Therapists in Holland, MI

I hope you will find working with me to be rewarding, educational and helpful. I am comfortable working with adolescents, men, women and senior citizens. You will receive counseling in a non-judgmental, relaxing and peaceful environment. Life can be a journey that is sometimes filled with struggles. I am here to help navigate that journey and learn some new techniques to get back on the path to a joyful life.

I specialize in walking with individual's who are struggling with pornography addiction or other forms of unwanted sexual behavior. I also walk with individuals who have experienced the horrors of sexual, physical, emotional or spiritual abuse and the stress that often follows. And I have a heart for journeying with individual's who are grieving and those who are struggling with questions of identity and spirituality.

I enjoy clients with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and problems. My personal style is warm and supportive, and my approach with clients is holistic in focus. My goal is for each client to achieve more personal awareness, emotional stability, and effective behavior as a result of our work together. Presenting issues might be: Depression; Bipolar disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Trauma/PTSD; Couple conflicts; Stress related medical problems; or Life transitions. I provide individual and couple therapy for teens thorugh adults.

Life can throw a lot at us on any given day. Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by the chaos of the world, by the marginalization inflicted by systemic policies and institutions, or by our own internal conflicts. Embracing change and growth can define a path forward and allow hope to be our guide to wellness. The power to heal ourselves lies in empowerment AND advocacy. We must acknowledge both the impact of external factors rooted in the world and in the internalization of suffering and trauma.

I am a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) in the state of Michigan, with over 15 years of experience providing therapy in multi-faceted ways. I have worked as a medical social worker, providing therapy for those suffering from a variety of hardships. I have worked as an addictions counselor for those with substance dependence and their families. I specialize in working with other professionals who struggle with mood or substance abuse issues. I have experience treating depression, anxiety/panic, women's issues, relationship issues, career issues, and those with both physical and mental health issues.

Experiencing an emotional or personal issue that is restricting your ability to enjoy life? I help clients work on those things that are getting in the way, such as, problematic emotional, behavioral or relational patterns, stress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Life is really hard at times and it can help to have some extra support, especially, if you are feeling alone, isolated or finding that others don't really understand. NOTE: I am now offering tele-therapy over video as an option for therapy.

I have been working with children, families and organizations for over three decades in various forms. From children with special needs, to teaching, to hospice care, to working in schools and organizations, to now working full time as a therapist. In working as a therapist, I have experience working in schools, churches, foster care, CPS, FOC, family relationships, child behavior, parenting, conflict resolution, and leadership counseling. I have worked with children, parents, grandparents, pastors, principals, and others seeking to move in a different direction, or better manage their current situation.

Michael specializes in generalized anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, social anxiety, PTSD. and more—using CBT for superior outcomes. CBT is great for depression and mood disorders, as well. Michael also works closely with couples, addressing the misconceptions they can bring into their relationships, including "The other person must make me happy" . . . "If I can change the other person, my life would be better" . . . "If you cared about me, you wouldn't do those things" . . . and other errors that could lead to a breakup or divorce. Whether you need individual or relationship counseling, my goal is to help mend brokenness in people.

There are times in life when it feels like you cannot take another minute of toxic stress or anxiety….whether it is about how you are coping with personal challenges or about your children or relationships. Perhaps there are events in your past that keep you from moving forward with your life. I invite you to a calm and welcoming space to help you find a way to resolve these issues. I am an empathetic listener who strives to help others rediscover strengths to heal their hearts so they can achieve their goals.

I believe that every person who is seeking therapy has already taken the first step toward positive change. This is often the most difficult step of the healing process. My first goal is to listen well and to seek to understand you. While my training includes many therapeutic approaches informed by research, I see therapy most of all as a process that unfolds with building a genuine relationship. I seek to find strengths within each person and assist them in building upon those strengths within therapy.

We all have meaningful stories to tell, and I look forward to learning how I can be of service to you, whether it’s easing stress, improving communication, getting your relationship (with others and yourself) back on track or helping you develop healthy thinking patterns. I can help give you “tools for your toolbox” to help overcome life’s obstacles. My goal is for you to feel valued, safe, and heard while building a relationship of trust and understanding. I will walk alongside you and provide collaborative, action oriented and honest feedback to shape your journey towards a greater sense of freedom, meaning & purpose.

Every person’s journey is different, as are the challenges you experience along the way. Changes and challenges are a given, but you don’t need to face them alone. It is my honor to walk alongside my clients as they take steps towards bringing positive change to their lives. I enjoy working with clients to address concerns including but not limited to depression, anxiety, interpersonal/relational issues, life transitions, and self-actualization.

Are you new to college or high school and feeling overwhelmed? Maybe the thought of interacting with your peers or speaking in front of others feels scary. Perhaps you're struggling with motivation and finding it difficult to complete your work, causing you to fall behind. Maybe you're a perfectionist, and the idea of not getting this school-thing just right is terrifying for you. Do you ever look around and feel like everyone else knows what they're doing and who they are, but you're just... lost? Maybe even getting up in the morning feels impossible right now. I want you to know that you're not alone, and you can feel better.

Alexa has spent her life gaining personal and career experiences to provide support and empathy to those who could benefit from an experienced and empathetic emotional wellness partner. With a Masters degree in Social Work from GVSU, experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Alexa comes to your table to be on your team as a partner, mentor, and support person, to help you navigate the twists and turns that life will throw your way.