Couples Counseling Therapists in Ann Arbor, MI

Imagine hearing birds chirping during your therapy session. Or feeling the warm sunshine on your skin and fresh air in your lungs. If being in nature sounds more healing and less intimidating than sitting in an office, then walk and talk therapy may be just what you're looking for! Walking helps the brain to release "feel good" chemicals, helping to alleviate depression and anxiety and reduce stress. Walking decreases negative emotions and promotes mental clarity and positive thinking. It can boost self-esteem, increase energy, improve sleep quality, and allow you to reconnect with the natural world.

My clinical approach is integrative, although my interventions often focus on acceptance and self-compassion while empowering my clients to make the changes they would like to see in their lives. I firmly believe that therapy should be focused on helping you become the best version of yourself, as YOU understand it. In keeping with that goal, I take great care to ensure that therapy is affirming of all aspects of diversity and identity.

Life is full of transitions that can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and desiring greater personal well-being. I treat individuals and couples with acceptance and respect. I approach treatment from a mindfulness perspective, based on client's personal situations, strengths and chosen goals. My style is warm, solution-focused, and supports the courageous decisions of people to explore who they are and who they want to become.

Our agency provides psychotherapy for adults, couples, families, and teens. Our mission is to enhance your quality of life by developing your strengths and providing life coaching in dealing with life's challenges in the following areas and more:

It's hard being a person. We all struggle to some extent in fundamental areas of human life-- relationships, identity, work, destructive behaviors, the meaning of life itself. Satisfying marriage/committed relationships are a specific challenge faced by many. I work in both individual and couples therapy. There are many ways to approach human problems, including: how family of origin influences personality; one's relationship to one's thoughts and feelings; self-defeating beliefs, both conscious and unconscious; self-defeating behavior. I value thoughtfulness and compassion, working together, and recognizing your goals and ideas.

I am passionate about working with couples, families, and highly sensitive individuals. My goal as a therapist is to help facilitate the process of healing by empowering my clients to create environments in which they can thrive emotionally, mentally and physically.

Life is HARD, and I am here to help you navigate its challenges so that you can thrive and live to your full potential. I guide individuals and couples through emotional, behavioral, or relationship problems to reach transformative breakthroughs. My in-person and virtual therapy spaces provide an accepting, warm environment to help you grow at your own pace, fostering positive changes through insight and practical solutions. Specializing in treating anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship problems, I work from your strengths to help you let go of patterns that no longer serve you.

As a psychotherapist & social researcher, I have 20+ years experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing a broad range of challenges & issues. We all live together in the same society, but the complex factors that effect each of us individually can create challenges that make it hard to succeed, live up to our potential & lead happy, satisfying lives. There are tools, that we can use to deal with these challenges. Learning how to access our inner strength and power is something each of us are capable of - and this empowerment is the key to resolving confusion, pain & suffering.

You might feel anxious, or depressed. You want to change but you feel stuck, unable to move forward. You might be unhappy with aspects of yourself, or your relationships, but you do not know what to change, how to change. You might suffer because of trauma, or for a loss that feels too hard to bear. Talking to a therapist can help. If you decide to meet with me, my first goal will be to connect with you, and help you feel understood. Working from this connection, I will try to help you understand more of yourself, and know how to change using the therapeutic techniques most appropriate for your characteristics and needs.

I believe that most behavioral/ emotional problems have a common origin which is the failure to express true emotions and feelings. Individuals learn early on that which is acceptable and that which is not. As we push away feelings, and deny parts of who we are, these feelings don't simply disappear; instead, they remain hidden, and continue to influence behavior in unpredictable and negative ways. Because of this commonality in most problems, I welcome people who have problems with anxiety, depression,eating disorders, relationship problems, sexual concerns,and addictive behaviors.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR LIFE IS SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL? Have you encountered a recent divorce, job loss, chronic health issues that have thrown you out of balance? Are you struggling with issues such as overeating, alcohol or drug use, panic attacks, depression,or anxiety? I can help you get unstuck and feel in control again. In the context of a solid therapeutic relationship, you can learn to tolerate and regulate strong emotions, increase self-compassion, relieve shame and fear, enhance self-confidence, become personally empowered and let go of your old trauma.

Do you find yourself struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship distress, or unable to make the changes in your life that you want? Psychotherapy can be a safe and compassionate place where you could get help in working through your distress. Making the decision to begin therapy is both difficult and courageous. I offer individual and couples psychotherapy for anyone seeking insight, change, and relief in their lives. I strive to promote healing, offering a safe and nurturing environment that fosters self-compassion, collaboration, self-understanding, and an appreciation of the diverse and resilient individuals that we are.

Sometimes our job (as therapists) is to carry the hope for our clients until they can carry it themselves. The fact that you are considering therapy means that you want to believe that your situation can improve. While hope is not always easy to come by, human beings are resilient, we are survivors, and it is okay to seek help when the load gets too heavy to carry on our own. Psychotherapy is a collaborative process. I will work with you to develop the insight and skills needed to overcome challenges so that you can live a healthier/happier life.

My approach is caring, collaborative, and practical, helping clients clearly articulate goals and then work to accomplish them. I have a strong belief in everyone's innate capacity for growth and healing and my intention is always to help people access and draw wisdom from this inner capacity. In addition to working with individuals in this way, I also have training in family/couples therapy, and work extensively with adolescents, couples, and families. I was a Lecturer for 19 years at the University of Michigan School of Social work and taught courses in Family/Couples Therapy, Adolescent Development and Mental Health.

Discernment Counseling: If you or your partner are considering divorce but not completely sure about it, Discernment Counseling is designed for you. It’s a chance to slow down, take a breath, learn about what’s happened to your marriage, and look at your options for your marriage. The goal is not to solve your marital problems but to see if they are solvable. You will each be treated with compassion and respect no matter how you feel about your marriage at this time. Please note that although I have a current waitlist, potential couples seeking Discernment Counseling DO NOT have to wait!

My approach is a collaborative process of support and respect. I use evidence based practices to inform strengths & person centered, feminist oriented ideals. I am guided by a sense of cultural and personal sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and life experiences each person carries with them. My goal is to help you find and develop the tools to most effectively reach your goals.

Jamie Yang, PhD. is a fully licensed psychologist in Michigan state. She earned her Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She earned her Masters of Mental Health from Boston College, and Doctor of Counseling Psychology from the University of North Dakota. She has spent 7 years in the field working with adults, children, and families. She has worked in University Counseling Centers and community mental health centers. Her approach is person-centered, mindfulness-based, and relies on hands-on specific skills and behavioral tools to help clients better cope with life.

Everyone experiences stress, yet how one copes is very individual. When life challenges us beyond our limits, we may need professional help. I am a PhD social worker with 30 years of experience in health and mental health. I work with individuals and couples utilizing a strengths-based, psychodynamic counseling approach. Different therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and stress reduction methods are provided in a safe, empathic, and nonjudgmental space to maximize treatment effectiveness. My work focuses on grief and non-death related losses, as well as mood disorders, i.e. depression and anxiety, and chronic health and mental health conditions.

In beginning a therapy, I first try to create an environment that is non-judgmental and accepting. Comfort and trust are indispensable for developing a strong working relationship in psychotherapy. During the course of therapy, I try to help identify and explore problem areas at face value at the time they are presented. I also stay attuned to dimensions of personal struggles that are not readily apparent.