Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Let’s be real. Like really real... Life can be more than hard at times, relentless even! When life happens, it can feel unbearable. Life can also feel very lonely and isolating. I am here to tell you that you are not alone because that is where I come in! I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University. I have personal and professional experience working with youth in foster care, adoption, neurodivergence, people experiencing homelessness, and concerns related to intergenerational trauma, spiritual confusion, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem.

Life is full of changes, difficult times and sometimes crisis that can require some extra help navigating. You are in the right place exploring professionals that can help during those times in life. Finding the right therapist, where trusting rapport is built, is an investment in yourself and your mental health. With nearly 20 years of social work experience, I am confident that together we can navigate through a variety of life’s trials including dealing with a significant loss, adjusting to a difficult transition, working through complicated situations and relationships, and improving your mindset and self-esteem.

Accepting new clients. I’m glad you are here because asking for help can be difficult and takes vulnerability and strength. My hope is to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for my clients to ensure they feel secure when talking about their experiences. Together we can work through old wounds, past traumas, and patterns that no longer serve you. We can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and create a brighter future for you.

Melissa has experience working with adults, college age students, and adolescents. Clinical issues that she has the most experience with includes personality disorders, depression, trauma, grief, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem issues, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, and stress management. A main focus of treatment is to establish a therapeutic alliance with the client. Melissa believes that having a good connection helps facilitate effective counseling and provides the best outcomes. In therapy, she is supportive, compassionate, and present with individuals both in times of struggle as well as times of achievement.

Many couples fall in love and set down the path of creating a life together. They manage small challenges and hurts in stride, yet one day they wake up and wonder how they got to this place. They find past hurts continue to surface throughout every argument, yet they don’t know why. Resentment builds, and each partner begins to feel alone despite being in a committed relationship. Some might even wonder how they ever fell in love with this person. Imagine if you didn’t feel this way. It can be a challenge, but couples do find connection again. You can find new ways to communicate, solve problems, and support one another.

I believe it is a privilege to work with individuals who are courageous enough to face the painful experiences and emotions that often hold us back from being our most authentic selves. It is my mission to provide you with the tools to safely explore your inner world. I will journey with you towards meaningful transformation and behavior change so you can awaken the best version of you that already lies within! I do this in a way that is kind and genuine, and I am truly passionate about the sacred work of assisting others in self growth.

Conflict infiltrates much of our day to day lives - in communities, workplaces, relationships, and even within ourselves. Sometimes we avoid conflict by running away, exacerbate it by fighting, or get overwhelmed, disconnect, and shut down. We survive. These survival instincts impact our inner parts and our interpersonal relationships. I desire to help people get to know their complex inner parts, reconnect and integrate their minds and bodies, and bring healing to relationships. As a therapist, I get to witness people transform, move from surviving to thriving, and learn how to embrace living mindfully. It is an honor.

I value working with people who have discovered that they are out of alignment within their relationships or feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of their lives. I am passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families. I am committed to helping my clients learn how to better understand themselves, develop healthier relationships, and live more authentically and fully. In practice, I value working with clients who have difficulties with anxiety, depression, relationships, trauma, self-esteem, and life transitions, and are willing to begin the process of their healing journey.

I am here to help guide you as you begin your therapeutic journey and investment in yourself. My goal is for you to learn and grow as we venture through and discuss your difficulties, while also making a point to highlight your strengths. I meet you where you are at in your mental health journey and provide a safe and accepting environment for you to navigate life's challenges. I firmly believe that you are the expert of your life, I am simply there to provide guidance along the way. My interest is in working with children, families, and adults as they navigate through unexpected life events and life's daily challenges.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist that has been working with Families, Couples, and Individuals with many diagnosis for over 15 years. I have a very wide array of experience, but do provide specialized training for the following populations: First Responders, individuals suffering from traumatic stress, eating disorders/disordered eating, addiction, and grief as well as their families. I also can support with performance issues related to competition, work, etc. I expect you would find me to be down to earth and practical, but clinically sophisticated in my approach. My goal is partnership and empowerment.

Owner of Integral Psychological providing therapy, medication management, and psychological evaluations (ADHD testing, Autism testing for all ages, Virtual Autism testing for adults). Typically booking testing appointments within a few weeks and therapy appointments within a week. We have experience with many types of therapy that research has found to be effective (e.g. cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, EMDR, acceptance and commitment therapy, animal assisted therapy).

You've been there and done that. You've tried a variety of ways to jump-start your life and feel more alive but nothing has lasting results. Functional anxiety and depression have become a way of life - but you know there's more to life than what you experience day to day...a lot more. Every day you feel a struggle. You feel stuck. You feel depleted. You feel a longing for something more - and you’ve never felt more ready to step up and do whatever it takes to finally move beyond these challenges. You’re ready to experience freedom, aliveness, and soulful living.

I'm passionate about providing support and compassionate counseling to individuals, couples, & families facing life-challenging crises, addictions, or illness with a heart of sincere concern. I assist clients in developing healthy life skills, resolving conflict, and accessing needed resources as they seek to fulfill their personal, family, and vocational goals. I'm experienced in a breadth of crises and family needs through years of church-based pastoral care and clinical counseling. I provide Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling, and Group Therapy. I can help address Men's Issues, Grief Support, and Conflict Mediation needs.

"Shame dies when stories are told in safe places." This quote, beautifully stated by Ann Voskamp, couldn't be more true. I believe in creating a safe & trusting environment for my clients to ensure every individual's unique experiences can be shared in a space designed to engender comfort, acceptance, & respect. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have extensive training & experience working with those who have traumas in their life & are struggling to move forward. Whether dealing with past trauma, the stressors of life, grief, or challenging relationships, I am here to listen, & I am here to help.

You have taken a very important first step by considering going to therapy and looking into your options for a provider. I came to join the Advanced Counseling practice after working at an agency dedicated to the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders. I worked in the treatment of addictions for over twenty five years, which allowed me to help a great many people with a wide variety of issues. I think therapy is the process of making connections and having a safe space to explore, express and renew.

Hillary believes that the foundation of counseling is a therapeutic relationship that offers a safe and comfortable environment. Sharing your story while experiencing acceptance helps to drive the therapeutic process and lay the foundation for real healing and growth. She believes counseling can be a place to explore your patterns, come to understand factors that contributed to your development, and find a balance between accepting yourself and changing patterns that are no longer serving you.

Life can get messy. Maybe you found yourself in a situation you didn't choose for yourself, or maybe you can't seem to shake that gnawing anxiety or the voice that says "you will never be enough". Perhaps you found yourself reeling in the wake of someone else's choices, or maybe even your own. Or maybe you are a parent watching helplessly as you see your son or daughter struggle. That's where I come in. I value the opportunity to be invited into life's most fragile areas and walk alongside you toward freedom, wholeness and hope.

Do you find yourself longing for a deeper connection with yourself and others? You want close relationships and yet these very relationships become a source of pain? Many people find their way to therapy feeling lost, confused, and alone. For me, a most valuable aspect of therapy is connecting with a caring other and being able to undo the loneliness that one feels in their experience. Feeling connected in therapy allows individuals to access important core emotions and gain a deeper sense of themselves. My goal is that people leave therapy with a renewed sense of vitality and a coherent narrative of who they are.

My targeted population includes tween, teens, and young adults. I enjoy working with clients that feel ready to work towards their goals and is here for themselves, not because someone is forcing them. I pull heavily from a strength-based approach to help clients use their resiliency to get through the inevitable ups and downs of life. I understand that therapy can be an uncomfortable and difficult journey for people. Because of this, I place a large emphasis on rapport building and work to balance going at your pace while also challenging you to embrace discomfort.