Therapists in Creston, Grand Rapids, MI

Considering therapy? Welcome! Stepping into therapy can feel overwhelming and intimidating at the beginning. As a counselor, it is my hope is to create a space where you feel embraced, safe and can express yourself freely without fear or judgment. My aim is to walk with you through your story to help restore balance to your life. In doing so, we can work to build an understanding of how present and past events, emotional experiences, and relationships have shaped your life.

Carolyn has been working with children and families for over 25 years. She specializes in treating children and families and provides parenting support for caregivers with children/adolescents who have behavioral health concerns and conducts individual and family therapy. Carolyn also has expertise with Highly Sensitive People (HSP), including children (HSC). This is a normal biological trait in personality and physiology inherited by about 20% of the population. HSP's have sensitive nervous systems and feel things deeply, notice more in their environment and are easily overstimulated by sensory input in their environment.

Through my experience as a therapist, I have learned that asking stimulating questions in a trusting, safe, non-judgmental space empowers people to process past experiences and understand how their history impacts them today. Over the years I have found there is no “one way” approach to therapy. My approach to therapy is eclectic, supportive and collaborative. My philosophical belief is that therapy is a place where you can reflect on how to best navigate your life. I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2017 with a Masters degree in Professional Counseling after being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force.

Couples with young kiddo are particularly at risk for marriage and family strife because they are so busy, and because there is so much that is new to their brains, emotions and relationship. Figuring out how to be both mom and dad as well as husband and wife is often overwhelming and troubling. Tension builds when the relationship energy gets split between kiddos needs (and there are a lot of them!) and marriage needs (and those are valid as well). The energy to figure out how to integrate all those needs, wants, wishes becomes divided and divisive. Disconnected and discontent brew and relationship trouble stews. What to do?

We find ourselves traveling down the same roads all the time, same route to work, school, and even family and friends' houses. Sometimes we become so used to the way we are living that change is often difficult to achieve. I believe this is because we are stuck in ways of thinking because we have done it for as long as we can remember. "That's just the way I am." If you are looking to find a new way of doing things because you are unsatisfied or stuck in a rut, I would love to help you navigate change.

What if you could learn to view difficult emotions as an opportunity for growth instead of a weakness? It’s true that suffering is universal, but with the right perspective you can learn to see that as a gift; a source of energy you can use to propel you towards your life’s goals and eventual contentment. Many seek to find happiness by changing their circumstances, but I hope to show you that accepting your current circumstances is the key to permanent change. My calling is to help you find peace and contentment, specializing in depression and anxiety, addiction, grief, existential concerns and parenting skills.

I work with individuals, teens and couples dealing with issues including ineffective communication, spiritual struggles, depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, high stress, perfectionism, divorce, fertility issues and more. If you are struggling with worrying too much, feeling down all the time, connecting with your young adult, unsure how to co-parent, need help with saving your relationship, or are just looking to make changes in your life, I can help. I create a safe and welcoming environment that starts with understanding and works toward change.