Feminist Therapists in 49002
Lauren Fesler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
I strive to create an open space for you to share your story and be your authentic self. I will work to support you as you navigate your healing journey. You have the right to be heard, feel empowered, and have your beliefs acknowledged. I work off of the empowerment framework pulling techniques from different modalities to tailor sessions to clients’ specific needs
I strive to create an open space for you to share your story and be your authentic self. I will work to support you as you navigate your healing journey. You have the right to be heard, feel empowered, and have your beliefs acknowledged. I work off of the empowerment framework pulling techniques from different modalities to tailor sessions to clients’ specific needs
Margaret L Hunter
Limited Licensed Psychologist, MS, MA, LLP, OTRL
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Overwhelmed, confused, anxiety, frustration, stuck or numb? All relationships (marriage, partners, parenting, work) can create these feelings. Positive changes can happen with a caring and skilled professional. I work with adults and couples in issues of loss, children/adolescence, life changes, blended families, parenting, using a variety of helpful methods. I specialize in a holistic approach including cognitive therapy, DBT, marital/vocational/school issues, assertiveness, relationship support, parenting strategies, behavioral and insight based in a supportive and caring style. I have been a therapist and an educator and I have life experience that connects me with my clients.
Overwhelmed, confused, anxiety, frustration, stuck or numb? All relationships (marriage, partners, parenting, work) can create these feelings. Positive changes can happen with a caring and skilled professional. I work with adults and couples in issues of loss, children/adolescence, life changes, blended families, parenting, using a variety of helpful methods. I specialize in a holistic approach including cognitive therapy, DBT, marital/vocational/school issues, assertiveness, relationship support, parenting strategies, behavioral and insight based in a supportive and caring style. I have been a therapist and an educator and I have life experience that connects me with my clients.
Gabriel Kangas
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, CCS
Verified Verified
Portage, MI 49002 (Online Only)
My personal theoretical foundation is not limited to one approach. I believe it is necessary for counselors to be adaptive. Every client is different and our responses and approaches should be equally diverse. One person may need a cognitive behavioral approach whereas another would be more responsive to brief counseling. This eclectic approach will be applied to all clients. Techniques will vary between clients to best meet the individual client's needs.
My personal theoretical foundation is not limited to one approach. I believe it is necessary for counselors to be adaptive. Every client is different and our responses and approaches should be equally diverse. One person may need a cognitive behavioral approach whereas another would be more responsive to brief counseling. This eclectic approach will be applied to all clients. Techniques will vary between clients to best meet the individual client's needs.
Linda L Herrin
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, ITCA, PLLC, CCTP
Verified Verified
Portage, MI 49002
You are not broken, you are deeply hurt. It is easy to find yourself in unhelpful patterns & ways of being. This might be due to your nervous system being flooded with anger, fear & despair. In a creative way to survive, you have found self-protection strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies are likely no longer helpful. Part of our work together will be unraveling this muscle memory to reveal how you can live a life that is true to you. YOU become the place of self-awareness, peaceful acceptance & intentional action. As a certified trauma professional & art therapist, I integrate these tools into our therapeutic work.
You are not broken, you are deeply hurt. It is easy to find yourself in unhelpful patterns & ways of being. This might be due to your nervous system being flooded with anger, fear & despair. In a creative way to survive, you have found self-protection strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies are likely no longer helpful. Part of our work together will be unraveling this muscle memory to reveal how you can live a life that is true to you. YOU become the place of self-awareness, peaceful acceptance & intentional action. As a certified trauma professional & art therapist, I integrate these tools into our therapeutic work.
Amanda Frey
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LPC, ACS
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Waitlist for new clients
2024 Update: I can take BCBS or self-pay, with availability about a week out (probably for a short time!). To stay true to my specialization and passion, I only accept new clients for relationship counseling purposes (or through a personalized referral). This can be for couples or individual counseling that centers around relationship issues. I also work closely with the queer community (LGBTQ+, nonmonogamy, kink-friendly, etc.), and I love helping clients create and maintain boundaries while becoming their authentic selves.
2024 Update: I can take BCBS or self-pay, with availability about a week out (probably for a short time!). To stay true to my specialization and passion, I only accept new clients for relationship counseling purposes (or through a personalized referral). This can be for couples or individual counseling that centers around relationship issues. I also work closely with the queer community (LGBTQ+, nonmonogamy, kink-friendly, etc.), and I love helping clients create and maintain boundaries while becoming their authentic selves.
Breigh Montgomery
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
My goal is to create a comfortable and safe environment where you can creatively express yourself! I focus on the whole person and use a mix of techniques including mindfulness and creative expression to address a variety of issues. We will work together to set goals and create steps to achieve those goals. Adults that I sit with typically struggle with life transitions, daily stress, trauma, parenting difficulties, depression and/or anxiety related issues. In my work with children, I incorporate caregivers and/or families into sessions regularly because I believe that caregivers play a critical role in a child's development.
My goal is to create a comfortable and safe environment where you can creatively express yourself! I focus on the whole person and use a mix of techniques including mindfulness and creative expression to address a variety of issues. We will work together to set goals and create steps to achieve those goals. Adults that I sit with typically struggle with life transitions, daily stress, trauma, parenting difficulties, depression and/or anxiety related issues. In my work with children, I incorporate caregivers and/or families into sessions regularly because I believe that caregivers play a critical role in a child's development.
Marisa Kowalski
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
I have experience working with people who are facing challenges in their lives. Whether it be mental health, adjusting to a difficult time or stressful life transition, chronic illness and/or chronic pain, processing trauma and grief, work stress, or caregiver stress/burnout I provide a safe and comfortable environment for you to explore and resolve the issues you are dealing with.
I have experience working with people who are facing challenges in their lives. Whether it be mental health, adjusting to a difficult time or stressful life transition, chronic illness and/or chronic pain, processing trauma and grief, work stress, or caregiver stress/burnout I provide a safe and comfortable environment for you to explore and resolve the issues you are dealing with.
Kristen (Kris) Badra
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, LLP, CAADC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Waitlist for new clients
Counseling is a journey that is often filled with self-discovery, new awareness, and difficult choices. Telling your story can bring relief and a new way of looking at the world, and more importantly, a new way of looking at your life. Looking at where you might want to go in your life, or how you want to have better control over your emotions, behaviors, and thoughts are the challenges I’ll help you discover and manage. I have been working in the mental health and substance abuse field for 30 years and bring a variety of therapy techniques, expertise, and life experience to my work with clients.
Counseling is a journey that is often filled with self-discovery, new awareness, and difficult choices. Telling your story can bring relief and a new way of looking at the world, and more importantly, a new way of looking at your life. Looking at where you might want to go in your life, or how you want to have better control over your emotions, behaviors, and thoughts are the challenges I’ll help you discover and manage. I have been working in the mental health and substance abuse field for 30 years and bring a variety of therapy techniques, expertise, and life experience to my work with clients.
Nicole (Wells) Parker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Trauma is defined differently by everyone and NO ONE understands what you are going through like you do. As a therapist trained in EMDR I can use my knowledge to help you process life experiences and provide realistic tools to manage reactions caused by trauma. I have previous work experience in healthcare and I enjoy working with teenagers, adults, and couples. My training and work experience include individuals with histories of complex trauma, personality disorders, trauma affiliated with a religion, addiction(s), grief, sexual health, and medical trauma.
Trauma is defined differently by everyone and NO ONE understands what you are going through like you do. As a therapist trained in EMDR I can use my knowledge to help you process life experiences and provide realistic tools to manage reactions caused by trauma. I have previous work experience in healthcare and I enjoy working with teenagers, adults, and couples. My training and work experience include individuals with histories of complex trauma, personality disorders, trauma affiliated with a religion, addiction(s), grief, sexual health, and medical trauma.
Alyse Lange
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, IBCLC
Verified Verified
Portage, MI 49002 (Online Only)
I am passionate about empowering and supporting individuals and couples as they grow. I recognize my clients as experts on their own lives, and assist them as they learn to identify and leverage their strengths to move toward a healthier place. I have experience assisting with: anxiety, depression, issues that arise throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, infertility & loss, parenting challenges, relationship conflict, navigating life changes, grief, attachment, non-binary, and transgender individuals.
I am passionate about empowering and supporting individuals and couples as they grow. I recognize my clients as experts on their own lives, and assist them as they learn to identify and leverage their strengths to move toward a healthier place. I have experience assisting with: anxiety, depression, issues that arise throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, infertility & loss, parenting challenges, relationship conflict, navigating life changes, grief, attachment, non-binary, and transgender individuals.
Melissa LaCharite
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Waitlist for new clients
I primarily work with children, adolescents, and families. Many of my clients have struggled with life transitions, symptoms of anxiety, depression symptoms, and social skills. Parents are invited to come to sessions to support skills inside and outside the counseling session. Collaborating with the family supports allows for skill acquisition and client empowerment.
I primarily work with children, adolescents, and families. Many of my clients have struggled with life transitions, symptoms of anxiety, depression symptoms, and social skills. Parents are invited to come to sessions to support skills inside and outside the counseling session. Collaborating with the family supports allows for skill acquisition and client empowerment.
Casey Slager
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Portage, MI 49002
Not accepting new clients
My approach to counseling is collaborative in nature. While I have training and experience with counseling modalities and mental health, you are the expert on your own life. By working together, I hope to help you achieve your goals and cultivate positive coping skills. I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for creative self-exploration, to address particular diagnoses such as anxiety and depression, and to provide support in navigating difficult situations.
My approach to counseling is collaborative in nature. While I have training and experience with counseling modalities and mental health, you are the expert on your own life. By working together, I hope to help you achieve your goals and cultivate positive coping skills. I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for creative self-exploration, to address particular diagnoses such as anxiety and depression, and to provide support in navigating difficult situations.
See more therapy options for 49002
Feminist Therapists
How does feminist therapy work?
Feminist therapy sessions are not only personal but often cultural or political in nature, as the approach is based on the belief that people are affected by, and often struggle with, cultural and societal norms and biases, and need to move beyond those external pressures or stressors to tap their own confidence and engage more fully in their own identity. Sessions may therefore include discussions of sexism, diversity, and gender issues and talk of steps toward greater empowerment for patients who believe they have been silenced and seek to raise their voices.
What are examples of feminist therapy techniques?
Along with traditional talk therapy and analysis, a feminist therapist may employ techniques such as role-playing and assertiveness training to help clients build their self-esteem so that they feel they can act freely, and not based on cultural expectations or gender roles dictated by others. A feminist therapist may also engage in bibliotherapy, offering suggested readings on gender identity or social power inequities as they work toward viewing mental-health concerns through a broad cultural lens before focusing on how they affect the individual. Somatic therapy techniques, with an emphasis on body awareness, self-compassion, and mindfulness practices are also often part of feminist therapist practice.
How long does feminist therapy last?
As with most forms of talk therapy, there is no set duration or end point for feminist therapy; people who believe that they are making progress typically continue until they feel they’ve addressed the issues that had been holding them back. It may take some time to become comfortable discussing personal issues, but once a client feels they can do so, they could expect therapy to last for a number of months, typically including at least 12 sessions.
Does feminist therapy work?
As a relatively recent therapeutic technique, there is not yet a body of evidence proving the efficacy of feminist therapy. However, the approach is based on proven core principles of talk therapy, with a particular emphasis on developing a therapeutic relationship based on equality and authentic connection between therapist and client and discovering and building on clients’ personal strengths to help them gain a greater sense of personal power and agency.