Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Limited spots are available! Empathy is at the heart of my practice. I work hard to understand your unique background, making sure therapy is a space where you feel respected and heard. I use methods that are more inclusive and sensitive to different cultures. I'm committed to making therapy affordable, especially for LGBTQ+ folks, because I believe everyone deserves good mental health care. My passion is providing supportive and affirming services that help you heal and grow.

I am a Limited Licensed Social Worker with experience working with children, teens, and adults. I specialize in areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, divorce, and other life changes. I utilize approaches from empowerment theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and internal family systems theory.

Hello! If you’ve come to my page you are probably seeking someone to walk with you through a potentially painful journey. Whether you’ve been to see a therapist before or this is your first time, this can be a scary decision to make. People will choose to come to see me if they are struggling with past or current abuse, complex trauma (including childhood abuse and domestic violence), Binge Eating Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, self worth issues, grief and loss, difficulty with boundaries and attachment in relationships, and many more life issues.

Life and relationships are overwhelming, and you deserve joy! You already have everything needed to feel better. Together we will discover parts of you – some you may know and others that seem safer to hide - and their role in your beautifully unique inner world.

Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of yourself? Are you wanting to foster meaningful connections with the people in your life? In a world where our pain often goes unheard, finding a space to share our stories and experiences can be challenging. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can navigate life’s complexities and find your way forward. My approach emphasizes empathy and warmth and I believe that healing and growth happen when people feel heard and valued within a safe and supportive environment. I utilize evidence-based therapies including EMDR, IFS, and CBT.

I believe the ability to heal already exists in you, waiting to be uncovered from beneath past protective patterns that no longer serve you. Maybe you're successful & functioning on the outside, but inside you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Your mind overthinks & your body is tense. From past trauma or current stress, part of you feels broken, not enough, unworthy, or unlovable. You already know this shame, but aren't aware of other parts of you. Those that know how to rest, relax, self-care, balance emotions, & love yourself. You hope you can befriend your own mind, body, & spirit as allies instead of enemies.

I usually find myself working with people who know there's something not quite right but aren't sure where to start. Are you struggling with anxiety and depression, and don't know why? Are relationships difficult, or do you feel like you haven't found your people? Has life suddenly just switched to "hard mode"? I especially enjoy working with people who are trying balance work and managing chronic illnesses, fellow social services employees, and LGBTQ+ clients. I love working with neurodivergence!

As a clinician, I know it is important to walk beside you in the journey of life and healing. My work with clients is through compassion, humor, gentle confrontation, and unconditional positive regard. Whether you have a specific issue or just don't quite feel like yourself reaching out to someone is a great first step. I work with adolescents and adults using psychoanalysis, internal family systems, and cognitive behavioral therapy to not only treat symptoms but also to understand yourself through your experiences.

My imagination is captivated by how intricate and interconnected our stories are with the world around us, both in our intimate relationships and in the culture and society in which we live. Oftentimes these stories can weave patterns of disconnection between oneself and others, leaving us feeling stuck, and in need of care and tending. In my work, I offer a heartfelt and empathic space to explore your experience in the world. Whether it’s finding self-acceptance, moving through anxiety or depression, or navigating relationship challenges, I meet you where you’re at and help you find your inner resources for healing.

Life is often stressful and living with chronic illness only makes life more challenging. Having a therapist who also understands the mental and emotional side of chronic illness/diabetes can be really helpful. In my practice, I work with clients by compassionately building from their strengths, increasing their coping strategies for more insight and self-understanding, increased emotional regulation and stress management, and improving depression, anxiety, trauma, and diabetes-related distress.

Have you tried mainstream mental health and it hasn't worked? Has talk therapy not assisted you in discovering what is at the root of any dis-ease you are experiencing?We will work together to assist you at getting better at feeling. We will address any deep rooted traumatic feeling states with EMDR to instantly assist in integrating them so you can interact with your day to day with more clarity. We will also use parts work (internal family systems) to find what parts of you are needing attention.

Most of the people who work with me range from adolescents to adults and generally experience depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, have a history of suicide, trauma, and/or general trouble adjusting to changes in life. However, I also have experience working with grief and loss, family adjustment to autism diagnosis, general family concerns, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I am trained in S.A.F.E. EMDR, integrative medicine for mental health, CBT, and TF-CBT. I have additional knowledge of sand tray, IFS, narrative therapy, and interpersonal neurobiology and draw on these in my therapy.

I am passionate about helping people move from repeated dieting and emotional/binge eating to peace with food and their bodies. Using an evidence-based approach, I help you shift from out of control to empowered self-trust. My approach harnesses the science of motivation and Internal Family Systems therapy to make habit shifts that are truly lifelong. I am passionate about helping you regain control over your life and focus your energy on what truly matters.

I enjoy working with people of various backgrounds, especially adults and teens in the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with a history of trauma. Using a mix of evidence-based interventions like EMDR, Internal Family Systems, along with a somatic, multicultural and feminist lens, I aim to provide a safe, supportive environment where you can explore all the parts of yourself. I believe the key to progress in therapy is curiosity and commitment to change, and my goal as your therapist is to walk alongside you as you discover your own personal power!

Are you feeling stuck in your relationships, work, or personal life? Do you tend to blame yourself when something goes wrong? Well, I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and I know firsthand how hard it can be to reach out for help, but that is the first step toward healing. I believe you have what you need to heal and grow but I also know that it’s not as simple as willing yourself into it. That's where I come in. I aim to cultivate space for all of you, including the parts of you that you lean on to keep going but also the parts of you that you feel ashamed of (maybe even hate?).

Are you having trouble coping with your emotions due to a traumatic experience in your life? Many suffer from childhood sexual abuse, betrayal trauma, or sexual addiction. You are not alone! I collaborate with people seeking to transform past suffering into meaning and purpose in their lives. I believe passionately that to live a fulfilled life, one must continue to grow and adapt. I feel a profound sense of gratitude to be able to help others on their path to emotional healing.

I am passionate about counseling pre-teens (age 10 and up), adolescents, young adults, and adults. I especially enjoy helping others untangle and heal from past trauma as well as helping individuals with ADHD develop an understanding for their way of operating and skills around that, viewing it in a positive light. I enjoy using Sand Tray, Play Therapy, and EMDR with clients of all ages.

Melanie Hogeterp LMSW is a clinical social worker serving adults who are in distress. Her mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for her clients to get to know themselves, disarm defenses, practice new skills, increase emotional literacy, and build competencies. She works with her clients to process traumas and reduce distress and with parents to add to their toolbox of parenting skills. Melanie's approach to treatment is based in attachment theory and she employs a variety of practice techniques as they apply to the needs of her clients including: IFS, CBT, and EMDR.

You are doing it all- trying that new hobby, making a weekly routine, killing it at work or school. On the surface, you’ve got it together, but deep down there's a part of you that feels hijacked by anxiety, self-judgment, and negative beliefs. You’ve been searching for the right fix, but you just can’t seem to find it. You’ve listened to the podcasts, read the books, taken the stress relief supplements, and you still feel stuck. Are you ready to better understand yourself and get out of your own way?