Family Counseling Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

With over twenty-five years of experience, I am dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate, and individualized psychotherapy to help you achieve change and personal growth. I understand that what may work in helping one person meet their goals may not work for another. Therefore, I use a flexible, individualized, and integrative approach to help you achieve a greater sense of well being by gaining understanding and greater mastery over the factors that underlie your difficulties. I will also work with you to build on your existing strengths and develop new skills to resolve your concerns.

***I am not currently accepting new clients.*** I have a passion for working with children and adults going through life transitions. I enjoy working with diverse people groups with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. I am an EMDR therapist specializing in trauma at any life stage, family and relationship crisis, parenting issues, issues related to deportation or family separation, single parenting, singleness issues, domestic violence, grief, school issues, adult and childhood anxiety and depression.

As a Marriage & Family Therapist/Counselor my goal is to provide families , couples and individuals with a safe environment where they can explore themselves and the possibility of change within their life and their relationships. Our lives are centered on relationships with others. Relationships are the building blocks of life; but, they can also be very debilitating. When those relationships become troubled, sometimes assistance from family and friends may not be enough to find balance within yourself or other relationships. Lucky for us, there are people who have dedicated their lives to helping others along their journey.

The relationship between you and I is a key component of your treatment outcome. I believe that this therapeutic relationship is founded in a spirit of collaboration, an emotional bond and an agreement on goals and tasks. Two main characteristics of therapy are critical to the building of this therapeutic alliance: expertise and empathy. I am confident in my ability to help resolve any issues in a satisfying manner, prepared in both theory and practice, clear in my thoughts, ideas, and logical in the problem solving process. Of equal importance, I am accepting, understanding and genuinely interested in you and your needs.

My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for children and adults, in order for them to process individual difficulties, devise a plan of action, and facilitate emotional health and well-being. My client base includes those experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, sexual and physical abuse, parenting difficulties, relationship issues, and family discord. I view myself as a coach to help identify strengths, determine what might be hindering progress, and pave the way for moving forward.

As a therapist, I believe that building a relationship is the most important part of the therapeutic process. From that relationship, it becomes possible to examine difficult areas of your life in order to experience growth and security within yourself. The therapeutic setting provides a unique opportunity to pause the busyness of everyday life and sort through present or past concerns that may be affecting you and your family .

**Teletherapy and in-person available during this season. Please email to inquire about openings.*** Kristin received her Bachelor's degree from Calvin College, and her Master's and Doctoral degree from Wheaton College. Kristin was trained as a generalist psychologist who also completed specialized training and concentrations in Marriage & Family , and Children & Adolescent treatment. Kristin enjoys working with adolescents, adults, and families , as well as clients who have experienced trauma and grief.

I have experience working with and providing therapy to children, adolescents, traditional/non-traditional college students and adults in wide variety of settings. I primarily work from an Interpersonal Process Approach (IPA) that focuses not only on symptom reduction but is focused on the therapeutic relationship and how it can be used as a vehicle to help promote change. The therapeutic relationship within this approach helps bolster the belief and confidence in, not only the possibility, but client’s actual ability to make changes in their lives. I also integrate and work from a Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I work with individuals, couples, and families . If you are looking to explore more about thoughts and feelings that are overwhelming you or you find yourself unable to enjoy life the way you want, then it is time to talk about it in a safe space. I work from a trauma informed perspective and my priority is to help you find strength and support in and out of session. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma, I can assist you in finding some control over these thoughts and feelings so that you can get back to living your life the way you want.

Please come and see me at Life Support, LLC. This is a group practice that has many therapist to choose from and information is being updated for opening 9/3/19 website is https://lifesupportllc.info/. This is a safe professional place that everyone can come to for counseling and to get through all the struggles that life throws at us. I am a Licensed Social worker with 15 years of experience working with individuals and families , child welfare, corrections, behavioral health and medical social work to benefit you.

My name is Carrie Deering and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have experience working with individuals of all ages from 4 years old and up. I have worked in a variety of settings including a psychiatric hospital and community based settings. I also have experience navigating and managing crisis.

Does life have you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Are you having trouble achieving your goals? Maybe you have an idea what the road block is, or maybe you'd like to talk things through to see what that road block could possibly be. The good news is, you don't have to navigate all of it on your own. When we work together, you'll always be in the "driver's seat" but I'd love to be a helpful passenger who's able to pass you some tools along the drive.

You have a story, and it makes sense that you feel, believe, act and react as you do. Change and growth rarely occur in anything that resembles a straight line and being mean to yourself really does not help. If you want to believe these statements but are finding it difficult, I would love an opportunity to meet with you. I am a fully licensed psychologist and enjoy working with adolescents and adults with a wide range of concerns. I believe that therapy occurs within a partnership where together we will make educated decisions about how to approach your goals based on your specific life circumstances, needs, values, and strengths.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the stressors or trauma in your life... When you’re trying to raise your kids in a better way than you were raised but struggle to do things differently… When you’re questioning why it’s so hard to be in a healthy intimate relationship… When you want to thrive at home, work, or school but feel stuck… When you’re worried about your child and don’t know what to do… know that you are not alone! I believe that wholeness is possible, and I look forward to walking alongside you and your loved ones as you heal, learn, and grow together.

Whether dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or life turmoil, you’ve made a tremendous step in your healing journey and my goal is to help you along the path to restoration and growth! You were gifted with the attributes to reach your dreams and goals. It is my job and joy to supply you with tools to unearth those jewels that are within you. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Cornerstone University and Masters of Arts in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. I have served as a life coach for 15+ years. I provide counseling and life coaching services to adults, couples, and families .

Couples with young kiddo are particularly at risk for marriage and family strife because they are so busy, and because there is so much that is new to their brains, emotions and relationship. Figuring out how to be both mom and dad as well as husband and wife is often overwhelming and troubling. Tension builds when the relationship energy gets split between kiddos needs (and there are a lot of them!) and marriage needs (and those are valid as well). The energy to figure out how to integrate all those needs, wants, wishes becomes divided and divisive. Disconnected and discontent brew and relationship trouble stews. What to do?

When you think about your relationship, do you ever wonder “how did we get here?!” If so, then I am definitely the counselor you should meet with. I am a firm believer that each relationship we have impacts us in one way or another because, well… they do! I specialize in working with couples and families to assist them in building their communication skills, healing, and strengthening their relationships. I am especially passionate about pre-engagement or premarital counseling, divorce recovery, parallel parenting, family therapy, working with blended families , teens, and working with people of the LGBTQ community.

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.

I grew up in a very large family and learned at a young age what mental health issues looked like. I believe in being present in the here and now and allowing my clients the opportunity to fully express their emotions in a safe environment.