Elizabeth Ormes

When you choose me, I commit to a therapeutic relationship with you, to be a partner on your journey towards your vision of your best self!

My education began with a Bachelor's degree (BA) in Psychology and Women's Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I completed a dual degree Master's program (MA) from Western Michigan University in Counseling and Teaching skills of Blind Rehabilitation. I obtained my License as a Clinical Professional Counselor in 2004. I became a Certified Domestic Violence Professional in 2016 and a Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional in 2020. I have prioritized continuing education as the field of counseling has developed and changed significantly since the 1990s. The understanding of trauma and the effects of "Big T" and "little t" on the developing child is better understood. I am always looking to add more training in treatment interventions to my toolbox in the quest to help my clients towards success.

I bring over 25 years of experience working in the field of counseling, having served a variety of roles in different systems from State Government Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and non-profit agency staff. My work has been primarily with those individuals who have been affected by stress and trauma. People adjusting to significant disabilities, or living through years of domestic violence, or whose childhood's were impacted by complex abuse and neglect situations. In my time counseling people adjusting to trauma, traumatic loss and I have been able to witness people develop strength, resiliency and eventually thrive when given the opportunity.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves wellness, is doing the best they can in the moment, and is intrinsically wired to strive for growth and improvement for themselves.

A good counselor will blend a healthy supportive therapeutic relationship with providing education and challenge so their client can achieve their own success.

You are the expert on yourself, and my role is to bring expertise in psychological theory, best practices, and different treatment approaches to help you with your goals.

As your guide in the process of building awareness of what is holding you back from your best self, we will touch on the past. But our focus is mainly on the present moment for this is the only place with which you have control to change and grow. Similarly, your vision of that best self is only a guide, a motivator, because no one can accurately predict the future and we certainly haven’t found a way to live there.

I will bring into the therapeutic space all the tools I’ve learned to support your achievement. It does require that you and I commit to honesty, openness, vulnerability, engaging (even when it is hard), and putting in the effort to achieve those “aha” moments in therapy.

I believe the goal of counseling is not to make you into someone else, because you already are enough and wonderful as yourself. The goal is to provide you with the skills and healing so you can realize the deep satisfaction that comes from living life as YOUR BEST SELF!

My intent in every session will be for you to have some key “take-away” points to help you from every session.

Every session should feel meaningful to you although not every session will create a big "aha" moment for you.

You and I should be able to discuss your progress regularly. We should be able to honestly communicate with each other regarding the interventions and the impact they are having on you. Some change and growth may manifest slower than other types of change and growth. Thus, it is important that we discuss concerns directly.

Counseling is a change process within you as an individual, or within you and a child or a family system. Change can feel uncomfortable and trigger desire for avoidance, numbing, and dissociation from the process. It is important that you understand while I will remain empathetic to you my role is to challenge that growth process within you. I will temper guiding you forward with maintaining your sense of safety.

Clients who come into the counseling space with a mindset toward growth and strengthening of themselves rather than a mindset of needing to come to be fixed generally find my approach more positive for themselves.