. Everyone experiences and processes life differently; self-awareness and a strong support system are they key to healthy coping.

Finding someone that you feel comfortable being vulnerable with can be a challenge. As a counselor, I encourage you to be your authentic self and fully express your feelings. I will provide a safe space free of judgment in which you can explore your experiences and deepen your understanding of yourself. I often utilize humor, education, and warmth in sessions. My goal is to develop a holistic understanding of your worldview. I want to help you learn how to work with your brain, not against it.

I value openness to new experiences, to different ways of thinking, to honest conversations, to more authentic ways of living. My goal is for the therapy environment to be characterized by openness, where there are no taboo topics and you’re supported in talking about anything. I’m committed to providing an open, affirming therapy experience, where therapy helps you open doors to more genuine and more effective ways of engaging in life.

Are you looking for a safe space to express yourself, explore your emotions, and navigate life's challenges? If so, I want you to know that you're not alone. As a compassionate and experienced counselor, my primary goal is to provide support and understanding to individuals just like you. I understand that reaching out for help can be difficult, and it takes courage to take that first step. That's why I strive to create a warm and non-judgmental environment where you can feel comfortable opening up about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

Need help with your child's behaviors or attitude? I can provide your child and you with the necessary tools to make positive changes. Need help managing depression, anxiety, anger, or substance abuse? Together we can increase your ability to manage life's challenges. I work with children, young adults, and adults. I provide a non-judgmental, client-centered, and relaxed environment. I will assist you in learning about yourself, and how you can make decisions and choices that best support your mental health.

Starting therapy can be a tough choice to make. I am here to provide support, empathy, and a safe space as you take this journey into healing and self-growth.I believe that therapy is a collaborative process where you and I work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and goals. My approach is client-centered, meaning that your concerns and needs come first in sessions. I provide a non-judgmental space where you can express yourself freely and work towards the changes you seek in your life.

We all have the need to be understood, valued, and supported just as we are right now. Healing comes from having a safe place to share your struggles and fears without judgment. I use compassion and empathy to support individuals, couples and families. I believe each person has a unique lived experience and a therapist is there to support and guide people to live a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. I have advanced training and specialize in attachment theory to support healing in people that have experienced trauma. I believe that our relationships are a central component in our health.

Life can sneak up on you, often looking much different than you had intended. Sometimes these differences are hard to navigate and understand. As a clinician, it is my privilege and responsibility to help you learn how to navigate these situations. Most individuals are much stronger and more resilient than they give themselves credit for. We can work together using your own strengths to identify hopes and goals for treatment, and find realistic approaches to working toward these goals. You have the tools within yourself to achieve your goals; I will help guide and strengthen these tools.

Imagine waking up every morning, your mind clouded with a heavy fog of doubt, sadness, and fear. The weight of the world feels like an anchor, making every step forward seem impossible. For many people, this is an all-too-familiar struggle. But you're not alone in this journey. I'm here to extend a compassionate hand to help you find your way out of the darkness. You are the expert of your own experiences and have the tools to work through the issues life throws at you. I believe that healing begins with understanding.

The path to a quality world can be intimidating for people. I understand how it can feel like it is one that you are on alone. My work with diverse groups: adolescents, people that identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, and people with disabilities (PWDs) informs me of some of these challenges. My experience supporting clients in their path to wellness through anxiety, depression, trauma, disability acceptance, adoption/reunification, incarceration, personality disorders and relationship/intimacy challenges makes me confident in the progress we can achieve in counseling together.

Trauma is defined differently by everyone and NO ONE understands what you are going through like you do. As a therapist trained in EMDR I can use my knowledge to help you process life experiences and provide realistic tools to manage reactions caused by trauma. I have previous work experience in healthcare and I enjoy working with teenagers, adults, and couples. My training and work experience include individuals with histories of complex trauma, personality disorders, trauma affiliated with a religion, addiction(s), grief, sexual health, and medical trauma.

Our mission is to provide a safe space for individuals, families, and groups to explore and resolve life issues. We offer an array of therapeutic services to meet the needs of diverse populations. If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger, trauma or other issues related to mental health or substance abuses, don't hesitate to call us. We offer in person, virtual, and in- home sessions. Don't wait, we're ready to help you.

Finding the right person to talk to and connect with can be stressful, but it should be easy. My goal is to help you reach your goals in a comfortable, warm, and supportive environment; free from judgment and personal agendas. I'm a very real person, and encourage you to be your authentic self, F bombs and all! It's important for us to have a collaborative relationship where you feel free to share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions and make the changes that will improve your life. I am passionate about what I do, and look forward to helping you to free yourself from personal conflicts and stressors. Email for a quicker response.