*During these difficult times I am offering teletherapy appointments* I have immediate openings available* My name is Meghan Cupka and I have been in practice for 12 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I completed my undergraduate degree at Aquinas College in Psychology and then completed my Master's Degree in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. I believe that every person has strengths that can help them over come life's challenges. I believe that my role is to walk with clients as they navigate through difficult situations and emotions. When your ready, I'm here!

Choosing the right therapist can be a really difficult decision. One of the biggest barriers to starting therapy may simply be that you don’t know what to expect. My goal as a therapist is to provide you with complete transparency as we work together to reach your goals. My role in our relationship is to support you as you process, grow, and heal.

Me 1st Counseling Services, LLC desires to walk along side of individuals, families, and groups as they navigate through life many complexities. One of the sure ways to do this is by working to make sure that communication on all levels and in all types of relationships is most effective, while having a high level of integrity and ethics coupled with multiple counseling approaches and life-coaching.

"Why is my life so out of control?" This is a very common question patients ask me when first entering treatment. The real question is what are the underlying root causes that is generating these challenging behaviors. Through a thorough assessment I will help you identify such areas as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, life stressors, etc. that may actually be driving the dysfunctional behaviors of alcoholism and/or drug abuse, marital distress, poor anger management and overall stressful interpersonal conflicts. Let me help you develop a plan of action to get your life back today.

If your life has been disrupted by anxiety, anger, depression, an addiction or the crisis of a divorce/break-up, job loss, financial difficulty or parenting challenge, know that you are not alone and that counseling can help you - heal; conquer any type of challenge; establish a workable life plan; repair relationships; renew your faith; and restore your emotional health. If your child is struggling with a behavior problem, ADHD, a learning difficulty or worrisome levels of stress and anxiety, counseling can help them gain self-control, alter disruptive behavior, use effective coping skills and restore their self-confidence.

Over the past eighteen years, I have worked in community mental health, residential and private practice facilities helping children, adolescents, and adults solve problems and make significant changes in their lives. I am a Limited Licensed Psychologist, Certified Trauma Specialist, Adoption Specialist and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I strongly believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important element in making lasting changes. Helping you feel comfortable so we can build a trusting and secure relationship is my goal.

My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for children and adults, in order for them to process individual difficulties, devise a plan of action, and facilitate emotional health and well-being. My client base includes those experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, sexual and physical abuse, parenting difficulties, relationship issues, and family discord. I view myself as a coach to help identify strengths, determine what might be hindering progress, and pave the way for moving forward.

When you begin to think about how you would like your life to look, I can imagine that you wish and believe for something to be different. The weight of the difficulties of life does not need to hold you back from being the best version of yourself. We all have strengths and difficulties. As a therapist, my goal is to help you become the best version of you by meeting you where you are and helping you to reach your personal goals. My ideal client is someone who is open to feedback and ready to create changes in life. I strongly believe that you are the expert of your life. I get to come along side and help you walk a different path!

I believe people are relational-beings, meaning, we develop and live our lives in relationships with others. When these relationships become distressed, it can lead to a multitude of feelings, such as depression, stress, anxiety and an overall feeling of uneasiness. These are the times when a person may need some guidance and help accessing their personal resources to find more balance in those relationships and in life in general.

I believe in the unique potential within each and every one of us, and it is this belief that drives me to help those in need. My passion and compassion, along with almost 14 years of experience, help me provide clients with tools, guidance, and support needed to journey towards healing, self-exploration, and resolution. I am known to work on many of the more difficult cases in the Grand Rapids area, and recognized by the school, legal and healthcare communities as being a leading provider of group and counseling services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Do you struggle with anxious thoughts? Have you experienced harm in your past? Are you or others getting in the way of you living your best life? You are not alone. I am here to listen and to give you the tools that you need for positive change.

Sad, Worried, and Stubborn Teenagers; Rocky Relationships; Worried Parents; and Stressed Individuals. These are the people I help. You probably already know what the problem is and what you don’t want anymore. You don’t want to be sad, you don’t want to be in this rut, or you're tired of arguing with your teenager or spouse about the same things over and over. Trying to solve it yourself can be like trying to eat a huge pizza that hasn’t been cut into slices-- it's overwhelming and you don’t know where to start. My job is to help you break the solution into pieces so you can decide where to start and what your next steps are.

Therapy is where you sort out all your worries, fears, traumas and relationships. We can avoid our problems for only so long. Eventually our body begins to feel them. Headaches, muscle aches, insomnia and lack of appetite are just some symptoms of an untreated mental health condition. Therapy with me is like talking to an aunt, a friend or another trusted individual. I aim to be that friendly face in your life. However, I am a trained professional and can offer you the help loved ones cannot. You don’t have to do this alone. It may not be easy but it’ll be completely worth it.

Dr. Janice DeLange has over 25 years of clinical experience including 17 years of university graduate school teaching. She is a holistic therapist using mind-body approaches in a spiritual sensitive manner and will support your use of alternative methods to medicine if you so choose. Dr. DeLange works with people who suffer from trauma, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), abuse, panic and phobias, anxiety, depression, self-esteem. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be used to clear the disturbing emotions that hold one back from getting what is wanted from life. Cognitive Therapy can help to change self-defeating beliefs that too often accompany negative experiences.

With over twenty-five years of experience, I am dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate, and individualized psychotherapy to help you achieve change and personal growth. I understand that what may work in helping one person meet their goals may not work for another. Therefore, I use a flexible, individualized, and integrative approach to help you achieve a greater sense of well being by gaining understanding and greater mastery over the factors that underlie your difficulties. I will also work with you to build on your existing strengths and develop new skills to resolve your concerns.

My goal is to work together in a collaborative, non-judgmental and client centered manner. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, self worth/self esteem problems, addiction, or have difficulty managing your relationships, I can work with you to identify healthy ways in which to cope and better manage your emotions. Together we can also identify ways to help you with making healthy lifestyle changes both emotionally and physically. I encourage a holistic (mind, body, spirit) approach to treatment. As you become more aware of your strengths you become more confident in yourself and your abilities.

I am a licensed Clinical Therapist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have been in the field for over 10 years. I practice Solution Focused Therapy using Person Centered approach. My goal is not to change you but to help facilitate the change that you desire.

It takes courage to go to a counselor for help. Whether you are struggling with an on-going issue, or just going through a rough time in life, whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment to a new situation, grief/loss, mood issues, or something else, working with a counselor will help. The good news is that because you are willing to reach out for a helping hand, you already have a good start on what it takes to achieve the change you are looking to make! You have awareness and willingness; 2 ingredients for success!