Emotionally Focused Therapists in Traverse City, MI

As a client-centered therapist, I believe you are the expert in your own life. I consider it to be a privilege and blessing to be a part of your journey to find fulfillment in your life. I work from a holistic framework, holding the central hypothesis that every person has the innate potential for personal awareness and growth. I strive to maintain the creative and dynamic process of therapy utilizing theory and interventions from multiple models of therapy. I am committed to creating a therapeutic environment based on collaboration, action-oriented interventions, skill building and honest, supportive feedback.

Welcome! Are you ready to unburden from ingrained patterns, heal trauma wounds, and welcome joy, connectedness, and wonderment into your life? I can help. I'm an attachment-focused and trauma-informed psychotherapist with a curious mind, open heart, and hearty sense of humor. I believe that therapy should feel nourishing and meaningful - and the effects should be transformative. As a Narrative, Mindfulness, Sandtray, and IFS trained therapist, I helps clients “re-author” their lives — often using experiential and expressive arts activities or guided ‘parts’ exercises in order to make space for new ways of thinking and understanding.

My work with children and families is based on building safe, supportive relationships. I carefully consider individual, couple and family strengths and needs, providing therapeutic direction based upon this. A combination of child development, mindfulness, and family systems informs my work. I use play therapy, sandtray, narrative-storytelling tools, practical skill building, arts, and parent coaching in my practice. The power of relationships and the recognition of one's strengths are emphasized throughout our work together.

I believe that all humans are innately driven to seek balance and congruence, and that when this drive is disrupted, whether it be due to emotional difficulties, relational stressors, or other life changes, we begin to suffer. It is my privilege to accompany my clients in their process of establishing balance and integration, ultimately achieving a sense of wholeness and security. I recognize that sometimes talk therapy isn't enough so I use a variety of additional therapies, including EMDR, which facilitate change by reprocessing emotionally-charged memories or experiences that often show up as physical sensations in the body.

I enjoy working with children, teens, adults, and their families. I offer individual, couples, and family therapy. Finding a good "fit" with a therapist can be challenging. I strive to quickly put clients at ease and provide a safe space where we can work together to identify your strengths and skills, process significant life events, communicate your feelings, develop positive coping strategies, and provide support. My passion is to help each client discover their unique strengths in addressing their concerns, no matter their age. If you are seeking services please contact me via email to ensure a timely reply.

I employ a diverse approach to therapy based on my knowledge of psychological philosophies and techniques in conjunction with the personality and needs of each client.

These last few years of the pandemic have been very difficult for most people. I have seen a surge in anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress on marriages and family relationships, health issues, and loads of despair and grief. The pandemic has seemed to push some of these issues to the front and center for people and they can no longer be avoided or dismissed. It is a sensitive time for people to begin addressing their need for help. It can be so overwhelming and difficult to know how to begin talking about it - especially with someone who is a stranger such as myself.

Accepting new patients! Whether you are new to therapy or looking to start again, Great Lakes Psychology Group - Traverse City understands that starting therapy can be overwhelming. That’s why we simplified the process with Find My Therapist. Get started by telling us about yourself, your location, and your insurance. Once you find your best-fit therapist, pick a time that works for you and book an appointment instantly through their calendar. Find My Therapist aims to make your journey as stress-free as possible, so you can start feeling better sooner.

I enjoy working with all age groups across the lifespan on a variety of issues and life challenges, but my specialty is working with adolescents, young adults, and adult woman. Much of my career has been spent working with at-risk youth, as well as leading skills training groups for adolescents and adults. As a working, professional, mother of four, I also truly identify with and enjoy helping women create a sense of balance between work and family. As a trauma certified therapist, I approach almost all mental health challenges through the lens of trauma. This creates a safe, empathic relationship between myself and my clients.

As a therapist passionate about healthy relationships, family dynamics, and trauma treatment, I am here to support you on your journey towards healing and growth. I am dedicated to creating a trusting and compassionate space where we can work together to break negative cycles, heal past traumas, and foster positive change.

As a health psychologist, I have a great deal of experience working with people suffering from one or more chronic illnesses. I may be a good fit if you are coming to terms with a health scare, processing a new diagnosis or treatment, have experienced medical trauma, or are struggling to cope with chronic medical conditions. Prior to hospital work, I spent many years working and training in college counseling centers. Please be willing to self reflect, have an open mind, and be willing to consider how you treat yourself.

At Blue Thistle Therapy, I value holistic healing and authenticity. My practice is rooted in relationship-based counseling, and I dig deep in order to connect with the real you. I am not a “smile and nod” therapist. I believe that therapy should be challenging, and I’m here to partner with you in your journey toward positive growth.

Counseling is a relationship in which I support clients to find stability, joy and meaning in the midst of life's challenges. I am passionate about working with children and their caregivers. Common struggles I work on with clients include coping skills, behavioral issues, behavioral regulation and communication skills. All children are welcome including those who have autism/neurodivergent, trauma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, emotional dysregulation, and other challenges. I provide an understanding space in which to collaborate with caregivers to support their children.

Welcome! I'm Elizabeth. I have 20+ yrs of experience in mental health. I am highly effective working with individuals and couples, whether you are a young adult struggling with anxiety or a retiree adjusting to the next phase of life. I help couples navigate communication issues, parenting, infidelity. During our sessions, we will delve deeply into the issues at hand and collaborate to create a plan for addressing them in a way that helps you improve your quality of life, relationships and daily functioning. Most of my clients see a marked lifting of symptoms within the 1st month and progressive improvement thereafter.

My goal is to help you live your best life by supporting you in taking control of your life. Depression, anxiety and stress can get in the way of you reaching your personal goals whether that be at work or in your relationships.

I love the work that I do in helping people learn how to find a fresh perspective on where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there. My gift is in my ability to easily connect with people and I create an environment where we work together to get results. In addition to face-to-face counseling, I am also a certified Life Coach and Tele-Counselor which means that we can work by phone/web, if needed. I have been practicing for over 20 years working with adults, couples, families and adolescents. I opened up Grace Counseling Professionals in an effort to bring counselors together to make a difference in our community.

Are you a person or couple whose life looks “good” from the outside, and yet it still feels like something is missing? You’ve accomplished a lot in life, but don’t feel the sense of fulfillment you expected. A big life change—maybe a breakup, new job, new marriage, change in family dynamic, or move—has highlighted the fact that you’re still not as happy or content as you want to be. Something is telling you that you need to make a shift (even if you’re not quite sure what it is). You want to gain deeper insight into yourself & your past experiences, and you’re ready to change your “default setting” and start creating new patterns.

If you are looking for a therapist, you may be feeling hurt, lost, or stuck and aren't quite sure what will help. When our most important connections are ruptured through stress, trauma, and broken relationships, life becomes overwhelming, unmanageable and isolated. Finding a therapist who will listen with intention and compassion can help you feel understood and more connected to yourself and your world. I use a relational-style focused on increasing your awareness and insight so that you feel empowered to move forward.

My personal motto is "No mud. No lotus." To me, this means, without suffering there cannot be beauty. My entire life I have been fascinated with resilience- the ability to overcome. What makes people stronger when they they have faced so much adversity? I started my career focused on how to help people become more resilient, and along the way I have learned so much, not just about overcoming obstacles, but also about building up strengths.