Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

Counseling can offer support to make real life changes. I guide individuals to acknowledging conflicts and the ability to work through them. I believe that counseling can benefit anyone. I strive to empower clients to cultivate greater self-esteem and to assist them in developing skills to manage the stress of everyday life.

I work with my clients to create a healthy and helping relationship. I approach therapy open-minded and judgment-free; working to promote a safe and supportive space that facilitates growth, discovery and healing. Often in our lives we lose our identities and our paths become blurred; I have worked with a variety of clients from differing backgrounds and have made it my goal to meet people where they are and to offer myself as an instrument in accessing many of the strengths that they already possess. Therapy offers a way to help improve areas in our lives where we feel we need support.

As humans, relationships are vital to our lived experience. My goal is to walk alongside you, wherever you may be in your journey, in order to help elicit the change and outcomes you envision for yourself. My goal is to provide a collaborative experience; utilizing the strengths and qualities that each individual possesses.

My compassion for all beings began long ago and has been the cornerstone of my personal and professional life. It is the compelling reason I practice counseling. I am profoundly aware of the vast amounts of suffering we all experience throughout our lives. Experiencing and releasing this pain is the goal. I believe in the emergence of self knowledge, positive energy and right action as fear and resistance are diminished. I prefer not to label conditions and symptoms ,but strive to fully understand and appreciate the individual sitting before me.

Life can be challenging at times. Trying to make sense and work through painful and difficult life experiences can often seem like a daunting task. Whether you are struggling with day to day stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues or behaviors that interfere with you living the life that you desire, my practice provides a safe and warm environment where you can identify personal goals, engage in meaningful therapy and find resolution and healing. Empathy and sensitivity to your struggles are key components of my work. This first step towards change solidifies your courage and innate potential toward intentional living.

For 17 years, I have been helping clients build upon strengths and face challenges to achieve their goals of therapy. As a licensed professional counselor I utilize the evidence based therapeutic approach of Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a basis for reducing suffering and achieving specific goals. Mindfulness and other coping techniques are incorporated to help address emotional suffering and to help tolerate environmental stressors to create a more balanced, tolerable life.

When addiction or mental health issues take over your life it can be incredibly overwhelming. I provide a supportive environment to share your issues and concerns. I will walk along side you on your journey to recovery and stability as you learn accountability and healthy coping skills. Get ready to take back ownership of your life!

I have been in practice in Kalamazoo for over 10 years. I am certified in Trauma Informed Assessment and Intervention, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, play therapy, and have expertise in several parenting approaches. In addition to clinical practice, I am a school social worker, and proud father of 8 children. I use a person-centered approach, allowing clients to set their goals, providing a safe space and supportive environment to move them in the direction of their goals.

When people have experienced loss, trauma, abuse, chronic stress, addiction or disconnection from others they may develop unhealthy patterns of responding. We can transform many of these patterns through increasing our own awareness. We all carry the answers to our own healing within us. I seek to make working with me accessible and welcoming to all. You are invited to come as you are. I'm here for you when you are feeling stuck, limited by stigma or shame, caught in past hurts, fearful, isolated, or in need of getting back to feeling like you.

Similarly to many of you, the pandemic created an opportunity for me to re-evaluate my choices and to step out of that comfort zone and move towards something new. Exploring new paths can be intimidating but it is also exciting. What I hope to provide for each of my clients as we work together: a place where it is safe to be both vulnerable and brave as you work towards healing and towards your own goals. My professional mission is to help each person determine their goals and needs, then build on their strengths to reach them. This is never a linear process but I can provide an open, safe, and judgment free environment.

As a prior military police officer, I recognize that we are all fighting a battle against something in life, and we can only use the tools we have gathered through our experiences. Unless someone comes alongside us, we cannot learn new things and grow into better champions for ourselves. My approach to therapy is rooted in relationships but is also very direct and focused. I use a combination of modalities with the goal of providing brief therapeutic interventions to help clients get back on track in their marriages, families, or individual lives.

Be proud of yourself for reaching out for help. Are you in need of a safe space to feel feelings, process hurt, and challenge yourself to grow? Do you have specific goals you want to address? Or not sure where to start? I believe sometimes the hardest things to talk about are the best things to talk about. I am honored to be featured in Voyage Magazine in the "Hidden Gems Series: Local Businesses and Creatives you should know." I want to help you identify, process, and express your thoughts, feelings, and concerns in a healthy way. You, too, can find victory in your struggle!

Our lives do not always go the way we planned. We all experience challenges and struggles and find ourselves searching for relief. I view therapy as a time to heal, grow, change, discover, and build. I have worked with clients to address such concerns as self-esteem, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues, parenting, work and career concerns, life transitions, stress and coping, and grief and loss to name a few.

Hello! As a therapist, I strive to support individuals in reaching their fullest potential in any areas of life that may be unsatisfactory. I will create a safe space to share conversations and together we will work to reconcile any discomfort. I am humbled to be chosen to walk beside you on this journey and I commend you for taking the first step towards healing. I believe everyone can use extra support at various points in life and therapy can provide a method to learn new tools to have in your arsenal.

I am passionate about working with individuals/couples on relationships and personal growth. Many of my clients are adults facing challenges in romantic or family relationships. This may include conflict, sexual issues/addiction or infidelity. I also specialize in working with adults/young adults on issues such as: identifying life purpose, career choices, stress/burnout, loneliness, depression and anxiety. The goal for all my clients is to find freedom, peace, balance and connection. By the time we've completed therapy, clients often tell me that they have found a deeper understanding of themselves and peace in their relationships.

As an independent contractor with Kalamazoo Child and Family counseling, I guide children and their families in addressing behavioral issues by using psycho-education, parenting skills, relaxation, affect identification and regulation, and cognitive coping. Utilizing trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, children and families gain an understanding of the root cause of behavioral issues and develop healthy approaches to addressing these issues.

We live in a world that is changing every day often creating stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and grief. My role is to walk alongside to provide support and perspective. Each individual is unique and an expert in their own journey. I encourage my clients to pursue their own authentic self while working to debunk societal norms that may be holding them back. I take a trauma informed approach that starts by bringing awareness to our body. I enjoy working with those who are 13+ (adults) to navigate relationship issues, depression, disordered eating; supporting friends and family members associated to persons with substance abuse issues.