Family Systems 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.

Counseling can serve many different purposes--it can help us gain understanding into ourselves, gain understanding in how we navigate our world and relationships, it can help us heal from past hurts. I strive to offer a therapeutic setting where clients feel welcome and safe to process challenges in life and to gain perspective. For some clients building skills and tools can be helpful in overcoming struggles. I provide an avenue to equip clients in this way. I have been a counselor for over 30 years, and believe people are uniquely created with God given potential to live a victorious life.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a whirlwind, looking for a place that is safe to express ourselves and our needs. Here is that place...a place where you can find peace to resolve the crushing feelings of hurt, pain, and being misunderstood. Imagine a day when you are able to navigate through life effectively, communicate your needs, and accomplish your goals with less anxiety, less depression, and less anger. Awesome right? It is our intent to help guide adolescents, families, and individuals in learning healthy communication and healthy coping skills to incorporate into their daily lives. Let's learn together.

Being a therapist is truly an honor and privilege. I admire the bravery, vulnerability, and curiosity of my clients which brings them into a room with a stranger to share their most intimate struggles and life experiences with the hope of seeing life in a new way. I approach therapy with a compassionate directness that challenges my clients to break free of unhelpful patterns and develop new skills and ways of thinking that allows them to move toward the life they want to lead. I hope to help clients better manage life's curveballs with grace, compassion, and confidence knowing that, even though life is hard now, it won't always be.

It is my belief that people need truth to be emotionally and spiritually healthy. But I believe that the truth needs to be compassionately delivered with a heart full of grace. My sincere hope is that encouragement is evident in my counsel, whether I am visiting with a troubled married couple or an 8 year-old child who has been the victim of abuse. The identified desire of the client is the target of the counseling sessions and my goal to help each individual, couple or family experience freedom.

We can sit here and tell you all about how experienced we are, how we have worked with all individuals and many mental health concerns, but when you look for a therapist, is that the most important thing that you look for? Maybe it is, or maybe you are looking for a therapist that you can relate to, that provides a warm and inviting environment. Maybe you want someone that can throw all rules aside and when you are having a bad day/week can be there just to listen. If you can relate, then Willow Path Counseling is the right place.

I believe counseling can bring you a greater understanding and acceptance of yourself. Counseling provides you with an opportunity for self-growth and development. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment in which you can explore the issues that are holding you back from being your best self. I have experience working with individuals struggling with a wide range of issues such as, self-esteem issues, emotional control, relational problems, anxiety, parenting, depression, and trauma.

For the past five years my focus has been on delivering evidenced-based family therapy to families within our communities. Within this time frame, I have worked with families and individuals to alleviate the various stressors that plague our lives on a daily basis. My focus revolves around empowering those I work with using a strength-based focus and addressing the individuals or families most pressing issues using a collaborative approach.

The first step towards healing and growth is often the hardest, and I am honored to be able to walk alongside my clients through this work. I embrace differences of all kinds in my practice and aim to create a space where we will collaborate towards goals, develop resiliency skills, and identify strengths to highlight what makes you who you are. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, I give clients the choice to integrate art making with evidence based, psycho therapeutic practices as a supportive, nonjudgmental tool for communication and expression.

I consider being a therapist a unique privilege. For someone to meet a complete stranger, feel safe enough to take risks, and disclose very personal details of one's life takes great courage and commitment to one's self. I believe in creating a safe, confidential environment free of judgment and one of trust and acceptance. My mission is to help individuals, couples, and families achieve the goals they set for themselves as they seek to be healthier, happier, and create a new life path and, perhaps, a new life story.

Each of us face challenges of all sizes every day and sometimes those challenges begin to weigh on us and take a toll. In today’s world many of us are facing a great deal of pressure to be all we can be without an opportunity to stop and consider who we really want to be; without a way to release that stress we often begin to feel overwhelmed. Counseling provides that opportunity to work through life’s stress piece by piece, rather than taking on life’s challenges all at once and beginning to better understand yourself in the process.

Every individual deserves to be their authentic self and find happiness in their day-to-day life. Allow me to be your companion in achieving this. While I cannot promise a perfect life, I can help you find meaning, peace, boundaries, and a sense of self.

Maria A. Williams, 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.

Sometimes life rocks us to the core. Starting your journey toward growth and healing is not only a sign of strength - it's brave! I believe therapy works best when you feel seen and deeply understood; therefore, it is my priority to build an authentic, trusting relationship with each one of my clients. Whatever the issue(s) may be, I am dedicated to working as a team to process concerns affecting your overall well-being.

Are you feeling completely exhausted and overwhelmed with the day to day? Are you feeling like you are stuck in life and lack direction? Everyone struggles from time to time. Whatever has come your way - depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, emotional conflict or crisis, you can navigate through it. I help people feel comfortable talking about the struggles in their lives, so they can figure out ways to make things better for themselves and their family. I help develop real solutions to your struggles and strive to help you mobilize your strengths and cope effectively with the life challenges you are facing.

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.

I believe in order to make changes in our lives, we must first examine the impact that past relationships, experiences, and environments have had on us. The therapeutic process allows us to examine and process how things that have happened to us can impact who we are as individuals and integrate the past into who we are in the present. The therapeutic relationship can help us to identify sources of resilience and strength that can help us to overcome past negative experiences. By connecting our past with who we are in the present, we can start the process of change.

Meet Shacara Burrel, the visionary force behind Becoming Balanced, LLC. With a Juris Doctorate and a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, Shacara empowers individuals and couples to find balance in life's challenges. As a single mother navigating multiple systems, she understands the crucial role of mental health. Her therapeutic approach is a bridge between the complexities of today and your desired destination of tomorrow. Advocacy, equality, and relatability are the pillars of her practice, fostering relationships that empower and motivate.

Need help with your child's behaviors or attitude? I can provide your child and you with the necessary tools to make positive changes. Need help managing depression, anxiety, anger, or substance abuse? Together we can increase your ability to manage life's challenges. I work with children, young adults, and adults. I provide a non-judgmental, client-centered, and relaxed environment. I will assist you in learning about yourself, and how you can make decisions and choices that best support your mental health.