Therapists in 49686
Kristen VanDerKolk
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Waitlist for new clients
Child services range from ages 3+ using play therapy approach to uncover stress, anxiety, ADHD, self regulation, school/behavioral issues, & anger.
I consider counseling a safe space to share struggles that we are facing in this world. Life can be hard, lonely, and overwhelming at times for all ages. Having support for yourself as you navigate through difficult feelings, situations, and decisions is what counseling provides. I believe that we all want to live at our true potential and sometimes that takes a refresh or deep look at how we are currently functioning. Life is a journey meant to be experienced with others.
Child services range from ages 3+ using play therapy approach to uncover stress, anxiety, ADHD, self regulation, school/behavioral issues, & anger.
I consider counseling a safe space to share struggles that we are facing in this world. Life can be hard, lonely, and overwhelming at times for all ages. Having support for yourself as you navigate through difficult feelings, situations, and decisions is what counseling provides. I believe that we all want to live at our true potential and sometimes that takes a refresh or deep look at how we are currently functioning. Life is a journey meant to be experienced with others.
Linda Smith
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
When counseling children, teens and families, I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness, play, art, sand tray and narrative approaches.
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
When counseling children, teens and families, I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness, play, art, sand tray and narrative approaches.
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
Mental Wellness Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Mental Wellness Counseling is a Northern Michigan Counseling Practice. Our counselors use their passion, experience and specialties to help clients heal from traumatic experiences, address symptoms related to anxiety and depression, help strengthen relationships and help guide you through the journey of finding the best version of yourself. When you call we try to make the best fit for you based on your needs and goals. We offer face to face and virtual sessions to best meet your needs. We now have 3 locations! Two in Traverse City and a new office in Manistee!
Mental Wellness Counseling is a Northern Michigan Counseling Practice. Our counselors use their passion, experience and specialties to help clients heal from traumatic experiences, address symptoms related to anxiety and depression, help strengthen relationships and help guide you through the journey of finding the best version of yourself. When you call we try to make the best fit for you based on your needs and goals. We offer face to face and virtual sessions to best meet your needs. We now have 3 locations! Two in Traverse City and a new office in Manistee!
Danielle Portillo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BSW, LMSW, SSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
My work as a therapist is grounded in the core values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized to client's expressive nature. I work with clients who would like to challenge their growth and get to know themselves in order become a better version of who they are. I believe that each of us has a life path and holds the capacity to authentically contribute to our world in a unique & positive manner.
My work as a therapist is grounded in the core values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized to client's expressive nature. I work with clients who would like to challenge their growth and get to know themselves in order become a better version of who they are. I believe that each of us has a life path and holds the capacity to authentically contribute to our world in a unique & positive manner.
Melissa Joy (Ryba) Hall
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
Not accepting new clients
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!
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!
Margo Million
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LMSW
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686
Not accepting new clients
For the past 20 years I have had the privilege of working with children, teens, adults, and their families who are struggling with trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, health issues, school or work problems. I have significant training working with childhood trauma and attachment issues. Many of my clients want to change some patterns that are preventing them from living the life they want or achieving their life goals. My approach to therapy is collaborative and draws from my experience in relationship-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems work.
For the past 20 years I have had the privilege of working with children, teens, adults, and their families who are struggling with trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, health issues, school or work problems. I have significant training working with childhood trauma and attachment issues. Many of my clients want to change some patterns that are preventing them from living the life they want or achieving their life goals. My approach to therapy is collaborative and draws from my experience in relationship-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems work.
See more therapy options for 49686
Play Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behavior and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behavior.