Therapists in Ypsilanti, MI

My work as a therapist is finding the treasure that I know is inside of you. I realize that your “gem” is often there, but covered up by years of bad habits, unfortunate events, or mental health issues beyond your control. I believe that you have your own answers to your problems and I am here to help you clarify and find those answers. I take a person-centered approach. I may challenge you, but do so with compassion and understanding that life is a journey with bumps in the road for all of us.

I enjoy getting to know my clients from the very beginning, in order to focus our counseling work on what best fits each person, family, or couple. I believe in establishing a strong, flexible, and collaborative therapeutic relationship as the foundation for positive work with clients. I am comfortable working with clients through a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship and/or family counseling, self-confidence and identity struggles, life transitions, feeling "stuck" in life, and much more. I am also open to including topics of spirituality in our counseling work, for any clients who are interested.

Everyone deserves to have a good day and a better tomorrow. I realize that taking on a personal change out of desire or necessity is often harder than it sounds. I work with all ages, life-stages, and conditions. People arrive with their bag of “stuff”: hopes, disappointments, wounds, trauma, diagnoses, and connections. I start where you are and work with you to create a path to a place of well-being.

If anxiety and/or depression are getting in the way of a good life, I am in business to help you get on a better track. Perhaps a relationship is faltering or has recently ended and you are looking for extra support. I have particular interest and training in the following areas: Issues involving Relationship troubles and trauma, sexual orientation and gender expression (LGBTQ), Couples Counseling (EFT- Emotionally Focused Therapy), Mindfulness and Body/Emotion connections.

My work is short term and solution focused. I draw on several therapeutic approaches, depending on the nature of the problem, including behavior therapy, family therapy and strategic therapy. I have a diverse background from 50 years of experience in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. I am expert in a number of psychotherapeutic approaches, including short-term solution-focused therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, family-systems therapy, and psychoanalytic therapy. I developed an evidence-based wellness program with a positive psychology emphasis at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital.

For over 20 years, Dr. Stephen Purcell has been helping adults, adolescents, couples and families improve their relationships; cope with stress, anxiety and depression; work through trauma, grief, and loss; overcome addictions; and navigate major life transitions like divorce and career change. Whether you are currently facing a crisis or simply want to improve the way you function in everyday life, Dr. Purcell has the training, skills and experience to assist you.

Do you find yourself trapped? Doing things that you never wanted to do? Is your child in trouble, withdrawn, angry, disrespectful, using drugs? Are you depressed, considering divorce? These are some of the problems I’ve been able to successfully assist people in addressing and overcoming. I have 30+ years of experience working with individuals, families, groups and couples. I’ve worked in inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics and prison settings. I’ve worked with patient populations in substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger management, sexual addiction, African-American and Hispanic populations

It’s through connection that we find meaning and discover we are not alone. I love working with clients who are curious and ready for positive change. I use Internal Family Systems, EMDR and other evidence-based tools to help my clients navigate their own process of self exploration, resolve trauma, and move in the direction of healing and growth. I believe therapy is an opportunity to explore what is unsaid or undiscovered in our experience. We can learn to hold space for the parts of ourselves most in need of our love and appreciation so we can truly live our most fulfilled life.

I provide a safe environment and support as you make sense of the past and present, build your relationship with yourself, and move into the future. I help with self-esteem, anger, life transitions, addiction (individual and within the family/ relationship), relationship/ interpersonal problems, depression, anxiety, trauma, and LGBTQ-specific issues. I also understand that your story is more complex than can be communicated by a label.

I believe people heal and grow through relationships and insight. I love working with curious clients who are interested in self-discovery. I use Internal Family Systems, Compassion-Based Mindfulness, and other evidence-based tools to help my clients navigate their process of self-exploration, resolve trauma, and accomplish their goals. I believe therapy is an opportunity to explore what is unsaid or undiscovered in our experience. I am a sex-positive therapist and I welcome members from LGBTQIA, Poly, and Kink communities.

Have you ever felt stuck in the same cycle over and over no matter how hard you try to break away? These type of patterns can often make it feel impossible to stay connected, be at peace, and thrive. I want you to know there is hope. Together we can explore how past patterns and trauma affect the present while building on your strengths to manifest a feeling of inner strength and freedom. I value creating an affirming therapeutic space where clients of LGBTQ+ identities, kink/sex-positive practices, and polyamorous relationships are safe and welcomed.

Talk therapy serves a valuable purpose by aiding your brain in processing challenging emotions during specific moments in your life and enabling introspection regarding associated thoughts. However, what if you find yourself trapped in the depressive, anxious, angry, or shameful mental state for so long that you have nothing new to explore? What if, despite recounting your traumatic experiences numerous times, your low energy, sadness, avoidance, anger, or impulsivity still persists? And what if the somatic reactions triggered by certain events are so intense and rapid that you are unable to employ sound judgment?

My approach to counseling is to meet clients where they are, allowing for an opportunity to collaborate with my clients in determining how best to approach their needs. I simply ask that clients go into therapy with an open mind and are open to the process. This allows for guided conversation, with an empathetic, third-party in a completely safe, judgment-free, and collaborative environment. My goal is to provide an environment where you feel comfortable and supported. I have worked with clients both in-person and virtually. We will work on identifying goals that are important to you and help you explore ways you can achieve them.

Whether you are depressed, anxious, angry, lost or feeling directionless I want to help you take the next step in finding hope, healing, purpose and joy. I use a strengths perspective to focus or explore what you are passionate about while nudging you to achieve the goals or dreams you desire. I incorporate experiential learning and processing to improve self-awareness during every session.

Being a human being can be quite challenging! There's a saying about the mind: 'the mind is a good servant, but a cruel taskmaster!' Many of us never learned how to calm our minds, limit our worrying, and self-soothe. Mindfulness training is one of the most researched methods for learning to do this. My work with individuals helps them to become skilled in this way, and to lessen the grip of attitudes and beliefs that limit us in significant ways. I work with individuals in this way, as well as with groups.

As my client, you will be heard, understood, respected, and valued. Your challenges and concerns are important and are the focus of our collaboration. I have had good success assisting clients in how they feel while also increasing their understanding of the how and why of their difficulties. My services are compassionate, clinically based, ethical, and confidential. I provide a safe environment, which balances supporting you and challenging you emotionally. My office is in a convenient Downtown Ann Arbor Location with reimbursed parking. Together we rediscover your assets, strengths, and accomplishments and utilize these in the present.

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, past traumatic experiences or memories? Do you wish you had some additional support, coping skills or life strategies? I help my clients let go of fears, establish strong boundaries, and create healthy new relationships. I assist my clients in developing more self-awareness, self-confidence and emotional connection to themselves and others. I would be happy to schedule a free phone consultation with you to determine if I would be a good fit for you and your needs.

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Brian is a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who has a particular passion for helping people to manage ADHD, Autism, and the many issues that can develop because of living with these conditions. He also has experience working with anxiety and mood disorders as well as grief and trauma.