Our Counselors

I want to create a safe place where you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with me.
I use a variety of counseling methods and techniques. My favorite is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). You first need to be aware of your thoughts before you can change your feelings or behaviors. Together, we will examine those thoughts and ask Are they true? Are they helpful? If the answers are no, then we can change those negative/self-defeating thoughts to more positive/empowering thoughts.
The purpose of therapy is to help you develop skills, insights, and perspective so you can take what you’ve learned and apply it on your own. Together, we will establish goals and work toward accomplishing them.
My areas of focus are: anxiety, depression, self-esteem, fears, relationships, aging parents, loss, and grief. I enjoy working with individuals and couples.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I graduated from Michigan State University in 2005 with a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
I look forward to meeting and working with you.

Facing challenges in life can be difficult; it can put us in an undesirable position of not knowing what to do or how to face it. The following are a few examples of life’s challenges: the loss of a loved one, a change in careers, going through a divorce, parenting. I would like to help you during these moments to explore your feelings, look at your options, and support the choices you make as you learn new coping skill that will help you overcome those moments in life.

My work in counseling has provided me with the knowledge and experience that I need to support you during your therapeutic journey. It is my goal, that together we will strengthen your skills, learning new ones and change those skills that have not been effective. My approach to therapy is that of Person Center and that the client is in charge of their own progress and well-being.

As a Spanish speaking therapist, I enjoy working with clients who are Spanish speaking. This allows Spanish speaking client to express their feelings and emotions in their own language. It is my experience that clients who are allowed to express themselves in their own language tend to be motivated and invested in their treatment.

Specialties:

It is my pleasure to serve as a clinical consultant to Therapy Today. I am excited to share my helping philosophy and will take just a few moments to introduce myself. My private practice has been a part of the East Lansing community going on 24 years. I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology (“Psy.D.”) at Central Michigan University and internship in Pediatric Psychology at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Over the past nine years my “day job” has been with the MSU Counseling Center where I work as a staff psychologist, doctoral intern training supervisor, and coordinator of the Psychological Testing & Consultation Service. Since starting at MSU my practice has become part-time. I primarily work with school-age children, teens, families and adults.

On occasion I get asked if I ever tire of being a psychologist or regret my career choice. What I express consistently is my great love and passion for the people I’ve worked with, and the appreciation for how my life has been forever enriched. This is not to gloss over the many trying situations I’ve traveled through with clients and families. Conflict and change are inevitable in life, and my goal is to foster acceptance, hope and authentic partnerships throughout the therapeutic process. To this end, my care philosophy is holistic, multiculturally informed, guided by ethics of social justice and focused on fostering client strengths. My practice is unquestionably inclusive of everyone and I am committed to proactively supporting and advocating for the rights, dignity and welfare of all clients.

As I have learned from clients my helping approach has broadened and continues to be open to new ideas and ways of tackling problems. I lean toward mindfulness and acceptance and commitment change strategies although I find being flexible in the treatment approach essential. Psychodynamic, humanistic, family systems, dialectical behavioral, and cognitive behavioral therapies are often integrated into the client care plan. In the “old days” I was known for psychological testing for ADHD, learning disabilities, and childhood developmental problems. Testing is a service I continue to provide as my part-time practice schedule allows.

Specialties:

As a clinical Social Worker, I have worked with children, teens and young adults with behavior problems since 1978. I also have extensive practice experience with adults with mental health presentations. My orientation is strength based; I seek to create a working alliance of safety and trust. I am trained in a number of clinical methods: Family therapy;cognitive- behavioral approaches, and trauma focused interventions. I am a parent of two girls, one a teen, the other, a young adult, both of whom attend school in this community.

As a fully-licensed professional counselor, I provide comprehensive mental health care to individuals and families seeking assistance in improving themselves, their relationships, and/or their state of mind. Through a patient-centered and strength-based approach, we will embark on a journey of personal discovery toward holistic wellbeing.

After years of experience working with children, adolescents and families, as well as adults, I am passionate about helping others grow to become their best selves. I also specialize in helping people with navigating school concerns, adjustment to disability, women’s issues, LGBTQ, depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, ADHD, parenting & adverse child behaviors, relationships, adjustment to new living situations and more.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

“Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we’ll ever do…” – Brene` Brown
We all face our individual struggles, and it is my belief that we all deserve a listening ear during challenging times. As your therapist, it is my goal to help provide a safe space to allow for growth and change. Together, we will process through whatever you may be struggling with to help you gain insight, learn coping strategies and build a sense of empowerment.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and completed my undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University in psychology, along with my master’s degree in professional counseling. My focus is to provide counseling to individuals to help them reach their goals and achieve a healthy state of living by using person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and strength-based approaches.
I have extensive training in helping individuals who are experiencing symptoms of trauma and have worked as an advocate with survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence. I also specialize in helping individuals learn how to cope with anxiety, depression and self-esteem related issues.

Specialties:

I have been a practicing clinical psychologist for the past 25 years, working in the areas of psychotherapy, assessment, rehabilitation, and crisis counseling. I completed a doctoral degree program in Clinical Psychology at Michigan State University, and also engaged in numerous practica and internship experiences focusing on time-limited, and longer-term psychotherapies, inpatient treatment, group psychotherapy, substance abuse, psychological and neuropsychological assessment, as well as recovery from acquired brain injuries. All of these experiences deepened my knowledge and understanding of individuals who strive to grow, to heal, and to realize their unique potentials. I utilize an eclectic treatment approach that is supportive and goal-directed.

Specialties:

I am a mental health therapist and am passionate about working with individual adults on a variety of concerns in order to help increase quality of life. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming and you may not know what to do or where to turn. You are not alone. I am here to help. I work with individuals that suffer from depression, anxiety, grief, loss and trauma. I strive to create a safe environment for clients to present and work through their concerns at their own pace. My therapeutic approach is client-centered which allows for me to help guide clients through any issues they may be experiencing. I look forward to working with you!

Specialties:

I have worked in the Mental Health field for over 15 years on a full and part-time basis. I am passionate about working with people to discover, build and strengthen skills to create a healthy mind and healthy relationships. Life can present opportunities for personal growth that often feel painful or confusing. I believe in providing a compassionate, hopeful, informed objective position to support you as you work through life stress, trauma or personal challenges. My experience includes work with adults age 18 through end of life stages. I primarily work with individuals, but I’m also comfortable working with your family or friend support system if needed. My specialties include work with grief and loss, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, exploring life transitions, the mind/body connection, relationship issues and working with people to build skills around mindfulness and balanced living.

Specialties:

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” -Buddha

My name is Melissa Terry and my specialties are marriage and family therapy and addiction treatment. I have worked in this field for 14 years and am passionate about helping others reach their goals. I also have experience working with children. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, or stress related to life transitions, I am here to help. I can teach you how to communicate your wants and needs in healthy ways. We will go at a pace that feels right for you.

Specialties:

I specialize in Couples Therapy and Marriage Enrichment. I also work with individuals on issues related to relationships, grief & loss, anxiety, and depression. I have also frequently treated issues related to existential crises, spirituality/crisis of faith issues, and I have practiced as a professional “Career Coach” for nearly 20 years, with a focus on career identity and career selection issues for adults.
As a Clinical Social Worker I take a holistic view of a client and as a therapist I am integrative (which means I draw from several different theories and practice models.) I have been greatly influenced by Interpersonal/Family Therapy and Humanistic models, particularly Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy & Narrative Therapy.
My first priority as a therapist is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to work through their concerns at their own pace. Together we will address any challenges related to biological, psychological, emotional, social, relational, spiritual, or sexual conditions that they want to explore, accept, or change.

I specialize in working with adults who struggle with issues of emotion dysregulation. With that can come problems in relationships, difficulties on the job, and decreased self-esteem. I am fully trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which emphasizes building a life worth living. I believe that, while you are the one who can make the most meaningful changes in your life, there is great benefit in a therapeutic alliance that can help unlock a person’s full potential. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, welcoming, nonjudgmental environment that invites you to realize your own strengths and skills that you already possess, and to encourage you to utilize those skills to be the best version of yourself.

At times life can be overwhelming and it is difficult to know where to turn for help. Circumstances may seem out of control and nothing seems to make sense. When life hands you more than you feel like you can handle, seeking help from a compassionate therapist is a wonderful option. As a therapist I offer a holistic approach, taking into account the whole person. I listen with care and compassion, offering a non-judgmental supportive environment for my clients to express their concerns. I want my clients to feel safe and secure knowing that they are being listened to and valued.

Working with clients, I help them discover ways of interacting with others, find solutions to problems that seem overwhelming, work through personal setbacks. I enjoy seeing a client become resilient when overcoming obstacles to their happiness. .

With over 10 years of experience as a therapist, I use a combination of humanistic, existential and cognitive behavioral techniques to help my clients meet their personal goals and find fulfillment in their lives. I believe that building a relationship with my clients and offering support and encouragement on their life journey will benefit them for years into the future.

I am a Licensed Clinical and Macro Social Worker. I have practicing for nearly 15 years in the mental health field with both children, adolescents and adults who have been identified with mild to severe, persistent mental illnesses. I have also worked in the medical setting, hospice, and college setting. I help through connecting with where you are emotionally starting at our first interaction, and I continue to keep your emotions at the center of how I am going to help get you to the next level. Understanding someone’s perspective on the “why and how” and not judging your “why and how”. I seek to provide an out-of-the-box approach to counseling services. I operate in a strengths-based capacity to ensure optimum skill acquisition to promote your ability to thrive in the world.

Specialties:

Life is full of surprises, and there are times when everyone feels overwhelmed, defeated, or just plain stuck in a rut.  Sometimes it feels that the stresses of life are too much to bear alone.  The good news is you don’t have to, I am here to help!

My approach to therapy is Person Centered; in which I offer clients deep empathic listening, nonjudgmental acceptance, and therapeutic genuineness.  I help clients connect with themselves, strengthen self-esteem, improve communication, promote behavior change, and develop healthy coping skills.

My goal as a therapist is to create a comfortable, collaborative relationship with my clients, and provide a safe place to evaluate concerns, while moving towards openness, self-trust, and an overall greater sense of wellbeing.

Specialties:

There are many things in life that impact mood; stressors, diet, sudden changes in circumstance such as job loss or illness of a loved one. It is my belief that we can greatly impact our ability to cope by taking a holistic approach to mental, emotional and physical health. I have dedicated my life to learning about many different modalities to assist others in learning the skills and knowledge necessary to deal with life’s difficulties, in an effective and often enjoyable way. We are all individualistic in how we define a happy and productive life. I feel honored and excited to be a part of my client’s process of self-discovery and empowerment.

My goal as a therapist is to help you reach your potential to become that person who you truly want to be! I have begun my journey as a therapist working with individuals in crisis either through suicide hotline, sexual assault, or other forms of trauma and have spent the last five years working with individuals who needed treatment through an inpatient hospitalization. I thrive in creating an environment of empowerment and strength for each of my clients as they explore ways to promote their most healthy self. I excel in meeting my client where they are through a Rogerian based therapy style with a focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Rogerian based therapy is most recognized now as “Person-Centered Therapy”. What this means is, I focus on your needs and what unique solutions will help you seek your best self through many different trusted therapy techniques. I explore the passions of each client and build a holistic approach to help them create ways to support and empower their journey. I believe in creating a holistic approach that results in a strong and confident client.

I am active within the mental health community and have provided Trauma-Informed Trainings and education on LGBTQ+ issues to other mental health therapists, counselors, social workers, and Kent County Law Enforcement. I have been on a panel for the movie “Hope Bridge” bringing awareness to suicide prevention, multiple published interviews including Kent County School District about our youth and mental health and the Grand Rapids Woman’s Magazine about the need for wellness around the holidays and encouraging women to promote their most health lifestyle. I continue to provide trainings on Trauma-Informed Care in the Lansing and Kent County areas and debriefings for individuals, companies, and groups working through intense or traumatic events.

I am co-founder of a non-profit called A Way Out where we empower and educate children/adolescents and their care provider(s) on the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse with the hope of stopping further victimization. Most recently I have begun working with the Human Trafficking Task Force and will complete my training as a facilitator to educate with the hope of eradicating Human Trafficking.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor through the state of Michigan with specialized training in trauma, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Specialties:

Everyone experiences rough patches in life from time to time. Every relationship has its struggles. It is simply part of being human to struggle and get stuck sometimes. When it is happening to YOU, it can seem daunting to know how to cope or make changes you want to make in your life. I have been helping people learn to find their own inner wisdom, and move through the painful times for over 20 years. Whether it is emotion or a relationship you are dealing with, you will find here a supportive partner in your healing or in healing your relationship.

Specialties:

My work, life experience, and most of all being a first generation Latina woman here in the United States has enabled me to work in a supportive and sensitive, yet professional and thorough manner with a diversity of clients with a wide range of issues. My passion is helping people find ways to cope with difficulties and to live, communicate, act, and think in ways that promote well-being. With me you will find a profound and lasting change through our work together. If you are going through difficulties due to anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, difficulties adapting to a new environment, and want a better quality of life, I am here to help you. I work from a philosophy of humility, respect and understanding. My objective is to create a safe space where you can feel supported, get to know yourself better, explore your emotional needs, and overcome the barriers that limityour potential and grow at your own pace. My approach is open-minded, taking into consideration every aspect of your life, work, traditions, cultural beliefs, values, spirituality, identity and sexual orientation. We will work together to resolve the problems that brought you to therapy so you can retake control of your life and reach the human potential you possess.

I believe the real job of therapy is to provide a safe place where you get to know yourself better and make changes in your life. The answers are inside you, and my job is to help you find them. My goal is to help you express emotions that are interfering with your life, and guide you through them at your own pace. You have the power to make changes and become the person you want to be. The length and frequency of therapy is very individual. It is a collaborative process where we work together to explore what you are going through and identify what you are looking to accomplish. It is important to me throughout this process you are feeling heard, understood, and respected.

Specialties:

I have been practicing in the mental health profession since I graduated with my Masters in Social Work from The University of Michigan, 1977. I am licensed as both a Clinical and Macro Social Worker and am experienced in both the administrative and clinical areas of mental health. I am a caregiver by nature and I support individuals to grow emotionally and spiritually, at their own pace. Our authentic self is within each of us, waiting to blossom. My role as a therapist is to promote self-determination by supporting you to look inward for ways to find solutions to perceived barriers to attaining life goals.

Specialties:

I believe we all do the best we can with the tools we have. My hope is to help expand the strategies and coping skills clients have to create meaningful change in their lives.

My approach is person centered and strengths based. I want to assist in building on the skills clients already have to move in the direction they choose to go in life. I utilize techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and many mindfulness based techniques. My experience has been with individuals, couples, families, children and adults.

Specialties:

Often life’s transitions can be difficult to navigate and we can have barriers, past or present, which inhibit our ability to change and adapt. I believe in the individuals ability to change and reconcile ourselves with the challenges and difficulties that life presents.

I am honored to partner with clients and empower them to find the tools and strength to overcome difficulties and enhance their coping abilities. I offer an objective and safe environment to share your thoughts, emotions and struggles. I believe with balance and openness, clients can create new coping mechanisms to make them stronger and resilient to life’s stressors.

Specialties:

I am a strong believer in instilling hope in my clients, because hope is the single most effective component for achieving personal goals besides focused/mindful effort. I prefer an eclectic/ motivational treatment approach that is flexible, supportive, goal-directed, and allows me to meet my clients at whichever place they are in their life’s struggles.
I have over 25 years of experience in the field of clinical psychology, in both hospital and private practice settings. Working with diverse population in different clinical settings has given me experience in both time-limited and longer-term psychotherapies, inpatient treatment, group psychotherapy, substance abuse, and psychological assessment. All of these experiences deepened my knowledge and understanding of the tremendous human potential for resilience, growth, healing, and for realizing our unique potential.
I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and additionally am multi-lingual with fluency in English, Punjabi, and Urdu/Hindi. I also work as a Case Manager/Therapist at Community Mental Health, providing counseling in individual and group settings. Previously, I lived in Pakistan, and worked as a clinical psychologist in a hospital for two decades.

Specialties:

There are many metaphors that help illustrate life and its struggles. No one lives a life that is perfect, we all have our own issues and own inner turmoil. I love to help people, but my job is not to “cure you” of any ailment. Rather, it is to be there when you feel that you need help overcoming or coping with those struggles in your life. I am strong believer in client-driven and client-centered therapy. My job, and my focus, is to create an environment in which you feel comfortable enough to navigate your way through any issue you may be experiencing.

I am a Lansing area native and began studying psychology while I was a student at MSU from which I graduated in 2010. I have been working as a therapist since I began training for my Master’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in clinical psychology in 2012. I have gained valuable experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing various issues (such as: anxiety, depression, identity issues, self-esteem issues, behavioral problems and mood issues). I also have extensive experience in the area of psychological assessment, which I often utilize in therapy to help clients understand some of the underlying issues that may be impacting their behavior. Please feel free to email me or call me with any questions or comments!

Although we have little control over the hand that life deals us, I believe in the hope that it is never too late to heal, to learn new and more effective behaviors…to create the life that you always dreamed of living. What does it take to get there? What is holding you back? Those answers lie within each one of us.

I enjoy creating an alliance with my clients, to be a guide in their own journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and acceptance. I believe in creating an environment that balances just the right amount of acceptance and change…one that is safe, nonjudgmental, and validating.

My name is Jenn Briere and I have been a clinical social worker for the past 11 years. I specialize in trauma work, grief and loss issues, divorce recovery, and working with diverse populations. I look forward to joining with you, exactly where you are, in your life journey.

Specialties:

I am a mental health therapist who is passionate about helping people through challenging times. I’m particularly passionate about helping teens and young adults cope with the depression and anxiety that so often affects individuals of that age, working with those who have body image concerns, and helping individuals recover from Eating Disorders. That being said, I love working with a variety of individuals and concerns. When working with clients, I strive to provide a safe place to share and receive support. Having a place to speak and feel heard is such an important step in healing. I find that clients can best decide what they’d like to achieve in therapy, and let this guide our sessions. I enjoy offering guidance as client’s strive to develop new coping mechanisms, create healthy boundaries in relationships, help loved ones understand their struggles, and gain insight into the problems they are facing. I have experience doing both individual and group therapy. Most of my group experience has been working with those who have Eating Disorders. My individual work has been with a large variety of individuals facing many different concerns; including depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns. I truly enjoy offering support to individuals facing any challenge, and I’d love to meet with you!