Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

Maria A. Williams, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University, with an Interpersonal Practice scope. Maria has experience working with children of all ages, teens, young adults and families. Maria has shown to be effective in developing healthy long-lasting therapeutic relationships. She has experience working with many life themes; grief, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, academics, teen pregnancy, foster care, substance use, social media, and other difficult issues that adolescents, teens, and adults face.

If you feel unsafe in your body, not able to express yourself freely and lack connection to your intuition, you have come to the right place to heal. Working with Lilly will help you: uncover and release limiting beliefs; gain insight to make empowered choices; increase confidence, self-expression, and interpersonal communication skills; reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation; improve overall wellness, vitality, and health. Her approach is compassionate and client-centered, allowing the system of the client to lead where each session goes. She welcomes you to schedule a free Discovery Call!

I believe that everyone struggles with life at times. I offer a supportive, caring, non-judgemental environment to work through any issues, struggles or concerns. I offer crisis, short term, and long term counseling. I work to get to know you and what you need. Together we will make a plan to address any struggles, concerns or issues that you may have. The hardest part of any journey is taking the first step. I am here to help and guide you on your journey.

Is a part of you feeling ready to engage in therapy but another part of you is anxious at the thought of becoming vulnerable? Or maybe there is a different part of you feeling hopeless, depressed, and wondering “Why even bother?” I will walk alongside you to assess the inner conflicts that may be present. Sometimes, the “inner conflict” happening is between these “parts.”

You are unique in all the world! There is no one just like you with your story or life. Your family, pets, friends, community--where you came from--what you have overcome and endured-all these make you the unique person you are. At some time you may wish to turn the page on your story. My therapy involves walking with you while you decide where you want to go from here--who the person is that you want to be--how you want your life and story to change. I will listen and challenge, support and invite you to learn new skills and growth.

You deserve to live a life that leaves you excited to wake up every morning. Are you ready to make a change in your life? It takes courage to ask for help, but the rewards of doing so can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment. I understand and have experienced the emotional challenges life has to offer. In working together, we will cultivate growth by understanding the obstacles that you face and develop solutions that can help you gain control of your life and achieve your goals. Ultimately, therapy can lead you to greater self-awareness, self-esteem, and most importantly, a more fulfilling life. Evenings and Weekends work great!

I’d like to help you realize your goals, your hopes, and your dreams. I utilize a variety of evidence based modalities tailored to your individual needs.

Welcome! I have 2 core therapy philosophies: First, your thoughts will mislead you, if unexamined. Second: "Live Your Best Life" - not your diagnoses or issues. You're here because: 1. You're suffering from painful thoughts and overwhelming feelings; 2. Self-destructive habits are harming your progress and relationships; 3. You want to Safely collaborate with a warm, dynamic expert to solve confusing issues. I can help! I'm a Seasoned, Clinically-Licensed Therapist employing: CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy); DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy); S/A (Substance Abuse Therapy); MAT (Mindfulness Awareness Training) and TIP (Thought Inquiry Power).

Sometimes, a good cry is just what you need to release all the hurt you have built up inside! People come to counseling because they want something to be different in their lives. They may want to change their personal or family situation, solve a particular problem, or simply bring a healthier balance to their lives. The counseling process can be fun and exciting. It can also, at times, be very challenging, difficult, and even painful. However, the goal will always be to bring about some positive change and meaningful outcomes!

I have over 25 years experience working with teenagers, young adults, and parents. My clinical experience includes juvenile delinquency, School performance issues, Bullying, Parent/Teenager conflict, Male issues, foster care, parenting, and individual therapy. My experience has given me the ability to connect and develop a healthy therapeutic relationship with you. I utilize a strengths-based approach in therapy to draw upon the inherent strengths of individuals and families.

Life experiences can impact us in surprising, often difficult and even traumatic ways leaving us feeling out of touch with ourselves and those around us. With over sixteen (16) years of experience working alongside individuals and families in a variety of clinical settings, my clinical approach begins with meeting you where you are at, without judgement or preconceived notions, to help create a safe, warm and welcoming environment for change. Combining my experience as a clinical social worker and as a parent, my aim is to provide resources and tools that can be used to breakdown the barriers that may exist in your life.

Life can change in a flash. Transitions are not always expected. Job loss, chronic illness, death of a loved one, a pandemic - not to mention those we do plan, such as moving, empty nest, retirement, and others. We often try to avoid transitions because change can be hard. Even a positive change can cause feelings of loss, anxiety, overwhelmed and often leads to anxiety or depression. The good news is those suffering from emotional instability, a trauma & loss, or other mental health illnesses can learn new tools and skills to maneuver their way to a new calm and peace.

Life's challenges can become overwhelming and we can feel anxious, hopeless, depressed, and simply stuck.

Mind, Body, and Spirit; all are important aspects of overall well-being and at some point in our lives, we all experience one, two, or all three areas becoming misaligned. The solution then is to find balance once again…and that is where I come in. Whether you are looking to change the thoughts and beliefs you have about yourself (mind), relieve bodily symptoms that have no medical explanation (body), or get connect to your higher self (spirit), I am here to help guide you to realignment. **Email/text are the easiest ways to get ahold of me as I am often in session**

We live in a world that is changing every day often creating stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and grief. My role is to walk alongside to provide support and perspective. Each individual is unique and an expert in their own journey. I encourage my clients to pursue their own authentic self while working to debunk societal norms that may be holding them back. I take a trauma informed approach that starts by bringing awareness to our body. I enjoy working with those who are 13+ (adults) to navigate relationship issues, depression, disordered eating; supporting friends and family members associated to persons with substance abuse issues.

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.

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.

My goal with anyone interested in counseling is to "meet you where you are at ". Feeling comfortable with your counseling experience is very important to me. With therapy, it is essential to provide non-judgmental feedback with an understanding that everyone is unique regarding their therapeutic needs. I am here to offer you a multidisciplinary approach regarding your concerns, rather than a "one size fits all approach". We investigate together the concerns that brought you into counseling with the idea of working together to sort out the important details. Bringing yourself to the origin of your concerns is the goal.

Hi there! Are you interested in learning how to effectively live your life the way you want to live it? You likely already have some of these skills. I can help you to identify these skills and maximize their benefits while offering you the individualized support you need at being successful in living how you want to live.  Managing stress, anxiety, depression and many other challenges that life can throw at you is my specialty. Learning to understand the ineffective processes of your negative patterns and reactions will offer you a new perspective.