Therapists in Ann Arbor, MI

Healing begins when we talk about the pain - I believe one of the largest obstacles to feeling better is asking for help. I also believe that each of us is resilient and has an inner strength that enables us to soldier on while we work through our pain. My goal as your therapist will be to support you and give you the tools you need, while guiding you through the process of healing and resolution so that you may find inner peace and renewed energy.

I believe all people have profound inherent worth, and that self-acceptance and compassion are core components of living well. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional difficulties can cloud our ability to see ourselves as whole, beautiful, functioning people, and I work warmly, respectfully, and joyfully to help my clients get movement in areas where they may feel stuck. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, phobias, grief, and issues related to couples and relationships.

My client has the answers they need inside of them, they just need some perspective. Most of my clients have experienced trauma in their lives in some form, and struggled with finding themselves or finding meaning in their life experience afterward. I enjoy navigating and exploring the full-range of human experience including issues pertaining to identity and sexuality, unearthing fears and anxieties, boundary setting, and building expression in all areas of life.

My own journey in mental health counseling has been shaped by my multicultural heritage and a deep commitment to supporting individuals facing various challenges. Growing up in Arizona as a multi-ethnic man, I learned about the importance of having a sense of belongingness, caring for others, being connected to community, having and offering emotinal safety, and valuing mental health despite cultural stigma around it. I approach therapy as a collaborative journey, drawing from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities to create a personalized and holistic approach for my clients. I am honored to be of service to my clients.

Imagine hearing birds chirping during your therapy session. Or feeling the warm sunshine on your skin and fresh air in your lungs. If being in nature sounds more healing and less intimidating than sitting in an office, then walk and talk therapy may be just what you're looking for! Walking helps the brain to release "feel good" chemicals, helping to alleviate depression and anxiety and reduce stress. Walking decreases negative emotions and promotes mental clarity and positive thinking. It can boost self-esteem, increase energy, improve sleep quality, and allow you to reconnect with the natural world.

I am accepting new clients. Please verify you have insurance that I accept. We all have some form of inner strength or resilience, but that can be hard to access when we’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed or in crisis. Life changes, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, college, work (to name a few) are all factors in our life that can be difficult to navigate at one time or another. Whatever it is that’s motivating you to seek help; you don’t have to go it alone. I provide an emotionally safe, caring, and non-judgmental space where we can work together to find your unique path forward.

I have a deep belief in the ability for you to overcome difficulties. As a therapist, I believe, you are the expert in your experience and it is my role to provide a safe, understanding, and non-judgmental space for you to heal, grow, and move into a new way of being and feeling. But that doesn’t mean you have to figure everything out on your own–we will work together. I am here to support you in your healing journey. Collaboratively, we will set goals on both what you want to achieve and things that you want to rid from your life.

I enjoy working with clients that are motivated for change. We address the need for action behind the intention for change. I have 30 years of experience in counseling adults and teenagers challenged with depression, anxiety, grief and loss. I am trained in Trauma therapy with a Certification in EMDR therapy. Recently, trained in EMDR 2.0. I work with individuals that struggle with past experiences that shape negative beliefs about themselves and through EMDR therapy they can shift to a positive belief about themselves to have a better quality of life.

Are you often not getting what you want out of your relationships? Are you feeling guilt and shame far more than contentment or pride? Are you the parent of a child who is struggling to feel safe and protected in a chaotic world? I collaborate with individuals across the lifespan in addressing the causal factors underlying conditions like anxiety, depression and trauma. I completed an internship and a two year fellowship at University of Michigan Outpatient Psychiatry, where I had the unique opportunity to develop expertise in providing integrative, attachment-oriented psychotherapy for both adults and children.

I provide individual and group psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. My work with children is specific to gender identity. My clinical work is focused on eating disorders, gender identity, LGBTQQ+ concerns, multicultural counseling, survivors of sexualized violence and trauma. I work with clients through a social justice and holistic health lens that emphasizes the inseparable connection between our mind, body, and environment. My approach to therapy is strength-based and client centered rooted in cultural humility. I incorporate mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based techniques depending upon the goals of each client.

My approach is a collaborative one as I feel my my role is to help each individual find the strengths and skills already within them to manage their lives. Each individual determines their own needs, and goals while I help guide them to where they want to be.

I invite you to a safe and compassionate space to untangle and release difficulties that interfere with your quality or functioning in life. Taking a look at hurts can help normalize and clarify confusing or negative behavior, thoughts, and emotions to integrate past experiences. Embodiment, mindfulness, and somatic experiential practices lead you to gain physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. These practical techniques, along with education, and therapeutic processing will guide you along your path to integrated health and the resilience needed to manage the most stressful circumstances. You become your own best friend.

Amy Pershing is the President of the Center for Eating Disorders and Founding Director of "Bodywise," the first comprehensive treatment program for binge eating disorder (BED) in the United States. Pershing lectures internationally on the treatment of BED and her own recovery journey and has been featured on numerous radio and television programs speaking about BED treatment and recovery. Pershing is the author of Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery and Beyond (Routledge, 2018), and "Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Bingeing And Body Image: A Trauma-Informed Workbook ", with co-authors Judith Matz and Christy Harrison.

Hello and welcome! I’m excited you’re considering therapy to help you on your journey and am honored you are here. I am a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, educational stress, life transitions, and self-esteem.

You're exhausted from trying to hold it together. No matter how hard you try, your body won't let go of trauma and stress. You are constantly on alert. It feels like there's always a threat. You feel as though something you wrong with you. You worry that you are broken. It seems like you have lost your way, but you know there is more to you than your past. You are ready to heal and no longer want to be stuck in the past. You're not ready to give up. You know this is the time for change but you aren't sure where to turn or what to do. You are ready to release the trauma trapped inside.

I often work with people who have experienced stress and trauma in their life. They have often used disconnection from themselves and the world to cope with feeling unsafe or powerless. They feel they have had to mask who they are or what they are feeling in order to have relationships. My hope is to build a "safe enough" client/counselor relationship in which all parts of you can feel welcome. The therapeutic relationship often mirrors other relationships in your life, so I will be addressing our relationship dynamics and communication as part of the therapeutic process.

My goal is to bring to you, as my client, a safe place to explore what will give you the most support for growth you want. My office is also a place to learn and try out new coping skills. I am a mentor with shelves of tools, some of which will fit the life you want to go out and have; others which may not meet your style. An ideal relationship will give you client room to open yourself to thoughts and feelings and learn what you want and need and how to express that in healthy ways.

Do you feel like past or current challenges affect your ability to meet your full potential? Are you feeling lost, powerless, or disengaged? Have you noticed yourself resorting to unwanted activities to cope with distress? Are you seeking a therapeutic space that acknowledges you as a whole, complex person while you work toward your goals? I work with individuals, families, and couples to address these concerns. As your therapist, I feel passionate about empowering you with tools to live a full, cognizant, and rewarding life. Together, we work collaboratively to navigate life stressors affecting your quality of life.

Are you struggling with trauma triggers, PTSD, anxiety, low mood, depression, difficulty managing emotions, stress, life transitions, health anxiety, or unresolved challenges? Whether you're dealing with past trauma or present-day stressors, I'll work with you to find solutions tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. I work with people of all genders, commonly ages 18-40. I work with various types of trauma though trauma related to sexual harm is my specialty. I believe that therapy is a collaborative process, and I'll work with you to help you achieve your goals, reduce suffering, and increase life's meaning and joy.