Attachment-based Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

On our journey through life we sometimes face challenges that lead us to seek out additional support. Life is messy and we are here to help you be intentional with your approach to treatment and pull on your strengths to get through the challenges you are facing. Together with our therapists here at Intentional Journey Counseling we will work with you to discover your strengths and build skills to help you on your journey through healing.

My approach is holistic and tailored to address various life challenges, including trauma, depression, anxiety, codependency, grief, and stress. Through active listening, I aim to guide you in processing your emotions in a healthy way while working collaboratively towards your desired outcome. I will be there to support you every step of the way.

You are not broken, you are deeply hurt. It is easy to find yourself in unhelpful patterns & ways of being. This might be due to your nervous system being flooded with anger, fear & despair. In a creative way to survive, you have found self-protection strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies are likely no longer helpful. Part of our work together will be unraveling this muscle memory to reveal how you can live a life that is true to you. YOU become the place of self-awareness, peaceful acceptance & intentional action. As a certified trauma professional & art therapist, I integrate these tools into our therapeutic work.

Together we will create a compassionate & emotionally safe space for you to explore how you became the YOU that you are today. We will discover who you want to be & how you hope to change. I will help you understand your positive, affirming, challenging & disturbing relationships & experiences. We will collaboratively decrease your emotional & physical pain. You will grow to have comfortable & healthy thoughts, feelings & behaviors. I will respectfully guide you towards being mindful with your strength, with your ability to act assertively, with skills to experience self control & contentment & to become who YOU CHOOSE to be.

I believe that each person is the expert of their own experience. My role is not to tell you how to lead your life, but to listen and understand changes you want for yourself. Most of us have a difficult time being observers of our own thoughts and emotions, and my goal is to guide you. We do have good evidence that people begin to feel better when they feel heard. Together, we will create a collaborative, you-centered therapeutic relationship that supports the development of your personal insights with practical coping skills that help you live more fully in ways that are important to you.

As counselor, I see therapy for adults involving a very individual, 'person centered' approach. "I believe that every person has the internal resources they need for growth & healing, and to find their direction and progress in the therapy process." I support the client on their path to success, providing empathy, acceptance for who they are and where they are, while offering a non-judgmental orientation. I encourage the client with the freedom to explore thoughts, feelings, and life experiences in our time together.

I respectfully welcome you to my practice. I have over 25 years experience in the mental health field working with trauma, abuse, depression, anxiety, family of origin issues, relationship and co-dependency challenges. I will listen without judgement and help you identify and work through the barriers that hinder clarity, direction and positive problem resolution.

Asking for help can be difficult. I understand that entering therapy can be a big step and how important it is that you feel respected , seen and heard. My experience includes helping children, adolescents, adults, and families navigate difficult times in their lives and to feel empowered making changes in their relationships, careers or personal goals. Together, we will develop a treatment strategy that focuses on the issues and changes that you identify and are ready to address.

Everyone has a story that matters. Through a collaborative approach to therapeutic treatment, we can work to establish a safe, encouraging, and trusting environment to promote personal growth. I believe our counseling relationship can help recognize client strengths, goals, and potential. When exploring current ways of thinking or behaving, we can further identify positive solutions that can be maintained over time. It is an honor to be a steppingstone in your journey to healing and I take responsibility in providing the best care to fit your needs.

I employ a developmental perspective in counseling and enjoy working with clients to deepen their understanding of themselves. I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ clients and enjoy supporting people in living their lives as their most authentic selves. I have worked with clients on issues related to anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, eating disorders, substance use, trauma, grief and loss, and other concerns. I endeavor to provide culturally-responsive services, focusing not only on you as an individual client, but the family, community, and broader systems in which we live.

Ambivalence is what we experience when having mixed feelings about something or someone. Does this describe you? If so, you are in good company. Ambivalence is the reason most people enter into therapy. Many feel torn when it comes to making change, and for good reason. It's hard letting go of familiar relationships or ways of coping- no matter how destructive. If you're yearning to break free of harmful ways, but afraid to embrace the uncertainty of change, you do not have to go it alone.

Accepting the journey we've been on and the need for change can feel overwhelming. Often therapy is seen as a one sided conversation, let's change that narrative together. As your therapist, it is important to me to create a relationship where you feel safe and supported. We can explore what acceptance, healing, and growth means to you and create a plan to achieve those goals.

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!

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. Clients take a journey to better understanding of themselves and others. We will set personal goals, and work together toward desired change through reflection, processing and skill building. When working with children I work with the child individually and also invite parents/guardians into session to learn skills to utilize at home to support the child with change.

Asking for help can be difficult. At Acacia, we understand that entering therapy can be a big step and how important it is that you feel respected, seen and heard. Our experience includes helping children, adolescents, adults, and families navigate difficult times in their lives. We work to help them feel empowered to make changes in their relationships, careers, or personal goals. Together, we will develop a treatment strategy that focuses on the issues and changes that you identify and are ready to address.

I am passionate about empowering and supporting individuals and couples as they grow. I recognize my clients as experts on their own lives, and assist them as they learn to identify and leverage their strengths to move toward a healthier place. I have experience assisting with: anxiety, depression, issues that arise throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, infertility & loss, parenting challenges, relationship conflict, navigating life changes, grief, attachment, non-binary, and transgender individuals.

It is safe to say, life doesn’t always go according to plan. And at times seeking help and support is the most courageous step you can take. YOU are the narrator of your story, and it is my hope to guide you to be the best possible version of yourself. Over the past 11 years I have worked with clients dealing with chronic illness, situational stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self-esteem & depression through an eclectic approach using CBT, motivational interviewing and EMDR.