Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

Welcome to Speakeasy Therapy. I know how much courage it takes to make this first step. But once you do, I'll be with you the rest of the way. I am a relational therapist. My goal for you is that you feel consistently supported through the highs and lows of your therapy journey. I'll bring the skill and support, you bring the material, and together we uncover and remove blocks to authenticity, loving & connected relationships, and a fulfilling life.

With mindfulness- and compassion-based therapy, I support clients through grief & loss, relationship issues, healing from trauma, and searching for meaning & purpose. So many of the issues that bring people to therapy are natural responses to the challenges we face as human beings. Through the process of therapy, we bring curiosity and compassion to our inner experience; and in the safety of a non-judgmental space, we explore options for understanding and growth.

We all go through various challenges in life, and some may be easier to navigate alone than others. Just like going to a doctor to maintain your physical health, meeting with a counselor can be a vital part of maintaining your mental health. Therapy can provide you with the tools necessary for working through challenges in your life. As well as improving your overall wellness, counseling can also help you with developing a better understanding of yourself. Throughout the counseling process, you can develop skills for improving your relationships, coping with life stressors, and emotional pressures.

Welcome, I’m glad you are here. Deciding to make changes in your life and asking for help is a big and sometimes scary step. I am here to help you with that. We are here to explore your uniquely you story. Counseling is a journey. Like all journeys, it is unique and special. Some paths may be tougher than others. Some people may encounter some bad weather along the way. However, more often than not, the view is always worth the journey. My goal as a therapist is to walk the path with you as a guide, not as an expert. You get to determine the path; I help navigate the tough times.

Taking the first step towards therapy is often the most difficult. I strive to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere in which to build a caring and collaborative therapeutic relationship where the client and the therapist work as a team. In working with my clients, I practice a strength-based approach where helping my clients with wellness, self-growth, and exploration is vital and foremost. I am particularly interested in trying to help clients feel more like the authors of their own lives, so that they can achieve what they hope for in all areas of their life.

Life is full of challenges, which at times, may seem overwhelming. I applaud your courage as you take the first step towards personal growth and empowerment by reaching out for help. You are the expert of your life, and my goal is to meet you where you are at. Together, we can find which road works best for you and I will walk beside you on your journey of self-discovery. It is my belief that everyone has tremendous potential and that we all have something unique to give to ourselves, our loved ones and the world as a whole.

Maria A. Williams, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University, with an Interpersonal Practice scope. Maria has experience working with children of all ages, teens, young adults and families. Maria has shown to be effective in developing healthy long-lasting therapeutic relationships. She has experience working with many life themes; grief, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, academics, teen pregnancy, foster care, substance use, social media, and other difficult issues that adolescents, teens, and adults face.

Welcome! I have 2 core therapy philosophies: First, your thoughts will mislead you, if unexamined. Second: "Live Your Best Life" - not your diagnoses or issues. You're here because: 1. You're suffering from painful thoughts and overwhelming feelings; 2. Self-destructive habits are harming your progress and relationships; 3. You want to Safely collaborate with a warm, dynamic expert to solve confusing issues. I can help! I'm a Seasoned, Clinically-Licensed Therapist employing: CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy); DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy); S/A (Substance Abuse Therapy); MAT (Mindfulness Awareness Training) and TIP (Thought Inquiry Power).

Are you feeling stuck, and unsure how to move forward? Its hard figuring out where to start, whether it be one big event or many smaller things piling up over time. Everyone could use some extra support at times, and it takes a lot of courage to talk about the struggles in your life. My specialty is creating a supportive environment to process troubling areas and provide opportunities to improve desired skills and achieve your goals. I provide counseling for adolescents and adults to improve functioning and self-satisfaction. Counseling is a collaborative process, and I look forward to working alongside you to achieve your goals!

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life! While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties, there's nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. I provide long lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, redirect damaging patterns and overcome whatever challenges you may face! I can also help you attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values. Develop skills for improving your relationships. Cope with stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional pressures. Most importantly improve your self-esteem and boost your self confidence!

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.

I believe that clients have within themselves an amazing ability to self-heal, and the role of the counselor is to find and tap into that ability. I also believe it is important to learn about each client's world and to develop a relationship where clients can feel understood and supported while learning about themselves. This creates the space for exploring the choices they have and any changes they may want to make toward more personal fulfillment. Therapy for children may involve consultation with parents who need support meeting their child's challenges. Play therapy is used with children.

Listening Tree Therapy is accepting new patients in a virtual setting at this time. I take pride in scheduling new patient sessions quickly while taking into account your schedule. Virtual appointments have proven to be both safe, effective and covered by insurance. Many patients find telemedicine convenient for their busy schedules, saving money and travel time. Many patients like the safety of being in their own space when meeting online. Please don’t sit in silence when help is just a phone call or an email away. Please reach out today so we can get you started on a healthier, happier lifestyle!

Therapy is one of the most invaluable experiences an individual can endure. My goal as a therapist is to create a warm, safe, and trusting environment for my clients. I use a holistic approach, specifically utilizing psychodynamic theory, mindfulness, somatic therapy, CBT, SFBT, and feminist theory. I believe the mind, body, and soul connection is vital in reaching our most authentic selves.

If you are considering therapy, I commend you for making the decision to improve your life. I meet my clients where they are, work together to set goals, and then we meet those goals. I use my wide range of knowledge and experiences to best serve my clients and their individual needs. I believe that everyone is learning and hope that if you choose to pursue therapy you will come out with a better understanding of yourself and your relation with the rest of the world. As a master's limited psychologist, I practice under the supervision of Dr. Julie Meredith Davis, a fully Licensed Psychologist.

As a holistic-minded therapist who works with both individuals and couples, I see the counseling process as an opportunity to examine old ways of relating to oneself and explore new ways of interacting. I use a whole-body approach to guide clients in becoming more self-aware and finding the strength to initiate long-term positive change for themselves. With couples, my goal is to improve intimacy and commitment using a research-based approach that identifies your strengths, and models healthy relationship patterns. I will walk with you as we navigate creating new interactions and a happier, stronger partnership.

We live in a world that is changing every day often creating stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and grief. My role is to walk alongside to provide support and perspective. Each individual is unique and an expert in their own journey. I encourage my clients to pursue their own authentic self while working to debunk societal norms that may be holding them back. I take a trauma informed approach that starts by bringing awareness to our body. I enjoy working with those who are 13+ (adults) to navigate relationship issues, depression, disordered eating; supporting friends and family members associated to persons with substance abuse issues.

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.

Each of us face challenges of all sizes every day and sometimes those challenges begin to weigh on us and take a toll. In today’s world many of us are facing a great deal of pressure to be all we can be without an opportunity to stop and consider who we really want to be; without a way to release that stress we often begin to feel overwhelmed. Counseling provides that opportunity to work through life’s stress piece by piece, rather than taking on life’s challenges all at once and beginning to better understand yourself in the process.