LGBT therapists in Michigan

As a fully licensed mental health therapist, I believe self-awareness and meaningful connections are essential to finding happiness and stability in life. Taking the first step to seek support can be challenging, so congratulations on reaching out! I’ve been practicing since 2020 and, at the end of 2024, I decided to start my own private practice. I primarily work with individuals (ages 12 and older) who find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, and/or other life adjustment challenges.

I have been doing this work since 2009 — which means I have sat with a lot of people through a lot of different kinds of hard. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling with a dual focus in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy, and my career has moved through two distinct chapters that have shaped how I practice. The first half was spent in the world of substance use — working with individuals and families where the stakes were high and the complexity was real. The last several years have been in private practice, where I've worked with the full range of human struggle: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, parenting stress, and the disorienting moments when life shifts beneath your feet. I work with individuals, couples, and groups. Very few things surprise me at this point — and that's exactly what makes this work feel safe.

I'm Joellen Rhyndress, LCSW, and I specialize in working with veterans, first responders, and executives — and I genuinely love this work. I'm trained in EMDR and have spent years as a trauma expert, particularly around critical incidents and life-disrupting events. I've worked with over 250 clients and I understand your world, your culture, and what it takes to finally ask for help.

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.