McLaren Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Let’s be honest. Life gets real sometimes. Things happen and we can wind up feeling stuck, lost, or hopeless. To top it all off, we often feel pressured to put on a brave face and weather the storm. It’s for these reasons that I founded Sunshine Counseling. You deserve a space where you can be yourself, where you don’t have to hide, and where you can safely process life. Truth be told, I named my therapy practice after a mug my friend gave me which sarcastically declares, "I am a ray of freaking sunshine!" This cheeky little mug actually encapsulates my world view. It is not all sunshine and rainbows. And that's ok.

In the human experience, few emotions are more debilitating than shame. Maybe it’s the voice in your head beating you down at every turn. Maybe you find yourself stuck in past mistakes, or overwhelmed by everything that could go wrong in the future. Maybe experience has taught you to find yourself less-than in worth, relationship, and ability. When dealing with this kind of pain, vulnerability becomes unbelievably challenging, but incredibly healing.

Art Therapy what a fantastic way of communication. You don't have to be an artist; you just need to trust the process. Sometimes words cannot express what we want to say or think; through art, you can.

People are the expert on their own lives. As we work together to identify concerns and set goals, our work may include discussing behaviors, emotions, or thought patterns which do not serve the end goal and learning skills to manage or change them. I have experience and training to provide clinical support while someone navigates the changes they would like to see in their life. Wherever the person is in their need, that is where we will start.

You may not consider or believe that your life experiences include trauma. You might think, “Doesn’t everyone feel like this? This is just life, right?!” The answer is no! You don’t have to carry this yuck around with you anymore. You can have less inner conflict, better decision making, and enhanced self-control. Change is possible with EMDR therapy.

I believe in the unique potential within each and every one of us, and it is this belief that drives me to help those in need. My passion and compassion, along with almost 14 years of experience, help me provide clients with tools, guidance, and support needed to journey towards healing, self-exploration, and resolution. I am known to work on many of the more difficult cases in the Grand Rapids area, and recognized by the school, legal and healthcare communities as being a leading provider of group and counseling services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

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.

We believe that you are the master of your own life and that therapy is a joint process that we can navigate together. We are here to help you develop the tools and understanding needed to create the life you want and meet your long and short term goals. Our mission is to provide more accessible services to underserved clients. Our counselors can help with a variety of different concerns, such as struggles related to anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression, trauma, self esteem, LGBTQ+ related concerns, OCD, suicidal ideation, self-harming, racial identity, substance use, relationship issues, chronic illness, family conflict, and more.

Are you exhausted from COVID or seeing a counselor you don't vibe with? Perhaps you're feeling down, anxious & unsure about the future or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to live. Whatever your needs may be, I am here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, and can be experienced in various forms. I promote behavioral transformation by encouraging a positive outlook and the adoption of new attitudes and relationships through the use of expressive arts. I have the tools and professional experience to help you get back on track to obtain your successful outcome.

Accepting New Clients! Whether this is your first time reaching out to a therapist, or a process you’ve been through before, I am happy you’re here and making this first step. My primary goal as a therapist is to hold space to process, heal, explore, and rebuild the relationship one has with themselves. I view the relationship between therapist and client as a partnership and aim to support those who are ready to actively engage in their healing.

I like working from a person-centered and strength-based approach as well as looking at connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together, we will identify your strengths and areas you would like to see growth. I am also a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator so I can work in the area of premarital/marriage counseling.

Everyone who takes the risk to try counseling needs to be listened to and their unique story heard. During counseling sessions you will feel valued, supported, and equipped to face the struggles of life. Together we'll figure out how you can move forward, if you feel stuck, and reach your goals. We'll use your strengths to overcome what may be holding you back, and holistic strategies for healing and growth. Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulty, or some other issue, we can work together to develop solutions. As a therapist I offer you a fresh perspective, some new skills, guidance, and hope.

I believe that everyone strives to do the best they can, but sometimes you just don't have the tools or motivation to get to where you want to be. I’m glad that you’re brave enough to take the first step! I’m here to help clients discover and use their strengths to navigate through life’s challenges. My goal is to provide a confidential environment where clients can process current life circumstances, explore new coping skills and meet their goals.

Immediate Openings! Being a parent is hard. We understand the unique challenges that parent's face as they adapt to new roles. We specialize in perinatal and women's issues, utilizing a Holistic/Integrative approach to counseling. We provide empathetic care for clients, based on their individual needs. You will feel safe in an environment that will foster exploration and growth. Helping others to live a happy and healthy life is our true passion.

I believe humans are incredibly resilient in times of stress, but even more so when acting toward personal change and growth. I also believe communication is a gift we all hold which can assist us in having more positive and fruitful lives. My role in working with individuals is to assist them in finding their voice, to feel more empowered during daily interactions, and to overall become their authentic selves. My goal is to offer individuals a safe space to come and talk about what they are thinking from day to day, to not feel alone with daily struggles, and to learn skills to better communicate with those most important to them.

In my work experience I have provided clinical support to a wide variety of individuals working through a number of concerns such as ADHD, Grief and Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Severe Panic Attacks, Trauma, Relationship concerns, Self-harm, Domestic violence and adjusting to new life circumstances. I have also worked in large part at a providing clinical services to teens suffering from severe mental illness and helping them cope with difficult life circumstances and develop a positive and fulfilling outlook on the present.