Chronic Illness Therapists in 49503

Maybe you've been diagnosed with a long term illness or have had symptoms for years and at times you don’t recognize yourself anymore. You know these health struggles are somehow behind your depressed and anxious feelings, and you feel alone…like no one understands. Right now, you may have more questions than answers, but one thing you know for sure is that you’d do anything to get your life back. You grieve for the person you used to be and find it hard to imagine yourself living a worthwhile life with this illness trying to drag you down every chance it gets. (Due to demand, I ONLY accept clients with chronic illness concerns)

My specialties are working with adults, 20y/o and older, coping with chronic illness, depression, bipolar, life transitions and difficult situations, which they, a friend/partner, or a family member are experiencing. Additionally, my skills lie in helping people cope with school and work issues, retirement, and aging. My goal is to help you cope, understand, respond and move forward.

I enjoy working with individuals struggling with chronic illness, eating disorders, weight loss, anxiety, depression, interpersonal concerns, and general life stress. I understand that it can be extremely stressful to manage emotional or physical health concerns in our fast paced, high pressure society. Throughout my training, I have admired the people I have worked with who are making transitions and want to examine themselves, their past, and their interpersonal environment to make changes that work for them.

My goal as your therapist is to help you take control of your past, reduce its impact on your daily life, and increase your overall sense of wellbeing. I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety, and chronic pain/illness. These struggles are very often connected and by beginning the healing process, we can improve every aspect of our daily lives. As someone with a history of trauma and chronic illness, I understand these connections very well. During your time in therapy with me, you will get someone who understands on a personal level the difficulties you may be experiencing.

I have been a fully licensed clinical psychologist for more than 20 years. My clinical focus is on helping adults (ages 22+) identify and build upon their own unique strengths, while also learning to manage personal weaknesses (which we all have), in order to develop more personally satisfying ways of living. I have a particular background in helping clients during life changes and transitions, which can be both an exciting and a stressful time for people. I strive to provide a respectful, compassionate, and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment, and I aim to be supportive, yet honest and transparent, with all of my clients.

It's difficult when you feel alone, and you are not sure who you can talk to. Especially when you have been hurt in the past, & have felt misunderstood when you tried to communicate how you felt. You want someone who will listen to you without judging or criticizing you and who recognizes everything you have been through. You want to feel seen, heard, valued, and cared for. You're hoping that therapy will help you to build a life that you feel is worth living for. You want every day to feel a little bit easier and to not be in so much pain. I want to help you meet the goals that you have for your life and meet you where you are at.

Heartstone Guidance Center is a group of neurodivergent therapists offering neurodiversity affirming, LGBTQIA-affirming, and culturally aware therapy services. We have autistic, ADHD, and otherwise neurodivergent therapists who offer authenticity and a space where you will be seen, heard, and respected as the authority and expert in your life. We are the alternative to the world that tells you that you need to be neurotypical or normal to fit in and be accepted. We offer therapy to help you understand and embrace your true identity, find compassion for yourself, and develop coping strategies for living in a stressful world.

Welcome! As humans, we are all on a path of healing and growing. We are born with intrinsic worth, but through painful experiences, we internalize untruths. Our work is about creating a new truth by trimming the pain that keeps you stuck in shame, toxic relational patterns, negative thoughts, unhealthy habits and loss of purpose. Collaboration is the foundation of my work. Humans are the experts in their lives, but I do have experience and training in how to help people make the changes they desire, as well as providing compassionate, empathetic, and non-judgmental care.

Seeking therapy to better yourself and your life isn’t an easy decision, but it’s a brave one and shows incredible strength. When you enter my office, I view you as the expert in the room. While it’s not unusual to feel lost, with some time and reflection, we can begin to understand ourselves better than anyone else possibly could. Throughout my career I have consistently seen that when we invest time and energy in ourselves it only creates a positive ripple throughout our lived experiences and relationships. That said, we often need someone to walk alongside us on this journey of self-discovery.

Accepting Clients In-Person & Online - It could be long-term depression or recent development in your life. You could be severely depressed or mildly so. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, lost, or empty. Maybe what used to work for you doesn't anymore. You're trying to make changes but it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe you're always feeling tired, exhausted, or generally bad about yourself. Perhaps you're high strung and having difficulty calming down. At Mend Counseling you will be met wherever you're at in order to find a new way forward. Therapy can truly help you find more meaning and happiness in your life.

Life can be filled with challenging experiences and obstacles that leave us feeling hopeless, worried, restless, frustrated, or even stuck. Sometimes, we feel lost and confused about our purpose in life. Other times, we can feel unsettled and consumed with worry. Maybe you even feel powerless, like you're going through the motions of the day under a gray cloud and can't seem to find the energy to move forward. If this resonates, I will help you process your feelings, guide you through useful coping strategies, and ultimately work alongside you to reach your therapeutic goals.

Safety, trust and empathy is the foundation of our therapeutic relationship. These features eventually become part of the catalyst to your growth. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist, our work together entails deep conversation about your thoughts, feelings, experiences and life story. I lead with compassion, curiosity and deep respect. Never losing sight of the honor it is to walk alongside you on your journey. I enjoy working with people seeking to better understand themselves while struggling with; anxiety, trauma, life transitions, depression and relationship issues. I am particularly well versed in grief, loss, death and dying.

My passion is helping others find ways to manage their challenges in this ever-changing journey we call life. For over 27 years I have worked with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families in a variety of settings; including home, school, office, and in the community. I pride myself in building therapeutic relationships with each individual I work with. By achieving this, I believe we can then work together to help identify what is challenging you currently to get you to the life you choose to live successfully.

The deepest goal of counseling is learning about yourself by teaching me about you. This idea can be daunting. You might be asking yourself, “What will I learn? Am I ready? What will this journey be like?” Sometimes starting the process is the hardest part! The beauty of counseling is that the journey doesn’t have to be taken alone. When you find a therapist that fits well, it can feel less like stumbling through a dark forest and more like forging a path of your own. No matter what brings you to therapy, feeling empowered, safe, and understood through the process can make all the difference in the world.

Welcome! I am glad you are here. As a mental health professional, I provide support and intervention for a variety of psychological, career, academic, and relational experiences across the lifespan to diverse persons. This includes services to individuals, various partner structures, families, and groups. My work centers on decolonization and destigmatization of mental health services with emphasis on culturally-affirming care. As such, I identify as a LGBTQIA+, Kink, Disability, and Gender Affirming provider. The experiences of marginalized, minoritized, and disenfranchised communities remain at the forefront of my clinical work.

Taking steps toward change is not always easy. I believe we are capable of change given the opportunity and courage to do so. My approach is collaborative and I tailor my work to meet your needs, personality, and cultural factors. I believe in meeting people where they are at to help them heal, grow, and achieve the personal changes they want to make. My style is warm and approachable, and I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment.

We are living in tender times. Many of us are undergoing internal shifts and personal transformations while the world at large is also shifting beneath our feet. Working together, we can find ways to cope creatively with life's many challenges. My work is inspired by each individual client’s unique potential for wholeness. I enjoy working with individuals on issues of gender, sexuality, relationships, intimacy, spirituality, wellness and authenticity. I am LGBTQIA+ friendly & aware. My other areas of competence include anxiety, depression, grief, and adjustment to life transitions.

The world is changing, and so are we. Maybe this presents itself as feelings of depression, anxiety, or confusion, fear, or judgment. You may have thoughts of “giving up” or feeling “stuck” while wanting to move forward yet lacking resources do so. Life is a journey and all the tools you need are within you, maybe it’s hard to tap into them right now. There are so many things you can do to flourish in life. You can find clarity, security and confidence in yourself and develop compassion for your inner-critic, while you create healthy connections within yourself, your relationships and your life. I can assist with virtual sessions.

Are you overwhelmed by life and not sure how to get through another day? Troubled by the past and not sure how to resolve it? Is anxiety, depression, or grief the main feelings you experience on a daily basis? Do you want to be content and free from worry? To enjoy life to it's fullest?