Grief counselors and therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years experience in a number of social worker roles. Let us see if we can work together to share and plan as partners in your therapeutic journey.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Michigan and Missouri with over a decade of experience specializing in mental healthcare and addiction counseling. Additionally, I proudly served 10 active-duty years in the world's greatest U.S. Navy, from where I bring valuable insights as an honorable veteran. In my capacity as a Sailor, I served as both the Command Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor and as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate. Aside from work, I enjoy time with my husband, our 4 wonderful children, and loving on our pug, Miss Pearl.My areas of expertise include assisting clients in managing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, loss, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, depression, perimenopause, and serious mental illnesses. I specialize in addiction treatment in both substances and pornography/sexual addiction. I believe deeply that you are the expert of your own story, possessing numerous strengths that will empower you to overcome life's challenges.Taking the initial step toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life requires courage. My role is to support you throughout this journey, providing tailored guidance aligned with your individual goals and needs. Together, we will build insights and strategies to enhance your overall sense of purpose and well-being.

Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience providing therapy to adolescents and adults ages 12 and older. My practice is rooted in trauma-informed care and utilizes evidence-based approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients process experiences, reduce distress, and move toward meaningful change. I am also inquisitive and a conversationalist.

**Accepting teen/adult female clients only at this time.**

I’m a licensed therapist and founder of a private practice built around helping people create meaningful, lasting change, not just short-term relief. My background includes working with teen and adult women navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and deeply ingrained behavioral and emotional patterns.

My work is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with a strong emphasis on understanding the biology and evolution of the human brain. I help clients make sense of how their nervous system, thoughts, and emotional responses were shaped—and how those patterns show up in daily life as habits that may no longer serve them.

I also integrate radical responsibility and mindful self-compassion into my work. That means we don’t stay stuck in blame or avoidance, but we also don’t approach change through shame. Instead, we build awareness, ownership, and the capacity to respond to yourself and your life differently.

While I’m direct and engaged in the work, I’m also laid back and less formal in my style. I believe therapy can be both meaningful and productive and have moments of lightness, humor, and real human connection along the way.

I work best with clients who are ready to look inward, challenge themselves, and actively participate in the process of change.

I am a seasoned professional who has worked in various settings within Healthcare including crisis intervention and chronic conditions such as Cancer.

I have worked in the Social Work field for about 10 years and found my specialty and passion in therapy. I am a compassionate and non-judgmental therapist who enjoys working one-on-one with individuals seeking help. I specialize in anxiety, depression, self-harm behaviors, trauma, family conflict, postpartum, and LGBTQ+ issues.

I offer a judgment-free space where we can work together toward your mental health goals. In our work, we will not just talk through the problems, concerns, or challenges bringing you to therapy. We will also focus on practical tools that can help change how you experience those situations and support you in moving toward a healthier version of yourself. I use a blend of evidence-based treatment approaches that I tailor to each client’s unique needs and goals.

I earned my LMSW from Grand Valley State University and have 17 years of experience across a wide range of mental health settings, including outpatient care, the emergency department, inpatient treatment, and partial hospitalization, along with many other levels of care in between. My additional training includes trauma-informed care, suicide risk assessment and safety planning, and DBT. Clients can expect me to meet them where they are while being empowering, transparent, direct, and focused on helping them reach their treatment goals.

I am a trauma-informed therapist who works with adults (18+) experiencing challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and life transitions. I earned my Bachelor’s from Spring Arbor University and my Master’s from Western Michigan University, where I also completed a certification in Trauma Across the Lifespan. My training includes EMDR, DBT, and CBT, and I’m passionate about creating a space where clients feel safe, supported, and accepted.

I provide counseling for individuals and families who are facing many forms of conflict including addiction, anxiety, depression, grief and significant life transitions. I understand that seeking support often comes at a time when life feels overwhelming or uncertain, and my priority is to offer a compassionate, steady place to work through these challenges. Together we take the time you need to explore what brought you here and what you're hoping to change. Your goals - whether they involve healing from loss, breaking patterns related to addiction, or navigating a difficult transition - will guide the direction of our sessions.