Existential Therapists in Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, MI

What would you do tomorrow if you woke up free from that little voice of doubt, anxiety, and self-loathing? As a therapist, I love to explore the answer to that question with you. It’s my belief that we all are deserving of living into our greatest selves, but that this voice and its irrational nature prevent us from doing so. In an effort to change its narrative, we work together to explore, challenge, and reframe the negative core beliefs at the root of your suffering. It is the dual process of building self-awareness through empathetic exploration of blind-spots and the development of a strong therapeutic connection.

I believe that the counseling session should be a place where people can take a break from the daily grind and invest in themselves in meaningful ways. In my practice, I encourage individuals to share the richness of their life stories, to replace oppressive thought patterns, and to reclaim their unique contribution to the world. My approach to counseling is integrated. I believe that unique individuals require unique therapy. It is my job to shape the therapeutic experience to best fit the needs of the individual.

Have you ever envisioned a morning where the first thing you feel isn't self-doubt and nagging anxiety? Perhaps, you've noticed that your only reprieve from the constant looping of worry has been a brief moment out in nature? Welcome to Walk and Talk Michigan, where we hold a deep understanding of both the intricate nature of anxiety and the profound impact that emerges from merging nature, movement, and traditional therapeutic techniques.

Vulnerability: while rewarding, can be daunting. It isn’t easy to let someone into your internal landscape and I value the possibility of learning yours. My name is Sam and I work with clients to become intimately comfortable with the buried and beautifully impactful aspects of themselves. Often, the relationship to yourself contributes to how your days unfold in the world around you. When was the last time you heard or nurtured the parts of yourself that long for you? In doing so, a gateway opens up to a sense of self-worth that will allow you to experience yourself and your environment with a new lens.

I am in the business of helping you become the best version of yourself. Rather than focusing on just your symptoms, I facilitate your personal development and wellness. I explore life narratives, experiences in families, gender roles and cultural systems, but most importantly, I will hear you, see you and provide you a safe and challenging relationship to heal and grow. I consider it a privilege to be a trusted professional with my clients who courageously reveal vulnerabilities while building on their gifts. The path of becoming more conscious--a healthier you--is a path for courageous and bold individuals.

I am a Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst on the faculty of the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute and I welcome individual adults whom are questioning why their attempts to improve the quality of their life is not working. A questioning individual suggests to me a person whom wants to change and live more creatively. Often there can be mixed feelings about change. I recognize that change is difficult. I feel that self exploration is a challenging enterprise that often requires courage and risk. I would like to help you understand why your best efforts have not worked.

Life has a way of knocking us down, doesn’t it? It can be tough to create a life that feels fulfilling. We can find ourselves dissatisfied in our relationships, career, or life, and it can be difficult to shake the nagging sense that life has not turned out how we expected or hoped. Perhaps, you are struggling with a difficult boss or a job that doesn’t quite seem to fit your skill set. Or perhaps, no matter matter how hard you try you cannot seem to make progress with your relationships (whether that be your spouse, significant other, family, or friends), and it continues to be distant, disconnected, or conflicted.

I have 44 years experience in helping couples recover from affairs, manage conflict, improve communication and intimacy.

I believe it is a privilege to work with individuals who are courageous enough to face the painful experiences and emotions that often hold us back from being our most authentic selves. It is my mission to provide you with the tools to safely explore your inner world. I will journey with you towards meaningful transformation and behavior change so you can awaken the best version of you that already lies within! I do this in a way that is kind and genuine, and I am truly passionate about the sacred work of assisting others in self growth.

We all have times when we need help with getting through the challenges of life. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, other mental health concerns; or perhaps parenting a child with emotional and behavioral concerns, I am glad to help. I have twenty plus years of experience working with individuals and families in settings including: partial hospitalization, preschool, juvenile court, adolescent residential treatment, nonprofit organizations and community mental health. Contact me to discuss your needs and how I may best assist you, or your child/family.

Tracy Thompson is the owner of the Family Therapy Place, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Tracy specializes in working with children and families who have discovered that life can be a tough journey. Tracy’s training and speciality is with children who have experienced developmental trauma, often due to neglect or abuse. Tracy has a strong belief and training in the experiences of attachment and works with families to rebuild and nurture attachments when they have been broken. Tracy also works with adult families that are working to manage and resolve conflict that has surfaced or created separation within the family.

Your life looks good on the outside but you are struggling on the inside. You try to be grateful but feel disconnected from your purpose and the people you love. You've tried to do everything right but secretly wonder if you've gotten it all wrong. The stress of your internal tug-of-war has left you feeling like a wave of anxiety or depression may hit at any moment.

As an integrative therapist, I’m here to help you feel whole again. If you struggle with trauma or other experiences that are difficult to let go of, I’m here to help you reconnect all your parts and come together as a whole person. Through our treatment together, you’ll be able to recognize the resiliency within you that is needed to take on life’s challenges and heal from those challenges you have already faced. All your parts will be welcomed with open arms and nonjudgement, understanding that the experiences you have had have led you to where you are today. I know that you are doing the best you can and want to do better.

My goal is to assist you in finding healthier coping skills, identify your own patterns, and to have a safe place to express your emotions without judgement. Whether you are looking to improve personal boundaries, process past trauma, manage anxiety/depression, develop communication skills, or just process life.

I am a strong believer in the power of human connection and communication and have witnessed the power of this connection in fostering growth, healing, and reaching one’s goals in life. I strive to provide a warm and nurturing relationship with clients, where they feel safe to explore their experiences and patterns through this connection. I provide thoughtful and effective treatment plans by using evidence-based interventions tailored to each individual. I believe therapy should be collaborative, supportive, and playful!

Alexa has spent her life gaining personal and career experiences to provide support and empathy to those who could benefit from an experienced and empathetic emotional wellness partner. With a Masters degree in Social Work from GVSU, experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Alexa comes to your table to be on your team as a partner, mentor, and support person, to help you navigate the twists and turns that life will throw your way.

At Blue Thistle Therapy, I value holistic healing and authenticity. My practice is rooted in relationship-based counseling, and I dig deep in order to connect with the real you. I am not a “smile and nod” therapist. I believe that therapy should be challenging, and I’m here to partner with you in your journey toward positive growth.

We are all constantly developing and growing as people and sometimes life puts us in uncomfortable positions where we have difficult yet inevitable change. In these moments therapy can be a beautiful space to navigate new circumstances and environments and who we want to be amongst these changes. I am ready to help you with whatever you are going through including: Anxiety & Depression, Friendship & Relationship Issues, Life Changes and Identity Development, Spiritual Issues & Religious Deconstruction, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I serve a broad range of individuals and all are welcome.

During an interview for the clinic I have been working at for 10 years I was asked "what kind of clients do you enjoy working with the most?" I know they were asking about specific diagnoses or other demographics but my answer was "I really like working with people who show up." I didn't just mean people who come to sessions, I meant people who are willing to be an active participant in their therapy. There are so many factors that contribute to your current situation. I want to explore as many of those factors as possible with you to help you understand yourself better so you can make better choices of how to proceed in your life.