I provide a range of services including but not limited to: How to manage and cope with stress, anger, depression, anxiety, heartbreak, life transitions, parenting and family issues and college/education stress. As well as, how to process, work through and find healing after a loss. I love working with couples and helping them gain better problem-solving skills, have more meaningful communication, and to help them create a deeper emotional connection with each other. If preferred by the Client, I also offer faith-based therapy.

In my work experience I have provided clinical support to a wide variety of individuals working through a number of concerns such as ADHD, Grief and Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Severe Panic Attacks, Trauma, Relationship concerns, Self-harm, Domestic violence and adjusting to new life circumstances. I have also worked in large part at a providing clinical services to teens suffering from severe mental illness and helping them cope with difficult life circumstances and develop a positive and fulfilling outlook on the present.

**Not currently accepting new clients** I'm here to support and empower you to face your fears, challenge your thinking and find hope. I have 15+ years of clinical training and experience. Life is challenging, but I've learned that "we dont have to do it all alone, we were never meant to." Dr. Brene Brown

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - You are feeling it - You notice yourself disengaging, worrying, concerned, confused, irritated, perplexed. Everything that is going on or hasn't been going on is too much to carry on your own. You have heard that talking through things with someone could help, yet are unsure if it will. You don't feel like you can share these things with anyone around you. You feel alone and disconnected. You want to escape, maybe have tried and it's not enough. You want to feel more calm and connected. You don't have to walk through this time alone.

Welcome, choosing a therapist is a very personal decision. I will bring to our work over 20 years of experience. I have extensive expertise working with individuals, couples, and families. I treat a wide variety of life problems including anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I am committed to helping each client live their life to its fullest in happiness and confidence.

Life can be full of challenges and obstacles! Counseling can offer clients a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere to explore their inner selves, tap into their strengths and strive towards better mental health. As a counselor, I utilize evidence-based approaches to help my clients who struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, stress, grief, trauma, or parenting conflicts. Through counseling, my clients can help themselves make the necessary changes they need in their lives and begin the journey of self- growth.

Creative exploration leads to inspired healing. As a dedicated mental health professional, I provide healing through counseling and art therapy services for all people regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or national origin. It is my charge to provide a safe and healing space in which my clients can explore their mental and emotional well-being, establish, and work through their goals. Utilizing counseling, art therapy, and other goal specific activities and techniques. I assist children and adults with behavior modification, social skill development, and conflict resolution in both individual and group settings.

Life comes with ups and downs... sometimes expected, other times not... and in the face of these realities, we can often use some help working through it all. Maybe you find yourself stuck in self-defeating patterns of living, feeling unfulfilled, unable to be happy in a relationship or job, or starting over. Perhaps you are experiencing low self-esteem or social anxiety and find have that you are having difficulty pursuing the activities or relationships that you desire.

I recognize that the most important aspect to an effective treatment is the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist. Through this collaborative approach, the client and I, identify their strengths and build on these characteristics through therapy. We identify areas in the individuals' life which are not useful or producing an undesirable outcome-such as self-destructive behavior, poor communication skills. This enables the client to gain an understanding of their symptoms and behavior and become more able to make practical, helpful changes. This way of working can help them live a more fulfilling life with understanding and meaning.

Challenges and pain are inevitable in life, and my goal is to foster hope and support throughout the therapeutic process of discovery, recovery, and growth. To this end, my care philosophy is flexible toward looking out for the client's best interests, while oriented toward maximizing one's attainment of personal goals and sustainable gains.

Dwight has worked in a variety of settings including Child and Family Services, Child Protective Services and Prevention, Corrections, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Mental Health and Crisis Prevention. As such, he is well-versed in a variety of treatment modalities. Throughout the tenure of his career, Dwight has availed himself and his expertise to the amelioration of the very distinct struggles of this community’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised citizens. Most recently, Dwight has worked with both adult criminal offenders and Defendants in an acute care, correctional setting as well as in Foster Care as a provider.

I am currently accepting new clients. I have many years of experience working in the Human Services field. I have counseled individuals with developmental disabilities and those without. Specifically, with goal planning, vocational counseling, job development and disability management. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (since 1996) I have a Masters of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. I retired in 2015 after 21 years as Senior Vocational Counselor at Community Mental Health here in Lansing, Michigan.

It has been my fortunate and pleasure to work in the field of Human Services for over 20 years. During this time I have worked with very dynamic and diverse groups of people. My goal and passion is to assisted people from all walks of life, young and old, by helping them navigate through life's journey. Whether it be life transitions, trauma, grief/loss, depression, anxiety or other issues. I will work to assist you in managing some of the more complex issues of life.

I provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment for you to explore personal issues, dilemmas, and concerns in a professional setting. I utilize a highly empathic approach, always keeping in mind your comfort level & sense of security. I believe that psychotherapy can be deeply transformative and healing. I provide you the opportunity to embark upon a process of personal growth and development in an atmosphere of compassion and support. Therapy can be used to address problems as well as existential concerns, dreams, fears, and life transitions. I work with people of all races, sexual orientations, gender identities.

Raynard D. Meridith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with True Thoughts Counseling, LLC. who has obtained over 10 years of clinical experience as a Mental Health Therapist. Raynard focuses his training and skills on the personal and professional develop of individuals desiring to develop coping skills for Life transitions, anger management, trauma experience, and stress management. Raynard also dedicates his service towards the focus of other needs such as effective communication and listening skills, time management, interpersonal conflict resolution, sexual health, career and educational guidance, and licensure supervision.

There are many challenging life events that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, unable to sleep, having a hard time starting or getting through the day, all without improvement. You may have experienced trauma. You may had multiple losses of significant people, relationships or employment. You may have turned to drugs, alcohol, sex to help you cope but these are having a negative effect in your life. Overall, you may not feel like "yourself."

Seeking therapy can be a first step in coping with a difficult period and is an affirming investment in oneself. I believe that healing and empowerment are wholly achievable and begin with a trusting and accepting therapist-client relationship in a supportive therapeutic environment. I approach therapy as a collaborative process of exploration with the goal of achieving greater self-awareness and the ability to manage life in better balance, incorporating mindfulness and a holistic approach to finding relief.

Change can happen when people are given the time and space to learn and process their personal life challenges, and then take action. I would be honored to work with you during the difficult seasons of your life, to help empower you towards the change you need. Your sessions will be guided by your personal story, input and my combined backgrounds in social work and education.

***Now Accepting New Clients/Offering Tele-health Appointments***. Reaching out for the first time and/or starting with a new therapist can be hard and even scary. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you can function better in your day-to-day life, feel empowered, manage stress, heal from traumas, and improve your relationships with others. As your therapist, it is my goal to provide a safe, judgment free, supportive space where we can work together to identify and address what is causing your emotional pain, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, academic/work distress, adjustment concerns, trauma, and/or grief.