Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

As parents, we can feel overwhelmed by the task of raising successful, happy children and life these days sure doesn't make it any easier. My goal as a therapist is to provide kids, teens, and adults with tools to not only heal, but to thrive.

Everybody deals with relational challenges, whether it’s communication struggles with a loved one, wounds you experienced years ago or coming out to a family member. Some of these conversations can be especially challenging for people of faith or creed who feel like they are in conflict with their beliefs. Through counseling, you can figure out how to navigate challenging relationships and deal with the relational pain you’ve experienced throughout life.

Are you a mom or helping professional feeling burned out? Have you found talk therapy helpful but want to try experiential therapy to get to the root of issues? Have you heard about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and are interested in experiencing the model? IFS has been described as “what I hoped therapy would be” because it's genuinely compassionate and non-pathologizing. Instead of trying to force change, IFS facilitates organic transformation through a process of connecting with thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

When you think about your relationship, do you ever wonder “how did we get here?!” If so, then I am definitely the counselor you should meet with. I am a firm believer that each relationship we have impacts us in one way or another because, well… they do! I specialize in working with couples and families to assist them in building their communication skills, healing, and strengthening their relationships. I am especially passionate about pre-engagement or premarital counseling, divorce recovery, parallel parenting, family therapy, working with blended families, teens, and working with people of the LGBTQ community.

I believe in a Strength-Based approach to therapy. My belief is to start with what is working (even if it is just a little bit) and build from there. I encourage the client to have an active voice in the treatment process and to be involved in their clinical goal setting. I find that CBT and somatic techniques are helpful with many clients and utilize a variety of skills and activities to help clients learn and use these techniques in their daily life.

Life is difficult. With the right tools and some effort, it does not have to be. My hope is to help you with your goals. Whether that is to feel better (less depressed, anxious or angry), improve your relationships (with a spouse, parent, child, etc.), change your behaviors (substance use, self harm, avoidance), or anything else that is important to you, I'd love the opportunity to help. I enjoy working with a number of different presenting problems. My passions are working with teens/adults, men's issues (especially navigating work and/or family life), post-partum Dad's, athletes and substance use/co-occurring disorders.

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.

The relationship between client and clinician is a key component of treatment efficacy. I believe that this therapeutic relationship is founded in a spirit of collaboration, an emotional bond and an agreement on goals and tasks. Two main characteristics of therapy are critical to the building of this therapeutic alliance: expertise and compassion. I am confident in my ability to help resolve any issues in a satisfying manner, prepared in both theory and practice, clear in my thoughts, ideas, and logical in the problem solving process. Of equal importance, I am accepting, understanding and genuinely interested in you and your needs.

It can be difficult to begin the process of therapy. I am honored to support couples, families and individuals who want to begin to do that work. I offer a relational space that focuses on feeling safe and understood. My approach is from a family systems lens with somatic influences. It is the focus of my work to support the repair of broken relationships with others and one self through emotional exploration. Areas of interest include but are not limited to family and couple relationships, sexual intimacy, non-traditional families, addiction, high conflict, the family court system, play therapy and more.

I believe that through a safe and judgment-free therapeutic relationship true growth, empowerment, and healing can occur in any individual's life. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have an extensive range of clinical experience providing mental health services for depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, family and relationship issues, career exploration, and the LGBT population. All are welcome here. I see clients starting at age 13 through adult and welcome you to take a step towards a better quality of life and self care by contacting me to set up an appointment.

I am Clinical Therapist with over 10 years of experience working primarily with children, teens, and young adults. I use various play techniques and engaging activities to learn about the areas of need a child may have and what kinds of behaviors those needs have impacted. I am happy to work with parents who might be needing guidance or feedback regarding their children's behaviors or mental health needs as well. In addition to working with children, I also see some adolescents and young adults struggling with life changes and other mental health needs.

Do you feel stuck having the same arguments where you know how things will end before it begins? Everyone experiences periods of difficulties as life changes and turns in unexpected directions. Whatever difficulties you are facing, you do not need to face them alone. As a marriage and family therapist, I will provide you and your family the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges in a safe, warm and understanding environment. Seeking help is not always easy although it can be rewarding.

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!

How are you going to get through this day, this issue, this relationship? You're trying to keep up with all of the demands with work, at home, with friends or family, it seems like no matter what you do, it's never enough. And now that it's all catching up to you, you've reached your limit. You're stressed out, overwhelmed, and exhausted. You've tried everything, the anxiety just won't go away. You want to live your life without fear or worries that hold you back from making your goals your reality.

I interlace myriad strategies for assuaging complex trauma, increasing vulnerability, improving emotional and physical intimacy, strengthening relationships, and decreasing the disconnecting symptoms of anxiety, depression, and personality disorders, specifically Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

I believe that each individual brings a unique set of skills and opportunities. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults on a variety of issues; including family systems, relational issues, coping skills, anxiety, depression, and school issues.

I believe healing begins with warmth, trust, and consistent encouragement. Do you experience issues with hardships and trauma in the past, difficult romantic and family relationships, life's challenges, anxiety and depression? Do you want to live a happier and more fulfilling life, feel more self love and acceptance? I am here to help you improve your relationships, process and grow from trauma, better manage anxiety improve your overall mood and decrease daily interferences from your mental health.

I grew up in a very large family and learned at a young age what mental health issues looked like. I believe in being present in the here and now and allowing my clients the opportunity to fully express their emotions in a safe environment.

Jennifer has been working in the field since 2008 with children, adolescents and adults. She has experience in the areas of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, family adjustment and life change events. She has a special interest in the LGBTQIA+ populations. She enjoys partnering clients as they navigate life’s many challenges. Jennifer often works from a balance of interpersonal, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapies. She appreciates that a therapeutic relationship is built on trust and respect.