Teletherapy for Grand Rapids, MI

I specialize in working with women in the family-building phase of life, including infertility, pregnancy/post-partum anxiety and depression, surrogacy, as well as supporting all members of the adoption constellation. I have 15+ years experience working with diverse individuals and I hope to create a safe space for you to explore whatever is important to you. I believe we all thrive in spaces where we can be fully known and celebrated for who we truly are and I aim to bring authenticity, curiosity and possibly some humor to our work together.

No one is perfect - We've all behaved petty at some point in our lives. Over the years, petty has become popular, going viral via social media around the world; however, what I've learned in life & in this field is whether we have been that person or been impacted by someone, we can all chase the root down to something deeper than the situation, i.e. sadness, anxiety or trauma. I am here to offer you a non-judgmental space to process from the petty to highly problematic experience. I invite you to work with me to heal from the inside out (or root to the surface) and have more peaceful experiences with yourself & others. Let's talk!

Hi, I’m Abigail. As a clinician, it is my joy and purpose to help others better understand themselves and their experiences in order to live a more full and contented life. It is a wonderful gift to bear witness to the journey of others as they navigate the often-difficult waters of life’s ebb and flow. I incorporate my mindfulness training into the therapeutic process, creating solutions and effective techniques in addressing a wide range of challenges. I speak Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French.

Sharing our lives is a profound and vulnerable experience. No matter how many years of life you have experienced, sharing those years of life is something that deserves a place that is safe and comfortable. My goal is to provide that place for you. That sharing might look different each time we meet. There might be sharing of joys and sharing of struggles. There might be sharing that brings tears and also sharing that brings laughter. No matter what you are sharing, I will work tirelessly to make sure that you feel safe and comfortable doing it.

Not feel like yourself? Tired of overthinking? Feel like stress is taking a toll on your life? Anxiety and depression affect most people at some point during their lifetime, the pandemic has likely increased the statistic exponentially. Counseling is a great place to have an unbiased support person who only wants you to succeed, whether that's by learning new coping skills, talking through a difficult decision, learning about the brain or new psychology research to help you function better.

For over 30 years I have worked in West Michigan providing counseling, therapy, direction and supervision to adults and children. Each person's situation is unique and therefore requires a unique approach. In my counseling practice I emphasize building a trusting, safe, nonjudgmental and honest relationship with clients. Together we will identify issues, learn to understand them and find solutions to life's difficulties. I specialize in assisting individuals who are experiencing painful situations and need help managing life's most difficult events including depression, anxiety, loss, phobias, trauma, and chronic illness.

Welcome to a therapeutic journey of self-discovery and growth! With over a decade of experience as a Mental Health Social Worker, I've had the privilege of guiding diverse individuals through life's complexities. Each unique experience has honed my skills in various evidence-based practices, shaping my approach to providing support. Life holds both beautiful moments and profound challenges. It's natural to feel overwhelmed by emotions like uncertainty, anxiety, isolation, depression, grief, guilt, fear. These feelings can intensify our sense of separation, making it difficult to navigate alone.

Do your head & heart feel disconnected? Do you struggle to put words to your thoughts & feelings? Is it hard for you to identify your wants & needs? Many of us know this pain, myself included. When we're in this place, we can feel lost, lonely, and confused. Feeling stuck can become consuming and making decisions can be overwhelming. When we’re able to name our thoughts & feelings, we can then start to recognize our wants & needs. And through this process, our head & heart can start to become one instead of two parts at war. When our head & heart are aligned, we can finally become the whole & integrated person we've longed to be.

We are a collective bunch of counselors who specialize in counseling middle and high school students, college students and young adults. See, all of us here have struggled in different ways, and it’s those experiences that have lead us here to work at 3rdchair. Whatever you’re struggling with, we’ll do our best to help you get through it and be a better and stronger person for it.

**offering tele therapy*** When a client comes to his/her first session, I often share that they have done the hardest part: to make that initial call and to show up. From there, I look at it as my responsibility to help one feel safe sharing feelings/experiences so that they improve how they currently feel and create the life they want to get excited about living in the future. My approach is direct, simple, empathetic and effective. I have more than 20 years of experience providing therapy to adults and adolescents who are facing significant challenges/crisis' as well as those who are seeking personal growth.

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.

The path to healing can be complex and even scary at times and we all handle life’s curveballs in our own unique ways. I believe in illuminating the inner parts of ourselves that we aren’t always aware of, but that allow us to better navigate our own path. As a therapist, I believe every person has the potential for change and to live a meaningful life and it is my job to assist you on that journey.

My "ideal client" could be anyone who has found the courage to take the first step towards healing and has made that first intake appointment, even if they are reluctant, have reservations, or aren't sure about the whole "counseling thing." The client may not know their goals for therapy or their needs precisely, which is okay. We will start wherever the client is and go forward together.

Sometimes in life you don't feel heard or understood. At those times, nothing feels safe and you feel alone. When you are going through a difficult time in your life, whether acute or long-term, it can feel overwhelming and isolating. I believe my role in therapy is that of a helper, to be with you in your journey, whether that be finding your own voice, healing past wounds, or working through trauma. Through building a relationship based on compassion, empathy, and respect, we discover the tools needed for growth and change, the resilience and strength that you always possessed.

Men often face societal expectations that discourage vulnerability and seeking help. The pressure to be strong, self-reliant, and in control can leave us feeling isolated and unable to express our true emotions. However, it's important to remember that seeking support is an act of strength and self-care, not a sign of weakness. By embracing vulnerability, we build healthier connections with ourselves, foster growth, and enhance relationships with those we love.

It takes real courage for you to be here. Perhaps, you feel like you're stuck and you don't know what else to do. You keep trying to fix things on your own, but they aren't getting any better. Experiencing personal struggles, relationship difficulties, life changes, or significant trauma can change who we are and how we see the world. We later feel anxiety, pain, sorrow, fear, self-doubt, guilt, or shame.

Everybody deals with relational challenges, whether it’s communication struggles with a loved one, wounds you experienced years ago or coming out to a family member. Some of these conversations can be especially challenging for people of faith or creed who feel like they are in conflict with their beliefs. Through counseling, you can figure out how to navigate challenging relationships and deal with the relational pain you’ve experienced throughout life.

Each person is on a unique life journey. We look forward to learning where you are on your journey and how we 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 struggling with issues with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, PTSD, or OCD I am able to guide you to a better place. I work with individuals, families, and couples. My therapeutic style is eclectic, which means I strive to fit your needs and your lifestyle. I also have over 20 years experience working with families that struggle with parenting skills and children with defiance issues.