Therapists in Downtown, Kalamazoo, MI

Hi, my name is Dustin. I am a therapist within Kalamazoo, Michigan. I have lived exsperience with mental health issues, poverty, criminal justice, and more. My passion is to reach out to those who have been hit hard with life. I was one who was told I was an impossible case, and here I am today. I have much experience and knowledge to offer help and guidance in rough times.

Maternal Counseling is the greatest passion in my practice. Our office works with women in all stages, with heightened focus on mom's that are struggling with postpartum depression and/or anxiety. I am a strengths based counselor who specializes in working through the transitions that life holds. I am trained in working with trauma, depression, anxiety, autism, isolation, adjustment disorders, and grief.

Beginning the process of change can be an intimidating and often stressful endeavor. My goal is to provide an encouraging and warm environment that promotes change and insight. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction. From an integrated therapeutic approach that caters to a client’s specific needs, I help my clients to not only focus on reducing symptoms and identifying problematic thinking, but to also explore and heal the underlying issues, emotions, and origins of their presenting concerns. I truly believe in the therapeutic process and it’s ability to facilitate sustainable change.

Thank you for visiting! Seeking the help that you need can be a challenge so congratulate yourself for taking the first step. As a behavioral health provider I am happy to partner with you to achieve your goals. I view each of my clients as unique, distinct and capable of greatness. I provide a holistic approach to care, addressing the relationship between the mind, body and spiritual condition. Let's work together to achieve the best you!

Trauma is defined differently by everyone and NO ONE understands what you are going through like you do. As a therapist trained in EMDR I can use my knowledge to help you process life experiences and provide realistic tools to manage reactions caused by trauma. I have previous work experience in healthcare and I enjoy working with teenagers, adults, and couples. My training and work experience include individuals with histories of complex trauma, personality disorders, trauma affiliated with a religion, addiction(s), grief, sexual health, and medical trauma.

I have experience working with children and adults with PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, ADHD, child welfare issues, and suicidal ideation. I have specialty training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the practice and use of mindfulness strategies. I have seen and experienced the process of trauma recovery and can understand the various levels trauma can impact people's lives. Nurturing a healthy thought-life is a helpful tool towards building resilience and strength in trauma and various other mental health needs.

Accepting new clients! We all heal in different ways, and I value the importance of meeting a client where they are at in their healing journey, remaining patient every step of the way. Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal in a safe space, alongside someone who can guide and teach them along their journey. I am committed to ensuring my clients feel that their voices have been heard while guiding them towards recognizing their full potentials.

I am here to help you navigate difficult situations going on in your life. My goal is for you to feel safe and understood. I enjoy helping people from all backgrounds. My specialty areas include anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, chronic pain, adjustment, and stress management. I believe therapy should take place in a safe, supportive, empowering, and confidential environment. Clients are active in the process, exploring areas including feelings, beliefs, and behaviors while working through personal history and identifying aspects of their lives they wish to change.

If you are like most people who come to therapy, you've probably felt like you've been running in circles for a long time. Dealing with the same feelings, thoughts, memories, and worries over and over again. In the meantime, you've noticed your life passing you by. What if you could start your life TODAY? What if you don't have to wait? Healing comes from the Latin word for 'wholeness.' To heal is to become whole again. We believe within the pain of suffering can lay our greatest strengths. And there is no part of you that deserves to be cast aside. We don't focus on changing who you are, but on creating the life that you want.

Life experiences can impact us in surprising, often difficult and even traumatic ways leaving us feeling out of touch with ourselves and those around us. With over sixteen (16) years of experience working alongside individuals and families in a variety of clinical settings, my clinical approach begins with meeting you where you are at, without judgement or preconceived notions, to help create a safe, warm and welcoming environment for change. Combining my experience as a clinical social worker and as a parent, my aim is to provide resources and tools that can be used to breakdown the barriers that may exist in your life.

I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of Aaron Beck, M.D. in 1983. I am a Founding Fellow of the Academy for Cognitive Therapy. My primary interest and expertise is in helping people identify and break free from the negative life patterns that underlie long-standing depression, anxiety, and painful relationships. My style is systematic, focused, collaborative and flexible. I see my first task as creating a safe and stable foundation from which clients can begin to meet their core emotional needs and grow.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in their life. I am here to help you find the healthiest way to navigate difficult situations, achieve personal goals and work toward getting you where you want to be in a mindful and meaningful way. I use evidenced based therapies to provide effective treatments for a variety of issues and situations.

I received my bachelor’s degree at Oakland University, majoring in Psychology and receiving a minor in Sociology in 2018. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Counseling Education, with the focus in Marriage, Family, and Couple’s Therapy. For my Practicum I worked in an elementary school working with children as young as 4 and as old as 10. For 2 years I have worked as a Patient sitter at Beaumont Hospital. That experience has allowed me to work with many individuals from various races and ages.

I am a Limited Licensed Psychologist specializing in EMDR Therapy.  I use EMDR to treat the impacts of traumatic events, PTSD, grief, anger, and addictions including substance and sexual addictions. I primarily work with Veterans and First Responders, and individuals on the front lines of taking care of others. When you face the dangers of the world head-on on a daily basis, asking for help may feel counterintuitive. At the same time, avoiding problems, thinking they will get better on their own, or denial of their existance (despite the evidence) is a guaranteed path to less-than-ideal outcomes.

Life can be difficult, especially in preteen through young adult years, where you can feel in constant change. Working with someone to help guide you through rough patches and work on developing certain skills and routines can help ease those transitions.

To put it simply, life can be hard. Children and adolescents deserve a safe place and a trusting therapist to navigate it with. I have a passion for working with children of all ages and understand the importance of meeting them where they’re at while creating a therapeutic alliance. I have experience working with a variety of issues that impact youth including anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, school difficulties, family changes, ADHD, loss, and more. Children are our future and I feel honored to play a small step in their journey.

**Accepting New Client's** Are you struggling with a loss of interest in normal activities or with a feeling of hopelessness, do you feel consumed with grief, struggle meeting goals, maybe you find it difficult to communicate effectively with family, coworkers, or friends. Life has many transitions and you may need help coping with them (new or loss of a job, college, empty nest, etc). I offer you a safe nonjudgmental space to assist you with finding solutions to your concerns. I am a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor & Limited Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist & I can't wait to help you through your therapeutic journey.

My background encompasses working with at-risk youth K-12, college and graduate students, families and older adults. My goal is to teach people life skills that will give them purpose, hope and vision of transformation, personal growth and positive mental attitude.

Life is constantly changing and challenging. At times, it can feel difficult to keep up. As a counselor, my goal is to help you identify ways you can tap into your strengths to better navigate these challenges. My hope is to help empower you to create lasting, meaningful change in your life. I have experience working in inpatient settings, in the child welfare/foster care system, as well as in substance use treatment centers. I am also certified as a supervisor for LLPC therapists in the state of Michigan