Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

I am very passionate about working with adolescents, young adults, and adult individuals between the ages of 14-50 years old who have experienced Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Generalized Mental Health Issues, Relationship/Family/Peer Issues, etc. I work best with individuals who want to work on bettering themselves and/or need an unbiased person to speak to about the struggles they are going through in their life.

I am a licensed Clinical Therapist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have been in the field for over 10 years. I practice Solution Focused Therapy using Person Centered approach. My goal is not to change you but to help facilitate the change that you desire.

My main areas of focus are trauma, anxiety, first responder challenges, PTSD and compassion fatigue. I also offer EMDR as well. I believe every person is unique and ultimately the expert in their own life. The body and mind are intricately connected and need to be examined together, to accurately assess and reach a resolution for life's demands.

We find ourselves traveling down the same roads all the time, same route to work, school, and even family and friends' houses. Sometimes we become so used to the way we are living that change is often difficult to achieve. I believe this is because we are stuck in ways of thinking because we have done it for as long as we can remember. "That's just the way I am." If you are looking to find a new way of doing things because you are unsatisfied or stuck in a rut, I would love to help you navigate change.

Where do you begin? How do you choose a counselor? Seeking help and counseling is a courageous act. I’m glad you’re here! Compassionately and collaboratively, I can help you reduce worry, deepen relationships, foster acceptance, improve mood, adapt to change, navigate interpersonal concerns, etc. I’m here to help you hold a “flashlight” to your life: highlight aspects that may be too hard to look at on your own, gain clarity in an area where you’ve shined the light on for quite some time but can’t quite make sense of it yet, and illuminate skills, resources and values that have been muddled for you.

Just as we sometimes need help caring for physical aches and pains, sometimes we need help improving our mental health. I am passionate about helping others look inward to learn more about themselves and connect with their inner voice through the power of therapy. At its heart, therapy is as powerful as what you put into it. Being vulnerable can often feel daunting, but by working together, my goal is to help you build the confidence you need to bravely take the reins when you feel like the life you want is just out of reach.

Searching for the right therapist can feel overwhelming. There is a lot of information to sift through, so I will try to keep this simple :) There are two major things that separate me and my team from the others:

Since completing my master's degree and post-grad training at UM in 2009, I've worked in crisis intervention, inpatient and community-based settings. In these contexts, as well as in my own life, I've found that all of us complicated, unique humans share some basic common goals. In the words of the poet Hafiz, we all want "to love more, and be happy." I've also found that with some bravery, strength and wisdom, the difficulties we face today can serve as catalysts toward positive change and a more meaningful, fulfilling life.

Life can be messy, unpredictable, wonderful, and terrible. Sometimes there is loss and hopeless. Other times there is joy and hope. Therapy is a space where you can explore all of life's extremes and constants, as well as the potential extremes and constants of yourself. I am here to offer an empathetic, non-judgmental, safe space for you to notice, explore, and dive into parts of yourself that may have been unheard, stuck in the past, embraced in isolation, or remained quiet.

The decision to start therapy can be overwhelming & anxiety provoking. You may be wondering how therapy can help or who the right therapist is. You're not alone! My hope is to help you feel comfortable & confident in your decision to be here. I have over seven years of clinical experience working with depression, anxiety, life transitions, mood disorders, family &/or relational conflict, grief, complex medical diagnoses, & trauma. I strive to create an environment in which we identify where change is needed while highlighting the strengths you already possess. I value building trust, fostering connection, & embracing vulnerability.

Thanks for visiting my profile. If you are considering therapy/ counseling, there is one thing I’ve learned to be true. When it comes to delivering accurate evaluations and providing high caliber therapy/counseling, experience definitely counts. Nothing is more critical than experience. I've had 30+ years of experience working with many people who have struggled with a wide range of challenges and problems. I earned a Masters from University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. I've worked in outpatient and office practices. I worked with college students when I directed a college counseling center.

Every day has the potential to present us with unexpected challenges or difficult situations, and there is only so much we can do on our own before we feel the need to ask for support. Luckily, I can help. My name is Olja Haglund and I am a therapist serving Grand Rapids, MI helping clients to find hope, peace, opportunities for growth, and the chance to lead a more satisfying life. Whether you’re struggling with a specific mental health diagnosis or just grappling with day-to-day stressors, I welcome you to join me in finding relief from distress, discovering greater purpose, and fostering the most fulfilled version of yourself.

I have extensive crisis counseling experience—specifically with children, adolescents, and families. I seek to provide an environment where everyone is safe and able to navigate behavioral barriers including eating, exercise, and sleep.

Life is a complex journey that can bring both amazing highs and life-altering lows. We can be faced with difficult challenges, unexpected changes, and raw emotions that our current coping skills aren’t equipped to manage in a healthy way. While I believe we’re all doing the best we can with what we know, there can be times when support from an outside source can help us learn how to thrive through those lows versus just survive.