Our Team

Listening and respect is paramount.  I see therapy as a collaborative and supportive process.  The individual is the expert on themselves and I see my role as being a “safe container” to explore answers and solutions.  If an individual knows what they need to work on, we develop ways to implement a plan.  If they have tried to change without success, we examine what is impeding their process.  Therapy occurs within a conversational framework with chances to provide feedback on what is working and what needs improvement.  I am very interactive in my style and deeply enjoy my career.  I have taught at various colleges and universities, supervised, presented training workshops, and developed therapy programs.

I read and attend trainings beyond what is required so that I am on the cutting edge of empirically supported treatment methods.  Treatment models include: Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, EMDR, and trauma treatment, systems, as well as other methods.  I am dual licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and as a Psychologist which allows me to conceptualize concerns from an intrapsychic or systems perspective.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individual and Couples Counseling

• Geriatrics and Adults

• Trauma and PTSD

• Personality Disorders

• Health Psychology

• Modalities: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Family Systems

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapist

MI Association of Marriage and Family Therapist

Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor

It is my belief that changes can be made in anyone, with the right guidance and direction.  Changing one’s thinking in order to change one’s behaviors is possible to achieve with the right tools and knowledge.

I completed my education with a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.  I am also credentialed by MCBAP as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  I possess a great deal of knowledge in dealing with adults, children, adolescents, families, and the criminal justice population.

Over the years, my diverse areas of experience include couples therapy, crisis intervention, one-on-one psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, assessments, treatment planning, and consultations in both public and private agencies, schools, hospitals, courts, and jail. I have treated consumers with mild to severe psychological disorders, and have been working in conjunction with area physicians who are prescribing Suboxone, in order to bring the medical and psychological models together to aid in a safer and better way to recover from opiate addiction.  My training has been extensive in the fields of mental health and substance abuse.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy

• Substance Abuse/Addiction Therapy

• Adults and Adolescents

• Modalities: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness based CBT

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Limited License Psychologist

Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MCBAP certified)

International Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor

National Association for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors member (NAADAC)

Michigan Association for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors member (MAADAC)

Michigan Psychological Association member (MPA)

Keynote speaker for 2nd International Conference on Addiction Therapy & Clinical Reports with the Scientific Federation (Barcelona, Spain, 2019)

Academy of Cognitive Therapy – Certified Affiliate

Credentialing Committee Member for Cognitive Therapy

Certified Supervisor for Cognitive Therapy through the Beck Institute

Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals

Therapy is a vehicle for growth and change. Our lives lead us all in different directions and sometimes we need to stop along the way for support in order to achieve change. Every person is an expert on his/her own life and sometimes support, guidance, and perspective is needed in order to find success. Everyone has a story and it’s through telling that story that strength, resilience, and growth occurs. I believe that everyone’s story deserves to be heard. Through collaboration in a safe environment, change and growth can take place.
My Master of Science degree was earned from Georgia Southern University in Clinical Psychology. Though I have completed my formal education, my philosophy is that the learning process never stops, and thus, I am always seeking additional training on topics in the mental health field. I have worked in a variety of settings including the corrections field, a state psychiatric facility, and in intensive home-based counseling. I have treated individuals with a wide range of mental health issues and have also conducted group and family sessions. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly from various backgrounds and cultures. My preferred modalities of treatment include person-centered, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, and DBT, though I am versed in CBT, family systems, and TF-CBT. With my experience and dedication to the work that I do, I believe that I can help you in your journey of growth and change and I look forward to hearing your story.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individuals, families, and couples

• Adolescents and adults

• Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Personality Disorders, LGBTQ, Grief & Loss

• Modalities: DBT, EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, CBT

Licenses & Professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association

I have made a career following my passion by working to assist individuals to become their best, true self. I believe in working alongside my clients to inspire them to set and achieve their goals. My decades of experience working with families, individuals and couples has told me that change is possible and that each person is the expert in their own life. My role is to provide guidance on the journey through self-discovery and growth by building a trusting relationship with you. By providing a safe space for you to explore your needs, wants, and goals, I believe that you will be able to live the life you want and deserve. I live by the philosophy that learning is a lifelong journey and I look for opportunities to continue to grow personally and professionally each day. I completed my formal education earning my Master of Counseling and my Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. I have been trained in grief and loss in children and adolescents through my volunteer work with Hospice Care of SW Michigan and am currently completing training towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist with the Association for Play Therapy. I have a strong interest and continue to learn about the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’S) and resiliency. Sessions with me vary with each individual, couple, or family, but I use a person-centered approach as the base for my interactions. I often employ techniques that include play, cognitive-behavioral, narrative, solution-focused therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I love learning about the lives of others and hearing each person’s story. I believe we are all on our own journey and there is a reason for why we feel and act the way we do. I look forward to hearing your story and answering any questions you have about this exciting process.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individual, couples, and family counseling

• Adult, Adolescent, and Children

• Adjustment, depression, and Anxiety

• Modalities: CBT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, SFBT

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

I believe that every person has the right to a healthy mind and body and I am my client’s ally on their journey to wellness. I believe in a collaborative approach and see the therapeutic relationship as a primary tool for healing. I am intentional about exploring my client’s feelings and goals so that we may discover the best and healthiest decisions in their life. I consider myself to be an attachment focused, interpersonally driven, cognitive behavioral therapist. I utilize various techniques, primarily a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy and reality therapy. I believe that negative thinking has a direct impact on behavior, and I believe in helping clients to discover alternative options that positively impact their lives.

In addition to counseling, I also specialize in conducting neuropsychological evaluations. I find the complexity and plasticity of the brain absolutely fascinating. Neuropsychological evaluations are valuable for expanding outside the limits of structural neuroimaging and provide insight into the function of the brain across a variety of domains. This insight can assist physicians in making differential diagnosis and moving forward with treatment planning. I have worked with a variety of neuropathological identities, neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injuries in university medical centers, VA hospitals and private practice.

I hold my Doctor of Psychology specializing in Neuropsychology from Adler University. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselor Education: Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Michigan University as well as a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. I have two Bachelor of Science degrees from Grand Valley State University in Psychology and Clinical Exercise Science. I am very passionate about the connection between physical and mental wellness. I also spent time studying abroad in Rome Italy conducting research in social psychology. I have a deep appreciation for different cultures and the uniqueness of human beings. I am trained to work with individual clients, as well as have specialty training for couples and families which allows me a systems perspective. I am certified in both Gottman level 1 and 2 training and I am trained in EMDR.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individual and Couples Counseling

• Adults and Geriatric

• Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessments

• Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorders

• Modalities: CBT, EMDR, SFT, Reality Therapy, EFT, Mindfulness, Family Systems

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

I believe that every individual is unique, and we are all made up of different needs, beliefs, strengths, dreams, and areas of growth.  My role is to support you in increasing self-awareness while learning new strategies to build a life worth living. I use an eclectic approach and will incorporate strategies from several treatment modalities including dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and art therapy. Alongside these approaches I will maintain a non-judgmental stance and focus on helping you tap into your inner wisdom and strengths to assist you in accomplishing your goals.

I am a licensed professional counselor and obtained my Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Throughout my career I have been fortunate to gain experience in a variety of settings, including inpatient, homebased and other community settings, as well as outpatient services. Although I have obtained the skills and knowledge necessary to work with teens and adults experiencing a variety of mental health issues, I am always learning and seeking new opportunities to grow in my knowledge and understanding of how to best assist my clients.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Adolescents and Adults

• Trauma

• Anxiety and Depression

• Grief

• Personality and Mood Disorders

• Adjustment Disorders

• Modalities: CBT, DBT, Person-centered Therapy, Art Therapy

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association

Michigan Association of Art Therapy

I believe that with a strong support system in place, families and children can grow and develop into their true selves. They can overcome the history of trauma and barriers that prevent them from attaining the success they deserve.  I work hard with individuals and families to determine what barriers exist that are hindering their success.  I am solution focused. I use CBT, DBT, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.  These are evidence based practices to develop skills that help individuals, parents, and families rise above their trauma, grief, marital issues, anger problems, self-esteem and women issues and support them on a path to success.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individuals and Couples

• Adults and Adolescents

• Pregnancy

• Women’s Issues

• Modalities: CBT, DBT, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Bachelor of Social Work

My professional philosophy is simple, a healthy connection serves as a vital role in each person’s success. Without establishing positive rapport with each client that is based in a shared understanding and trust, it is difficult to imagine progress or growth. For this reason, I work to establish a healthy connection with each of my clients.  

As every individual is unique, their needs and goals for services will be varied as well. I work to combine all areas of my background and professional knowledge to address each person’s goals and areas for growth. At times, this may mean a focus in one treatment modality and for others it may be a combination of treatment techniques that will best address each individual’s areas of need. At the foundation of each client’s goals and achievements will be the therapeutic connection of working as a team to foster healing for each individual I serve. 

As a “Lifelong Learner” I have enjoyed gaining experience in treatment modalities that I feel will best serve my clients.  We are all human, and by nature fragile and special in very unique ways.  I believe that each individual requires something specific to meet their own personal needs.  While there is not one technique that works for all, I do believe that the core of my professional work begins with a healthy connection with one another.  When humans are able to trust and respect each other, a foundation exists where sharing, processing, and learning can take place.  I look forward to working together with each individual, child, and family I serve.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Children, Adolescents, and Adults

• Trauma and PTSD

• Postpartum Mental Health & Mothers

• Modalities: CBT, TF-CBT, EMDR

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Master of Social Work

I believe that the counseling process needs to be a mutually constructive effort between both the client and the counselor. My approach to counseling is to gain understanding of the client as a whole, in addition to the presenting issue. There will be discussion on different aspects of your life, such as family, work and education, in addition to your beliefs and values. We will work through the presenting issue in a collaborative manner all the while taking into account your life experiences that have gotten you this far. During this process I may offer feedback which could be constructive and/or supportive, offer insight and advice; in addition to social skills training and/or behavior modification strategies. This homework, for example, may take the form of journaling, exercise or cognitive restructuring, such as changing self-talk.

I started my career working with juvenile offenders at Eaton County Youth Facility. I have worked in both homebased and outpatient therapy. My career focus has been with individuals, children, teens, couples and families.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Individuals and Couples

• Adults and Adolescents

• Attachment issues

• Pregnancy

• Perinatal mood disorders

• Anxiety and depression

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor

I believe in a relational and empathetic approach to provide a space of safety overall. I am here to be your support, and your sounding board as you work towards achieving your goals to be the best version of yourself that you want to be. I will challenge and support you in the process of achieving these goals. I am solution focused and will work to collaborate and work through the barriers from your past a present so that you can rise above them. When working with children and adolescents I believe in work outside of therapy being important. This may look like journaling, implementing mindfulness, changing self-talk or engaging in reading depending on what is needed. Trust and respect are key aspects in a counseling relationship. I look forward to forming this foundation with you as we work together.

I received my Masters Degree at Western Michigan University in Clinical Mental Health counseling. My history of work includes a focus with children, adolescents and families utilizing modalities that include person centered and strength-based approaches in a home-based program.

Specialty Areas Include:

• Children, Adolescents and Adults

• Depression and Anxiety

• ADHD

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder

• Adjustment Disorder

• Modalities: CBT, Person-centered Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and Mindfulness

Licenses & professional affiliations:

Licensed Professional Counselor