Grief counselors and therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Hello,

My name is Tamara and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in the state of North Carolina. I am also a Licensed Master's Social Worker in the state of Michigan. I received my MSW from Spring Arbor University in Michigan. I have clinical experience working with Marines, Sailors and spouses. I am a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC II) and certified in DBT. I know that life can be stressful, unpredictable and doesn't always go as planned. I look forward to working together.

I offer individual counseling to adults.

Many people reach out for counseling when life feels heavier than usual—when relationships are strained, emotions feel harder to manage, or when they feel overwhelmed with grief. for more than a decade, I have been helping families and individuals of all ages to cope, process and navigate around these issues. My goal is to offer a space where you do not have to hold all of that alone.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 11 years of experience. I work primarily with teens, young adults and women who are struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, stress, low self-esteem, grief, or feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns. Seeking support can be difficult, and I recognize the courage it takes to begin therapy.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

Are you finding it hard to navigate everyday life? Are your relationships suffering? If you answered “yes” to these questions, please know you CAN live a different life. Relationship issues, trauma, grief/loss, anxiety, depression, and many other problems are challenging, to say the least. Therapy provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, learn coping strategies, and improve your relationships. You do not have to go it alone when therapy is available.

I have my Master's degree in Social Work and have worked with clients for over 30 years. I provide a safe environment in order for you to feel comfortable and work toward your goals.