Adoption Therapists in East Grand Rapids, MI
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with 34 years of experience, many of which I spent working with children and families in child welfare, foster care, and adoption. I received my Master's Degree from Wayne State University. Eight years ago, I transitioned from working in child welfare to counseling and joined Thriveworks in March of 2016.
I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with 34 years of experience, many of which I spent working with children and families in child welfare, foster care, and adoption. I received my Master's Degree from Wayne State University. Eight years ago, I transitioned from working in child welfare to counseling and joined Thriveworks in March of 2016.
I am a clinical behavioral therapist with a private practice focusing mainly on children and families. For nearly 30 years, I have enjoyed working with children and using various play techniques to explore the lagging skills which have led to strong responses, behaviors and stressors to your family life. I am focusing more of my practice now on helping parents with their children to enable peace and calm in the home. I also enjoy working with teens and young adults dealing with stressors and anxieties about life developments.
I am a clinical behavioral therapist with a private practice focusing mainly on children and families. For nearly 30 years, I have enjoyed working with children and using various play techniques to explore the lagging skills which have led to strong responses, behaviors and stressors to your family life. I am focusing more of my practice now on helping parents with their children to enable peace and calm in the home. I also enjoy working with teens and young adults dealing with stressors and anxieties about life developments.
The trials of life sometimes bring sadness and fear. I offer a place for healing and help in a safe environment, for children, adolescents, and adults. I will help you to find the answers to your conflicts and concerns. Whatever the problem we will work together to find the way out. I offer hope for the hopeless.
The trials of life sometimes bring sadness and fear. I offer a place for healing and help in a safe environment, for children, adolescents, and adults. I will help you to find the answers to your conflicts and concerns. Whatever the problem we will work together to find the way out. I offer hope for the hopeless.
The foundation of my practice is based on the 4 principles of Empathy, Encouragement, Awareness, and Empowerment.
I believe the objective of counseling is to help individuals make sense out of emotional chaos. This comes through primarily understanding two things, 1. We are products of our environment, we do what we know. 2. We all have the power to change unhealthy or unwanted behavior.
My experience as a Crisis Counselor as well as an individual counselor has given me experience with just about any issue. Please let me know what you're struggling with and we can determine together if I can be supportive.
The foundation of my practice is based on the 4 principles of Empathy, Encouragement, Awareness, and Empowerment.
I believe the objective of counseling is to help individuals make sense out of emotional chaos. This comes through primarily understanding two things, 1. We are products of our environment, we do what we know. 2. We all have the power to change unhealthy or unwanted behavior.
My experience as a Crisis Counselor as well as an individual counselor has given me experience with just about any issue. Please let me know what you're struggling with and we can determine together if I can be supportive.
Patricia A Hickey
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, ACSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1983. Since that time, my focus has been on helping individuals, couples and groups ascertain and realize their goals. Using a direct approach,my clients appreciate the stability and consistency I provide to their overall progress and definitive improvement in their lives. I believe therapy is certainly a process for overcoming obstacles and making sense of one's history. It is also a vehicle to explore and decide what is you really want if life.
I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1983. Since that time, my focus has been on helping individuals, couples and groups ascertain and realize their goals. Using a direct approach,my clients appreciate the stability and consistency I provide to their overall progress and definitive improvement in their lives. I believe therapy is certainly a process for overcoming obstacles and making sense of one's history. It is also a vehicle to explore and decide what is you really want if life.
I like to the heart of the matter quickly and then work with my clients to co-creative solutions tailored to their specific needs. My clients describe being in therapy with me as being involved in 'deeper work.' The deeper work may be related to the past, but it also could be doing a deeper dive into your current life and finding healthier ways to cope. I am trained in leadership assessment and coaching and I consult with family-owned businesses. In addition, to my psychology license in Michigan, I also am approved to provide telehealth services in Florida
I like to the heart of the matter quickly and then work with my clients to co-creative solutions tailored to their specific needs. My clients describe being in therapy with me as being involved in 'deeper work.' The deeper work may be related to the past, but it also could be doing a deeper dive into your current life and finding healthier ways to cope. I am trained in leadership assessment and coaching and I consult with family-owned businesses. In addition, to my psychology license in Michigan, I also am approved to provide telehealth services in Florida
I work as a therapist because I believe we can experience real healing in our lives. The broken world in which we live frequently leaves scars and wounds. And we often wound others. As a Christian therapist I believe God heals significantly. I work with Christians and non Christians alike with respect for individual values and beliefs. Therapy begins with developing a respectful, trusting relationship. The client and therapist begin a journey to enable the client to reconcile, their past, their present, and their beliefs. It can enable them to work toward future goals successfully.
I work as a therapist because I believe we can experience real healing in our lives. The broken world in which we live frequently leaves scars and wounds. And we often wound others. As a Christian therapist I believe God heals significantly. I work with Christians and non Christians alike with respect for individual values and beliefs. Therapy begins with developing a respectful, trusting relationship. The client and therapist begin a journey to enable the client to reconcile, their past, their present, and their beliefs. It can enable them to work toward future goals successfully.
If you or your child are living with strong emotions, suicide attempts, self-harming, hospitalizations, chronic relationship/behavioral issues, or roller coaster emotions; life is very tough. You may feel like you are held hostage by these emotions and have a difficult time imagining that a 'normal' or healthy life is even possible. As a therapist trained in the specialty of DBT therapy, I believe that EVERYONE is capable of creating a life worth living.
If you or your child are living with strong emotions, suicide attempts, self-harming, hospitalizations, chronic relationship/behavioral issues, or roller coaster emotions; life is very tough. You may feel like you are held hostage by these emotions and have a difficult time imagining that a 'normal' or healthy life is even possible. As a therapist trained in the specialty of DBT therapy, I believe that EVERYONE is capable of creating a life worth living.
Psychotherapy can help you with worries, anxiety, depression, and troubled relationships. I can assist you in becoming more constructive in your approach to life; you will discover in treatment abilities that you posess but that you might not even have known about which, when they are known to you, help you to be in a stronger position to feel more confidence and comfort dealing with the challenging aspects of your life. My therapeutic method consists of a process of problem solving with a focus on exploring ones thinking, imagining, feeling and experiencing.
Psychotherapy can help you with worries, anxiety, depression, and troubled relationships. I can assist you in becoming more constructive in your approach to life; you will discover in treatment abilities that you posess but that you might not even have known about which, when they are known to you, help you to be in a stronger position to feel more confidence and comfort dealing with the challenging aspects of your life. My therapeutic method consists of a process of problem solving with a focus on exploring ones thinking, imagining, feeling and experiencing.
Kate Smaller
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, LCSW, MEd
Verified Verified
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Whether you're struggling with a specific issue, or you can't quite put your finger on it, I'm here to help.
Whether you're struggling with a specific issue, or you can't quite put your finger on it, I'm here to help.
Melanie Hogeterp
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
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.
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.
Natalie Blauer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, CAADC
Verified Verified
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
If you want help making your life more manageable or finding a way out of the chaos, you have come to the right place. If you feel like you are struggling to reconcile experiences or find coping skills to manage mental health concerns, relationship issues, and/or addictions, you have also come to the right place. We will work together to identify the source of your discomfort and unmanageability and then identify tools to move forward. Once we have identified the problem, we can work towards a solution. I am very solution focused in my approach and enjoy working with individuals who are ready to make sustainable change.
If you want help making your life more manageable or finding a way out of the chaos, you have come to the right place. If you feel like you are struggling to reconcile experiences or find coping skills to manage mental health concerns, relationship issues, and/or addictions, you have also come to the right place. We will work together to identify the source of your discomfort and unmanageability and then identify tools to move forward. Once we have identified the problem, we can work towards a solution. I am very solution focused in my approach and enjoy working with individuals who are ready to make sustainable change.
I really enjoy working with individuals and families on issues involving stress and anxiety (Panic Disorder, OCD, Generalized Anxiety, Agoraphobia, etc.), folks dealing with issues related to the Autistic Spectrum, people dealing with adjustments to chronic health issues and their impacts, and relationship concerns ranging from parenting and romantic relationships to family dynamics and interacting with adult children.
I really enjoy working with individuals and families on issues involving stress and anxiety (Panic Disorder, OCD, Generalized Anxiety, Agoraphobia, etc.), folks dealing with issues related to the Autistic Spectrum, people dealing with adjustments to chronic health issues and their impacts, and relationship concerns ranging from parenting and romantic relationships to family dynamics and interacting with adult children.
Anna Gerard
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, DSW, LCSW, LMSW
Verified Verified
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (Online Only)
I believe the most well-adjusted individuals have found contentment through the brave exploration of themselves. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. For over fifteen years, I have worked with a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, families and adults. My experience supporting clients through Substance Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Grief and Loss, PTSD and OCD is vast. I also have specialized expertise working with adolescents and young adults.
I believe the most well-adjusted individuals have found contentment through the brave exploration of themselves. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. For over fifteen years, I have worked with a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, families and adults. My experience supporting clients through Substance Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Grief and Loss, PTSD and OCD is vast. I also have specialized expertise working with adolescents and young adults.
Clare Walton
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Hello! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m Clare and I’ve been working with children in multiple settings including schools to help young minds thrive. I have a Bachelor’s and Master's degree from Michigan State University for social work. Through methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and play therapy I allow children to communicate their feelings and experiences in a way that feels natural and comfortable for them. I understand that every child is unique and I work on tailoring my approach to reach the goal of each child building resilience, improving emotional regulation and enhancing their overall well-being in a safe space.
Hello! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m Clare and I’ve been working with children in multiple settings including schools to help young minds thrive. I have a Bachelor’s and Master's degree from Michigan State University for social work. Through methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and play therapy I allow children to communicate their feelings and experiences in a way that feels natural and comfortable for them. I understand that every child is unique and I work on tailoring my approach to reach the goal of each child building resilience, improving emotional regulation and enhancing their overall well-being in a safe space.
Do you feel like you're stuck in survival mode? Trauma and pent up stress can feel plaguing and inescapable, but that doesn't have to be your forever reality. You CAN feel like you are in control of your life again. You are capable of experiencing life beyond survival again. And you are deserving of all the support to get there! As a team, I would love to work with you to help you overcome whatever is preventing you from thriving right now. It takes a lot of strength to reach out when you are in need, and I don't take that lightly.
Do you feel like you're stuck in survival mode? Trauma and pent up stress can feel plaguing and inescapable, but that doesn't have to be your forever reality. You CAN feel like you are in control of your life again. You are capable of experiencing life beyond survival again. And you are deserving of all the support to get there! As a team, I would love to work with you to help you overcome whatever is preventing you from thriving right now. It takes a lot of strength to reach out when you are in need, and I don't take that lightly.
Rob Conrad, LMSW Licensed Master of Social Work, earned his Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Rob has experience working with children, teens, families, and adults. He has spent over a decade working with individuals who experienced complex trauma. Rob is certified in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and trained in EMDR. He believes in meeting his clients where they are at and in the collaborative nature of therapy. Rob uses evidenced based practices to help his clients identify and achieve their goals.
Rob Conrad, LMSW Licensed Master of Social Work, earned his Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Rob has experience working with children, teens, families, and adults. He has spent over a decade working with individuals who experienced complex trauma. Rob is certified in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and trained in EMDR. He believes in meeting his clients where they are at and in the collaborative nature of therapy. Rob uses evidenced based practices to help his clients identify and achieve their goals.
My name is Tiffany and I am a clinical therapist, dedicated to providing a supportive environment where I can listen, support and challenge you, to be the best version yet. Specializing with teens and young adults who are struggling to navigate the stressors of life, relationships, having difficulty finding their purpose as they bridge the gap from adolescents to emerging adulthood.
My name is Tiffany and I am a clinical therapist, dedicated to providing a supportive environment where I can listen, support and challenge you, to be the best version yet. Specializing with teens and young adults who are struggling to navigate the stressors of life, relationships, having difficulty finding their purpose as they bridge the gap from adolescents to emerging adulthood.
David Thornsen
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Not accepting new clients
I work with adult men and adult women on any sort of issue they bring to therapy, and about one third of my caseload at any given time is couples.
I have come to see that my role is to help people look at things differently. We can focus on changing behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, but those changes tend to last only a few weeks. If we focus on a shift in perspective then once that shift is achieved, everything else – feelings, thoughts, behaviors - falls into place.
I work with adult men and adult women on any sort of issue they bring to therapy, and about one third of my caseload at any given time is couples.
I have come to see that my role is to help people look at things differently. We can focus on changing behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, but those changes tend to last only a few weeks. If we focus on a shift in perspective then once that shift is achieved, everything else – feelings, thoughts, behaviors - falls into place.
More Therapists Nearby
Marissa Dulcamaro
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLMSW
Verified Verified
Grand Rapids, MI 49501 (Online Only)
I have experience and I am very passionate about working with those within the adoption constellation, families, pregnant/postpartum, and those experiencing grief.
Hi- I’m so happy you’re here! Being human is not always easy, and, at times, navigating what life has to offer can feel complicated or overwhelming. Because of this, we all sometimes need some extra support, a listening-ear, or a safe space to just talk about everything and anything. I would love to work with you to build a safe, meaningful, and collaborative space to explore your thoughts and emotions while also helping you to develop new skills, understandings, and ways of healing.
I have experience and I am very passionate about working with those within the adoption constellation, families, pregnant/postpartum, and those experiencing grief.
Hi- I’m so happy you’re here! Being human is not always easy, and, at times, navigating what life has to offer can feel complicated or overwhelming. Because of this, we all sometimes need some extra support, a listening-ear, or a safe space to just talk about everything and anything. I would love to work with you to build a safe, meaningful, and collaborative space to explore your thoughts and emotions while also helping you to develop new skills, understandings, and ways of healing.
See more therapy options for East Grand Rapids
Nearby Adoption Therapists Searches for East Grand Rapids
- Ada
- Allendale
- Byron Center
- Caledonia
- Grand Rapids
- Grandville
- Hudsonville
- Jenison
- Kentwood
- Lowell
- Rockford
- Wyoming
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.