Parenting Therapists in Suttons Bay, MI

Are you a new parent or preparing for a new baby and wondering how you are going to adjust to the changes that are ahead coupled by your worries or depressed mood? Do you currently struggle with anxiety or depression and wonder how the new baby's arrival might impact your moods and well-being? Are you struggling to feel connected with your little one? Do you feel more irritable, frustrated and unhappy more than you thought you would feel during this phase of your life?

I employ a diverse approach to therapy based on my knowledge of psychological philosophies and techniques in conjunction with the personality and needs of each client.

My work with children and families is based on building safe, supportive relationships. I carefully consider individual, couple and family strengths and needs, providing therapeutic direction based upon this. A combination of child development, mindfulness, and family systems informs my work. I use play therapy, sandtray, narrative-storytelling tools, practical skill building, arts, and parent coaching in my practice. The power of relationships and the recognition of one's strengths are emphasized throughout our work together.

Relationships are hard. Parenting is hard. You never thought caring for your baby would leave you feeling depressed, anxious, and/or angry. You and your child could have experienced unexpected stressful events leaving you both wondering how to make sense of it. You may be adjusting to life changes as your family grows or your responsibilities changed causing you to struggle with feelings of loss, irritability, and regret. It’s hard to voice these thoughts which causes you to feel overwhelmed, alone, worried, and confused. For these reasons, it is critical to have support to start to feel connected and excited about relationships.

In my work with couples and families, I provide a warm, non-judgmental presence to help you share your story, make discoveries, and meet your goals. I have a particular passion for helping couples, and I also work with individuals of all ages. I see family members as part of a connected system, and I honor each person's need for belonging and independence within their closest relationships. My background in education and love for the natural world shape my connection with clients.

You are taking a courageous first step towards finding relief and feeling like yourself again. I believe through a safe and supporting relationship, healing and growth can happen. I am specialized in areas around women's health and mental health experiences, including perinatal wellness( pregnancy, birth and postpartum), attachment, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss. Parenthood and the path to parenthood releases symptoms we never expected, and old wounds that we never thought would surface and rupture. I believe mental health is your intrinsic right. You deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to be well.

I strongly believe in the transformative power of relationships and recognize that change often occurs through meaningful connections. Specializing in working with individuals experiencing mood changes during the perinatal period, I focus on fertility/conception, adoption, pregnancy and infant loss, postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. I approach my work with intentionality and flexibility, embracing imperfections and validating the complexities of life and the systems individuals navigate. I empower my clients to navigate challenges and embrace their resilience, firmly believing that we can do hard things.

We all deserve to have our feelings and experiences validated, valued, and held; however, we often feel like we have unmet needs, that we aren’t seen or understood. This is particularly true for those of us who are caregivers. Our parents, elders, teachers, healthcare providers, people of color, femme folks, and those with many other identities hold so much in our society. While these responsibilities can be beautiful, they are often overwhelming as we navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, struggles with attachment and connection, and other stressors.

My practice is currently full. Please email me if you are interested in beginning services in June/July. I love working with people who are seeking growth and self-understanding. Therapy is hard work. It pushes us to see things in new ways and to explore feelings and behavior patterns. And, hopefully, it leads to feeling healthier and more connected to ourselves, our needs, and in our relationships. I approach therapy from a holistic and integrative perspective--I believe well-being is influenced and impacted by many factors including physical health, genetics, personality, and life experiences.

Life is about feeling our feelings, processing our experiences, overcoming hurdles and truly LIVING our lives in abundance. These elements contribute to living in the present with our whole hearts. My practice is called LIVE TRUE. I am always being lured to living true. To myself. To others. And to an abundant life. The Live True motto: Summoning strength and beauty. Igniting courage and compassion. May we all pursue what it means to truly LIVE! I offer individual and group counseling. Specialties include single mothers, teenagers, divorce, grief, loss, trauma, relationships, life transitions and career-related issues.

I like to offer my clients an opportunity to choose from an office visit to a walk and talk at a nearby trail or park. Through my research I have found that clients with difficulties like depression and anxiety respond best to treatment in the great outdoors.

My mission as a therapist is to help heal through relationships. I believe in a holistic approach to mental health and wellness while also prioritizing a person centered approach to counseling. As a trained school counselor, I have experience working with children in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in both independent and public school settings. I have taken this experience and passion for counseling and have created a practice that is focused on helping families on a deeper level.

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”-Rumi. You matter. What you think and feel matters. How you are treated matters. What you have been through matters. Perhaps you are a new mom, feeling overwhelmed and scared to admit things aren’t picture perfect. Perhaps you’re going though a hard transition, and feeling alone, lost, or confused. Maybe you’re no longer sure a relationship, or a job, is right for you, and are tired of not feeling seen or heard, valued or understood. Maybe constant worrying, or a hurtful past, is keeping you from living your life the way you want-with laughter, love, and hope.

Is your child overly worried or fearful? Do you have a stressed out teen who struggles with body image and eating problems? Are you experiencing recurrent intrusive unwanted thoughts or engaging in repetitive behaviors? As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with compassionate, supportive, and evidence-based therapy. Our solution-focused sessions will look at what is working well for you now and how to make changes to your thoughts, behaviors, coping skills, and relationships in order to feel better and stay better.

You are struggling, and have no one to turn to. You have come here seeking solutions, and I can help you find them. Sometimes life does not go the way we planned, or the way we wanted. Whether it's illness, depression, anxiety, doubt, grief, or shame, the end of a relationship, an engagement or marriage, the loss of a loved one, the birth of a child, or the achievement of a long-term goal, I can help you remove the roadblocks and get back on the path to your best life.

On the outside you're trying to keep it all together. On the inside you're falling apart. You feel stressed, overwhelmed, and everything is a struggle. No matter what you do it's never good enough. You're tired of feeling tired and ready for change. I specialize in helping people struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. This may show up in your life as low self-esteem, difficulty staying motivated, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions. You've taken a big step in looking for help. Finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with is an important part.

Do you find yourself struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, or adjusting to challenging life circumstances? As your therapist with nearly two decades of experience, I am here to provide dedicated support tailored to your unique needs. My specialization lies in assisting women of all ages, particularly those navigating issues related to feeling they have lost themselves somewhere along their journey. I help individuals like you discover strength, resilience, and fulfillment because we all want to look back without regrets.

Many of us are spending much needed energy reacting to our emotions and letting them control our day to day life. Emotions are important, but they do not have to control you! I specialize in helping you learn to cope with overwhelming emotions, anxiety, and depression. To learn more about my practice you can visit melissajoytherapy.com!