Therapists in Saint Joseph, MI

Relationship Trauma? I primarily work with clients who have concerns of past childhood trauma, relationship trauma, and religious trauma, which often cause struggles of depression, anxiety, toxic relationships, or relationship struggles, parenting problems, people pleasing, anger management difficulties, career challenges and adjusting to major life changes. I am non-judgmental, direct, and empowering in my counseling style. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

I view therapy as having three heavy hitters: 1) EMDR - to neutralize strong negative emotions around adverse events (big & little traumas) and 2) Understanding loss and how to release it by feeling it and then not going back to think about it and 3) Learning how to have an attitude of healing and letting go. These culminate in living an empowered life which results in having a calm confidence. My clients set weekly goals and amaze me with their determination and willingness to go the distance to grow, mature and experience full healing. My teachings and handouts are creative and original.

KCC clinicians specialize in trauma and work from a trauma-informed platform. What this means is that we treat various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and substance use from the idea that trauma has affected the individual’s overall mental health. We also treat Dissociative Disorders, are rainbow allies and seek to provide a nurturing, empathetic environment for our clients. We also enthusiastically celebrate all diversity and have specific skills and experience in relation to working with the disabled minority. We currently have a waitlist for Dissociative Disorder treatment needs. Email communication preferred.

I believe the ability to heal already exists in you, waiting to be uncovered from beneath past protective patterns that no longer serve you. Maybe you're successful & functioning on the outside, but inside you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Your mind overthinks & your body is tense. From past trauma or current stress, part of you feels broken, not enough, unworthy, or unlovable. You already know this shame, but aren't aware of other parts of you. Those that know how to rest, relax, self-care, balance emotions, & love yourself. You hope you can befriend your own mind, body, & spirit as allies instead of enemies.

People enter into a counseling relationship when nothing else seems to be working. Although most people soon make comments such as, “(Counseling) was a lot better than I thought it would be”, few people seek counseling as a first option. More often we seek out techniques that either help us to temporarily avoid (e.g., media, social networking) our anxiety, or we seek temporary shots of pleasure (e.g., alcohol, food, pornography) that make us feel good for a short time. Soon enough we realize that all of these things leave us feeling more hollow and lonely, and that is when we start thinking about counseling.

Life can be hard at times. I am here to help you move through the challenges of life. I will work with you to make positive life changes. The resources for growth and healing lie within. My aim is to help you tap into your inner strength and move forward.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker. I earned my bachelor's degree in History from Taylor University; a Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University; and a Master's degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. I have over 25 years of experience working in counseling, training, higher education, non-profit administration, and financial planning. My experience as a clinical therapist, has spanned over 23 years. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addictive personalities, spiritual issues, financial issues, and cognitive restructuring.

Life has a way of knocking us down, doesn’t it? It can be tough to create a life that feels fulfilling. We can find ourselves dissatisfied in our relationships, career, or life, and it can be difficult to shake the nagging sense that life has not turned out how we expected or hoped. Perhaps, you are struggling with a difficult boss or a job that doesn’t quite seem to fit your skill set. Or perhaps, no matter matter how hard you try you cannot seem to make progress with your relationships (whether that be your spouse, significant other, family, or friends), and it continues to be distant, disconnected, or conflicted.