Emotionally Focused Therapists in Kalamazoo, MI

Is it time to look within to address your needs, heal, and grow? In my practice, I work collaboratively with my clients to find the root cause of their issues. I treat my clients' holistically, making sure all their needs are addressed. I like to make sure each of my clients get what they are looking for out of counseling and that they feel heard. I work with adolescents (12 and up) and adults who have experienced anxiety, depression, significant trauma, attachment issues, autism spectrum disorder, interpersonal concerns, low self-esteem and social phobia.

More than 35 years of counseling experience have taught me that within each of us is an inherent drive toward emotional health. As your therapist, I want to create a safe and caring relationship in which I serve as your companion on a journey toward self-understanding and healing at the level of heart, mind, body and spirit. I work to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, shame, grief, developmental trauma, difficult life transitions, issues of mid-life and aging, and career issues.

The most important relationships in our lives sometimes feel like they are the most difficult. Clients that come to me are feeling "stuck" in their relationships with a marriage partner, or family member. They come asking how they can be better connected, feel closer and reduce conflict.

In a relationship with a partner that leaves you exasperated or in despair? Feeling that parts of yourself won't let you move on and experience the life you want? I specialize in attachment---the way we connect with those most important to us. I will meet you where you are. I'll work hard to understand what you are experiencing and help you find what you are looking for in your connection to those most important to you.

My goal is to help clients achieve improved functioning as quickly as possible. I believe the most powerful transformation comes from a combination of techniques to understand and reset non-adaptive patterns, including neurofeedback, other forms of biofeedback, such as heart rate variability, emotional freedom technique ( EFT ), and a personality assessment I use called the Enneagram, combined with behaviorally-based counseling, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The combination of these techniques provide the foundation for holistically examining issues that stand in the way of a fuller life.

We will all go through times in our lives where we may need some extra support. My goal as a therapist is to provide you with a relaxed, safe, non-judgmental and caring environment, where we can work together to achieve your goals. I believe that everyone has their own set of strengths, and we will use a variety of creative interventions which will allow you to feel empowered and take control over your path to success. Together, we can find practical and realistic solutions to address your identified areas of need. I offer individual and family therapy to children and adults in a LGBTQ+ open and affirming practice.

Oftentimes, the impacts of past pain leave us feeling drained, overwhelmed and confused about our path forward. We can lack a sense of self-worth, after being hurt by the very people who were supposed to take care of us. I help clients reconnect to their inner power to reparent and restore lost parts of themselves. On this journey, I guide clients in reawakening their naturally empowered, vibrant selves. I specialize in working with adults, couples, teens and families seeking healing, connection, and change both inside of themselves and within their closest relationships.

Reaching out can be the most challenging task to engage in. Constant changes and life transitions can leave us feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. Relationships can feel strained with our partners, friends, family and even ourselves. Creating space to navigate these life impacts is one way I seek to help clients.

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.

You are unique in all the world! There is no one just like you with your story or life. Your family, pets, friends, community--where you came from--what you have overcome and endured-all these make you the unique person you are. At some time you may wish to turn the page on your story. My therapy involves walking with you while you decide where you want to go from here--who the person is that you want to be--how you want your life and story to change. I will listen and challenge, support and invite you to learn new skills and growth.

I am a Solution Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, which concentrates on problem solving rather than the situation itself. I create an environment that fosters the feeling that you have an advocate who helps you navigate through situations, which may be difficult. I love being a therapist and that comes through by demonstrating a genuine concern with the issues you bring forth. I am committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue with you in order to recognize and help foster an understanding of your struggles, needs, and personal goals. I will also strive to enable you to find strategies to cope with and resolve any issues.

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.

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.

I am happy to work with people who are looking to strive toward their own personal strength, passion, and peace through counseling. I can provide support for an individual, couple, or entire family. I have completed Gottman Level 1 Couples Therapy Training, and enjoy helping to restore harmony to couples of all kinds. I am more than happy to make accommodations for fees based upon income for those who are uninsured, under-insured, or wish to not use their plan benefits. I look forward to developing a therapeutic alliance with clients while working toward resilience, independence, decision-making, and life competence.