Elders (65+) Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

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.

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.

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.

Everyone struggles from time to time. Whatever has come your way - depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, emotional conflict or crisis - searching for relief is a courageous first step and a sign of great strength, not weakness. By helping people feel comfortable talking about the struggles in their lives, they can figure out ways to make things better. However, this is not easy, especially when you're overwhelmed. By providing real solutions to your struggles, I strive to help you mobilize your strengths and cope effectively with the life challenges you are facing.

Maria A. Bosnak, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University, with an Interpersonal Practice scope. Maria has experience working with children of all ages, teens, young adults and families. Maria has shown to be effective in developing healthy long-lasting therapeutic relationships. She has experience working with many life themes; grief, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, academics, teen pregnancy, foster care, substance use, social media, and other difficult issues that adolescents, teens, and adults face.

Therapy isn't easy, but with dedication, support, and a touch of humor, I will see you through. I treat PTSD, Depression, Addictions, Borderline Personality Disorders, Health issues, ADHD, Couples issues, Grief, and anger and more. Supervision for LLPC's.

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 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.

I have found that everyone struggles in one way or another at some time in their lives. It is how we grow and adapt to those struggles that define who we are and how we live the rest of our lives. I have partnered with clients in order to assist them with turning these struggles into times of learning, growing and healing.

My main areas of practice include: alcohol and drug addiction, relational conflict, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, trauma and PTSD. I work with a client centered, interpersonal approach to confidentially support and respond to the individual uniqueness of each client. I focus on creating open and direct dialogue using an element of humor to create relational safety.The level of ongoing anxiety and stress accompanying addiction as well as from everyday life tends to be relentless, overwhelming and at times, traumatizing. My goal is to assist clients in building insight and personalized skills to reduce distress and experience meaningful, corrective, emotional experiences.

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.

Opening up to another person can be tough and making the steps to start therapy can be difficult. Make the first step easier and schedule a free phone or in person fifteen-minute consultation.We all experience pain, and this can lead to suffering. We experience suffering when we react to pain, get stuck in unhelpful behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and end up caught in a place we do not want to be. As a counselor I have had the honor of working with great individuals helping them help themselves work through pain and be able to discover and more deeply connect to what is important to them; living a life more fully.

We all go through various challenges in life, and some may be easier to navigate alone than others. Just like going to a doctor to maintain your physical health, meeting with a counselor can be a vital part of maintaining your mental health. Therapy can provide you with the tools necessary for working through challenges in your life. As well as improving your overall wellness, counseling can also help you with developing a better understanding of yourself. Throughout the counseling process, you can develop skills for improving your relationships, coping with life stressors, and emotional pressures.

Immediate evening openings for new clients. Are you looking for couples counseling, family therapy, or help for yourself to improve your relationships? Couples counseling can be a great avenue to improve and grow in a relationship; even before serious issues arise. Every family has challenges; through the therapeutic process, families can learn new techniques and skills to better support their loved ones.

I approach therapy as a process of joining with my clients in dealing with difficult situations that they face. I will listen carefully and strive to provide an emotionally safe and nonjudgmental space to explore and work through your concerns. Experiencing a genuine connection in a relaxed atmosphere is an essential part of the therapy process. Whether you find yourself stuck in old patterns or life changes, I can provide support, discovery and insight that can help you move through painful issues to a life with more joy, meaning and peace.

I provide services in English and Spanish. If you are currently struggling with a circumstance in your own life that is draining your energy and ability to feel hopeful, call me. Whether you want to improve your personal life, create more trust and intimacy with your partner or improve your relationships to feel happier, I can help you. I support individuals, couples and families reconnect and heal. Some of the issues you might want to work on might be depression either related to pregnancy or to other factors, anxiety, adjustment to change, family conflict, divorce and infidelity among others.