EMDR Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

I view therapy as having three heavy hitters for deep lasting healing. 1) EMDR to neutralize your past adverse events; big & little traumas and 2) Grieving effectively by releasing your sadness and then using skills to stop returning to sad or bad thoughts and 3) Choosing an Attitude of Healing to forgive yourself and others. This will culminate in living an empowered, calm and confident life. My clients set weekly goals and amaze me with their determination and willingness to go the distance to grow, mature and experience full healing. My teachings and handouts are creative and original. Let’s do this!

I 've been in private practice since 1997. Throughout that time I have continued to expand on my knowledge and develop specialties in play therapy, working with the LGBTQ community, substance abuse, and trauma including PTSD. I work with clients experiencing anxiety and depression. I see each client as unique and feel honored to join them in their journey towards health and wellness. I am affiliated with organizations that keep me abreast of evidence-based practices for the unique situations that clients bring to therapy.

My ideal client faces the impact of trauma and life events, caught in patterns hindering progress. Struggling with past experiences, heightened emotions, and frequent criticism, they often question their mental well-being. You're an ideal fit if you seek someone genuinely interested in hearing and understanding your story. I'm here to walk alongside you as you craft a new narrative. If you're seeking growth in relationships, self-worth, relief from pain, and overall life development, you've come to the right place. Let's work together to create a life you truly want to live.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist that has been working with Families, Couples, and Individuals with many diagnosis for over 15 years. I have a very wide array of experience, but do provide specialized training for the following populations: First Responders, individuals suffering from traumatic stress, eating disorders/disordered eating, addiction, and grief as well as their families. I also can support with performance issues related to competition, work, etc. I expect you would find me to be down to earth and practical, but clinically sophisticated in my approach. My goal is partnership and empowerment.

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.

Welcome. My name is Julia, and I’m here to support you. As a therapist, I specialize in trauma recovery and all that comes with it - depression, anxiety, grief, anger, coping (both healthy and unhealthy), and more.

Life is not always easy, but if you are willing to invest in yourself, your mental wellbeing, or even spiritual growth, the transformation you’ll see will be well worth the healthier you.

If you've ever found yourself in a situation where you needed support but didn't know where to turn, you're not alone. I recall my initial attempts at seeking therapy in my younger days, where encounters with judgmental counselors deterred me from seeking help for a while. As life unfolded, it became evident that something wasn't right, prompting me to persistently search for a compassionate guide who would listen without judgment and aid me in my healing journey.

I believe that individuals who have the insight to be able to say "I want something to be different in my life and I am willing to make changes to get there" are capable and wise humans. Needing to navigate feelings, ride the waves of emotion created by living and learning how our brains can hijack us are not character flaws. No one is born knowing how to regulate their neurological system! My role is to help you identify what isn't working, define what you would like your life to look like, then offer tools and support for your journey.

I offer psychological testing and therapy. I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy and value my client's life experiences and the knowledge that they bring into the therapeutic relationship. I tend to work interpersonally and view the therapeutic relationship as a tool for gaining insight into personal struggles, as well as a venue to practice new behaviors and boundaries. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and life experiences and while I am trained as a generalist, I have particular interests in working with depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, body image, gender identity and socialization.

Have you ever found yourself unable to feel better, despite past attempts to think your way out and move forward? Have you found that the same types of hardships keep happening over and over with your behaviors, family, friends, work, school, or partners, like a cycle you can't seem to escape? Maybe you've seen talk therapists or doctors for your symptoms before but didn't seem to get better for long. Or maybe you hold pain that's difficult to talk about. Are you tired of feeling stuck? Are you looking to get to the root of these challenges and heal them for good?

The majority of my practice is working with women and "women's issues." Many women seek guidance and counsel as they deal with the stages and changes in their lives. Childbirth through menopause, there are challenges that can provoke thought, action or concerns. Trauma from childhood sexual abuse can cause depression and anxiety. I have worked with many women concerning these issues. The use of EMDR therapy provides a tool to process through trauma and improve outcomes.

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.

Life can be complicated with challenging experiences, thoughts, feelings and even body sensations and my hope is that you are not holding it all alone. As a therapist, I strive to provide a secure space for you to engage in a non-judgmental, collaborative relationship. I believe in the strength and healing power that resides in the core of each person. Whatever challenges you are facing, I seek to come alongside you in the therapy space to facilitate healing and growth. I trust that together, we can work to make sense of what is happening - now and in the past to lead more empowered and fulfilled lives moving forward.

I am passionate about assisting others to find healing with psychotherapy. I strive to provide a supportive space in which my clients can do whatever type of work they would like to focus on. I specialize in working with clients who have a history of trauma, depression, identity development, anxiety and college age/young professional aged adults.

I believe it is a privilege to work with individuals who are courageous enough to face the painful experiences and emotions that often hold us back from being our most authentic selves. It is my mission to provide you with the tools to safely explore your inner world. I will journey with you towards meaningful transformation and behavior change so you can awaken the best version of you that already lies within! I do this in a way that is kind and genuine, and I am truly passionate about the sacred work of assisting others in self growth.

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.

You deserve the support you need and I am here to help you find it. I specialize in treating many forms of trauma. My priority is to help you find strength, support, and confidence in and out of session. Suppose you are dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relational issues. These are difficult to experience and I can help you find control and power over your experience that create overwhelming thoughts and feelings and help you try to get back to living your life the way you want.

I understand that starting the therapy process can be daunting. Finding the right person to meet with, knowing what you want to work on and finding a way to explain it to another person takes courage and determination. I hope to provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore what is getting in your way and how to develop the tools for you to move forward.