Trauma Focused Therapists in Houghton Lake, MI

Danielle graduated with her Masters in Social Work from Spring Arbor University, in 2016. She has gained clinical experience working with all populations but is most passionate about working with children and families to help develop healthy attachments, encourage positive emotion regulation and peaceful parenting. Danielle is passionate about helping children develop positive coping skills, helping families heal generational traumas and working together with them to encourage whole body wellness in conjunction with their mental health.

Welcome! My name is Alyssa Smith and I know that starting therapy can be an intimidating process, but I aim to provide my clients with a comfortable, non-judgmental space to be themselves and process the conflicts going on in their lives. I view therapy as a partnership, one where I can support you to make your own decisions, set your own goals, and be actively engaged in your own treatment process and healing. My goal is to assist clients in coping and processing with all of life’s difficulties, and ultimately live a life full of confidence and fulfillment.

Therapy can be a great opportunity to add support for yourself and provide tools that you may not have had access to before. Making the decision to start therapy, either for yourself or for your child, can feel overwhelming. Therapy and therapists are not a one size fits all, so it's important to find the fit that is right for you and/or your family. I believe healing and change can occur, but taking a risk is required to do so. If you or your child are struggling with processing trauma history, grief/loss, parenting issues, stress management, adjustment issues, mood disorders, depression, and anxiety, you don't have to do it alone.

I help children and adults deal with anxiety and depression. Coping with trauma can be a difficult challenge, and I work side-by-side with clients needing support and guidance as they work through that and other stressful events in their lives.

Working with childrens and teens with grief/loss, life changes, school issues, anxiety, depression, anger and/or trauma is my passion. In addition to that, I also enjoy working with parents who are searching for support for behavioral issues.

Welcome. I am so happy you are here. As humans we are extremely resilient and adaptive to our surroundings. At times, this can be a gift and it can also lead us on a path that is no longer serving us. Therapy has the potential to change the quality of our lives, as well as for those around us, for generations to come. I specialize in guiding people back to themselves, while setting the conditions for healing to take place. Given the right conditions our bodies and minds can heal. You already carry everything you need from within. My approach is rooted in authenticity, compassion, and client empowerment.

I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.

Hi! My ideal client is someone who is struggling with anxiety/depression or both. Trauma is also one of my specialties. My client wants to get to a place where he or she can be comfortable with themself and recognizes they are not living their best life. They are ready to delve into their past & present and are ready to divulge that which is preventing or getting in the way of experiencing life to the fullest. Be ready to reacquaint yourself with yourself, let go of crippling fear and gain self confidence that has been lost. I am ready to help you. Are you ready to help yourself?

Everyone experiences life struggles. I believe clients come to therapy already equipped with the tools and skills to make change and therapy is a tool to help accomplish that goal. I specialize in helping individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and other needs. I have worked with adults, children, adolescents, and families for 15 years, and take great joy in seeing change happen in the lives of others. I believe in a client-centered approach, which means you are the expert of your own life, and I am a facilitator in helping you accomplish your own goals.

Prior to working at Gratiot Psychological Services, I worked for several years at St. Vincent Catholic Charities Children's Home in Lansing, MI as a residential therapist providing individual, group, and family therapy. I have been trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model to help further address incidents of trauma in children and adolescents. Outside the office I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also like to spend time reading, watching movies, painting or drawing, and being outside.

Reaching out for help takes courage. It means that you are able to admit that you do not have all the answers and have the strength to acknowledge that you may be struggling. Experiencing personal conflicts can make you feel unsteady, anxious, and unsure about how to move forward. It is during these times, I believe that showing up authentically is the first step in moving forward. I believe that leaning into vulnerability and tuning into yourself is key to a transformative journey. Therapy is a safe place to remember who you are and discover the inherent power you hold to create a life that you will simply enjoy living.

Rob Conrad, LMSW Licensed Master of Social Work, earned his Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Rob has experience working with children, teens, families, and adults. He spent 4 years working with individuals who experienced complex trauma and is certified in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He believes in meeting his clients where they are at and in the collaborative nature of therapy. Rob uses evidenced based practices to help his clients identify and achieve their goals.

I have extensive experience working with various types of trauma. I am trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I also see individuals with body image issues, depression, stress, grief and loss, divorce adjustment, relationship, parenting issues, women's issues, and behavior management. I start with a person centered approach which includes genuiness, empathy and unconditional positive regard. Once we develop a strong therapeutic relationship other techniques will be added as necessary.

As a highly skilled outpatient therapist, it is my mission to improve life quality for all of my clients by leveraging my dedication with over 20 years of experience. I concentrate on understanding the needs of each client, engaging in a trusting professional relationship, administering advanced therapy techniques, and empowering each individual to reach his/her wellness goals. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, grief, medical issues, PTSD, anxiety, life stressors, depression, family conflicts, and more. My client focus during COVID-19 is teenagers, adults, and families. Some children are adaptable to Telemedicine.