Photo of Danielle Portillo, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Danielle Portillo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, LMSW, SSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
Work has included prisoner reentry programs, family housing outreach, migrant education, school social work, refugee & immigrant support, after school programs, teaching English & Interpreting, & wholistic health.
My work as a therapist is grounded in the core values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized to client's expressive nature. I work with clients who would like to challenge their growth and get to know themselves in order become a better version of who they are. I believe that each of us has a life path and holds the capacity to authentically contribute to our world in a unique & positive manner.
Work has included prisoner reentry programs, family housing outreach, migrant education, school social work, refugee & immigrant support, after school programs, teaching English & Interpreting, & wholistic health.
My work as a therapist is grounded in the core values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized to client's expressive nature. I work with clients who would like to challenge their growth and get to know themselves in order become a better version of who they are. I believe that each of us has a life path and holds the capacity to authentically contribute to our world in a unique & positive manner.
(231) 262-5629 View (231) 262-5629
Photo of Lindsay Dalman, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Lindsay Dalman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
You want to feel better, increase self confidence and gain more coping skills. Life gets overwhelming, and you are tired of feeling stuck or living in survival mode. You desire support to help process emotions, parenting, family relationships or life changes. Talking with someone who will validate your experiences is important to you. Having a safe space to explore your emotions and strengthen coping skills matters, you want to prioritize yourself in this space. It’s time to feel confident again and challenge those thoughts keeping you stuck to help move you forward into the life that you want. The life that you deserve!
You want to feel better, increase self confidence and gain more coping skills. Life gets overwhelming, and you are tired of feeling stuck or living in survival mode. You desire support to help process emotions, parenting, family relationships or life changes. Talking with someone who will validate your experiences is important to you. Having a safe space to explore your emotions and strengthen coping skills matters, you want to prioritize yourself in this space. It’s time to feel confident again and challenge those thoughts keeping you stuck to help move you forward into the life that you want. The life that you deserve!
(616) 739-6401 View (616) 739-6401
Photo of Trisha A Novak, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Trisha A Novak
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Embarking on counseling takes courage as you take proactive steps towards change. Courage to recognize your life isn’t the way you want it and that it can be different, that you can feel different. Life presents us with challenges, and at times, we all need help in navigating them. Whether it’s coping with a loss of dream, managing anxiety, processing grief, or facing feelings of overwhelm or burnout, seeking help is a valuable step. When challenges accumulate, support can be crucial to navigate complex relationships, disappointments, and address mental health issues through building resilience and cultivating self-awareness.
Embarking on counseling takes courage as you take proactive steps towards change. Courage to recognize your life isn’t the way you want it and that it can be different, that you can feel different. Life presents us with challenges, and at times, we all need help in navigating them. Whether it’s coping with a loss of dream, managing anxiety, processing grief, or facing feelings of overwhelm or burnout, seeking help is a valuable step. When challenges accumulate, support can be crucial to navigate complex relationships, disappointments, and address mental health issues through building resilience and cultivating self-awareness.
(231) 535-9161 View (231) 535-9161
Photo of Emma Smith, Counselor in 49686, MI
Emma Smith
Counselor, MA, LLPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
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.
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.
(231) 310-1766 View (231) 310-1766
Photo of Kristen VanDerKolk, Licensed Professional Counselor in 49686, MI
Kristen VanDerKolk
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Waitlist for new clients
I consider counseling a safe space to share struggles that we are facing in this world. Life can be hard, lonely, and overwhelming at times for all ages. Having support for yourself as you navigate through difficult feelings, situations, and decisions is what counseling provides. I believe that we all want to live at our true potential and sometimes that takes a refresh or deep look at how we are currently functioning. Life is a journey meant to be experienced with others.
I consider counseling a safe space to share struggles that we are facing in this world. Life can be hard, lonely, and overwhelming at times for all ages. Having support for yourself as you navigate through difficult feelings, situations, and decisions is what counseling provides. I believe that we all want to live at our true potential and sometimes that takes a refresh or deep look at how we are currently functioning. Life is a journey meant to be experienced with others.
(231) 259-9938 View (231) 259-9938
Photo of Kerrie Grow McLean, Psychologist in 49686, MI
Kerrie Grow McLean
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
As a licensed clinical psychologist I provide brief and long term therapy specializing in treating sexual issues and helping clients improve the satisfaction in their relationships. Working with both individuals and couples, my practice focuses on guiding clients to live a more authentic and fulfilling life through greater intimate connection.
As a licensed clinical psychologist I provide brief and long term therapy specializing in treating sexual issues and helping clients improve the satisfaction in their relationships. Working with both individuals and couples, my practice focuses on guiding clients to live a more authentic and fulfilling life through greater intimate connection.
(231) 357-6178 View (231) 357-6178
Photo of Linda Smith, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Linda Smith
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
(231) 790-2549 View (231) 790-2549
Photo of Michelle M Newman, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Michelle M Newman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
In today's world, parenting is challenging. In many cases, we are raising our children with little support from others. And, our children are faced with a great deal of stress and outside influence such as social media, high education standards, and reduced opportunity for success after graduation. As a parent, you want your children to be happy, self-confident, and contributing members of society.
In today's world, parenting is challenging. In many cases, we are raising our children with little support from others. And, our children are faced with a great deal of stress and outside influence such as social media, high education standards, and reduced opportunity for success after graduation. As a parent, you want your children to be happy, self-confident, and contributing members of society.
(231) 518-9237 View (231) 518-9237
Photo of Allison Wilson, Counselor in 49686, MI
Allison Wilson
Counselor, MS, LPC
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Not accepting new clients
Life has a way of wearing us down, sometimes it is a slow erosion over time and sometimes it swiftly takes our breath away. Perhaps you're battling depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, life transitions, parenting challenges, or relationship stress. Or maybe you're providing care for a child or adolescent who is struggling with typical or unique challenges and need additional support.
Life has a way of wearing us down, sometimes it is a slow erosion over time and sometimes it swiftly takes our breath away. Perhaps you're battling depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, life transitions, parenting challenges, or relationship stress. Or maybe you're providing care for a child or adolescent who is struggling with typical or unique challenges and need additional support.
(231) 201-3598 View (231) 201-3598

See more therapy options for 49686

Family Therapy

What do family therapists do?

A family therapist facilitates the process of understanding and improving how a family functions. The therapist will help family members develop empathy for one another. They’ll seek to understand existing patterns, misunderstandings, and conflicts that arise, in order to help the family arrive at a realistic, unified understanding and develop the coping skills they need to build stronger relationships.

How long does therapy for families take to work?

Therapy manifests differently in every family; a common time frame is 12 weekly sessions, but some families may see improvement after just a few weeks. Families should discuss their goals with the therapist at the beginning of the process and periodically revisit those goals to assess their progress together.

How can you encourage a family member to attend family therapy?

You can encourage family members to attend therapy by expressing with both love and concern the challenges you see and explaining how a therapist could help the family navigate those challenges together. An outside perspective can help everyone feel heard, get on the same page, and develop new skills. If family members are still hesitant, it may be helpful to emphasize that family therapy is short-term—it won’t last forever.

Is therapy for families effective?

Family therapy can significantly improve family dynamics and relationships. Research suggests that family therapy can help individuals understand their role in the family, communicate and solve problems together, reduce conflict and draw boundaries when necessary, and develop coping skills for stressors, major life changes, and mental or physical illnesses within the family.