Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

By way of a multitude of evidence-based practices, assessments, and appropriate diagnoses my aspiration is to assist individuals in becoming more effective and self-reliant when in the process of resolving problems. I am passionate about promoting such elements of counseling as prevention, advocacy, and empowerment. It is also a strong personal value of mine to support and protect vulnerable individuals from harm. My intention in therapy is to develop a secure and reassuring space to uplift clients as they work towards their personal goals along their mental health and wellness journey.

If you are having relationship conflicts, feeling a lack of self-esteem or low confidence, making poor decisions, going through changes that are causing anxiety and doubts, or wondering if this is what life is supposed to be like, I am here to offer my professional support. Or perhaps you just need that unbiased ear to bounce some immediate issues off of or could use some help with personal goal setting and reaching. Therapy is a way for you to uncover your needs and the therapist is but a guide to help you on your way. I would be honored to walk that path with you.

Do you need someone to walk alongside you as you navigate difficult times and seek personal growth? I am honored to offer a safe place for healing conversations. I have over 10 years of experience working with youth, families and individuals both in Latin America, as well as in the United States.

I work with children, teens, adults, and families struggling with a variety of challenges. I have experience working with families and children pre and post-adoption. I have been trained as a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner specializing in supporting foster and adoptive families heal trauma through developing trust. Additionally, I have experience counseling individuals, families, and caregivers navigate terminal and chronic illnesses. I counsel caregivers and families through anticipatory grief as well as after the loss of a loved one. Trauma, anxiety, and depression are additional areas of focus.

I believe that all clients come to counseling with a personal story that includes important relationships, significant events, and beliefs about themselves and the world. Counseling involves understanding how our stories shape the way we view ourselves, approach challenges, and relate to others. I feel privileged to listen to clients’ stories and help them work towards their own goals for wellness and change.

For whatever reason you are seeking therapy, I want to commend you for taking this first step. I am here for you. For me, the relationship between client and therapist is crucial. It is my goal to create a safe space for my clients to feel comfortable and cared for. Being vulnerable is not easy and having a judgement-free and compassionate environment is essential for us to work together toward your therapy goals.Using a strength-based lens I love to empower my clients to help them recognize their inner strengths. I work from a humanistic approach where I aim to understand my clients from their own identities and upbringing.

Hello. I'm looking forward to being a part of your journey toward happiness and health. In the Great Psychotherapy Debate (Wampold, 2001), studies demonstrated that if there are two groups of people with similar problems, those who receive counseling will be better off than 79% of those who do not receive counseling. Counseling can bring relief, resolution, clarity, freedom, or help you overcome a challenge. My counseling style is encouraging, empowering, nonjudgmental, and thorough. I am trained in many different approaches to the counseling process and I will work to customize a plan that works for you.

The majority of my practice is working with women and "women's issues." Many women seek guidance and counsel as they deal with the stages and changes in their lives. Childbirth through menopause, there are challenges that can provoke thought, action or concerns. Trauma from childhood sexual abuse can cause depression and anxiety. I have worked with many women concerning these issues and with couples struggling with latent affects of abuse. I also work with couple marital issues, parenting issues and teens 12 years and older.

I believe in providing a safe place for clients to express their needs and then to assist them in figuring out the best course to get those needs met. I operate from the premise that most everyone can heal and overcome the difficulties they face. I am trained in various modalities including CBT, SFBT, MI, Narrative therapy, and EMDR and will work with clients to figure out which method or combination of methods will work best for them.

The most inspiring part of being a therapist is the trust clients place in me with their most vulnerable selves. You know yourself best, I'm just here to help along the way. I love working with clients who are eager and open to work on themselves. I’ll be your personal cheerleader and help you over the finish line you’re working toward!

Our lives can be chaotic and we all need support to make sense of the chaos. Challenges in life can be opportunities for growth, and that growth is tough work to do alone. Whether that chaos manifests itself in a battle with depression or anxiety, challenges in a relationship, or navigating life following a transition, loss, or diagnoses, hope and healing are possible.

Not interested in taking medications? At The Well Being, I provide my clients with 10+ years of experience as a therapist, and an opportunity for them to begin using cardiovascular exercise as an effective mental health "medication" . At The Well Being, I offer traditional outpatient counseling services, largely based in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (I was trained at the Beck Institute), while also providing the means for exercise to become a key component of your treatment. This is an alternative evidence-based approach for those who aren't interested in taking medications, or a more comprehensive alternative for those who are.

If you were told you did not matter growing up, through actions or words, this will have an impact on your ability to recognize your worth. Growing up in a home with alcohol abuse, homophobia, emotional abuse, or excessive criticism can lead to feelings of worthlessness, shame, and self hatred. You may seek validation from others and fear their disapproval. This often leads to putting others needs before your own. Not understanding your worth, you may struggle following your dreams or have a career where you feel overworked and under valued. Let's flip the script, heal your wounds, and accept the person you are.

In today's environment, there are so many pressures on individuals, kids, and parents that sometimes it seems overwhelming. Together we can find solutions to make coping with life's stressors easier and more effective. Therapy can help by having someone to talk with, process the stress, and generate solutions unique to the needs of individuals, children, and families. I believe we can work collaboratively to achieve a positive and supportive place where mental and emotional health can thrive.

Each person is on a unique life journey. I look forward to learning where you are on your journey and how I can help you create the life you desire. It is not about dwelling on the past but about using life lessons to move forward in a positive way. Even our most difficult life experiences bring us wisdom, character and integrity. If you are at a low point on your journey, therapy provides an opportunity to sort through the complexities, decrease the feeling of being overwhelmed and make real progress on your current life challenges.