In Person Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Let’s be honest. Life gets real sometimes. Things happen and we can wind up feeling stuck, lost, or hopeless. To top it all off, we often feel pressured to put on a brave face and weather the storm. It’s for these reasons that I founded Sunshine Counseling. You deserve a space where you can be yourself, where you don’t have to hide, and where you can safely process life. Truth be told, I named my therapy practice after a mug my friend gave me which sarcastically declares, "I am a ray of freaking sunshine!" This cheeky little mug actually encapsulates my world view. It is not all sunshine and rainbows. And that's ok.

Life can be difficult and we don't have to walk through it alone. If you want to feel more connected with your spouse, have a better relationship with your children, or find more meaning in life, therapy can help you achieve these goals and many others. As your therapist my goal is to work alongside you, and through our therapeutic relationship, help you identify goals and remove barriers that have been holding you back from reaching these goals. I work with individuals, couples, and families to address marital/couple conflict, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD/Trauma, as well as finding more purpose in life.

I have special interest and expertise in the treatment of psycho-social issues related to traumatic brain injuries, depression and anxiety disorders, young children, adolescents, and adults, parenting support/education, home and community-based treatment, school challenges, childhood trauma, and social skills training. My rural upbringing gives me a down-to-earth perspective promoting self-efficacy, while my education and worldliness serve to inform my interventions to meet the unique needs of a diverse patient population. I strive to provide treatment that is both compassionate and competent.

Hello there, I'm Lex. Are you feeling disconnected from your body, interested in exploring patterns, working through trauma, or would like to begin the next chapter of your life but are feeling stuck? As your counselor, my priority is understanding your perspective and empowering you to explore your inner world, celebrate your strengths, and honor your resilience. We will work together to get creatively curious about how to move forward by starting on the journey of creating goals in a non-judgmental, safe, and inclusive space. I recognize and support the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals.

I believe when behaviors are viewed as changeable and manageable, we are no longer limited to past patterns and cycles, but gain the potential to bring balance and control to our reactions, and ultimately, to our lives. I look forward to continuing to work with individuals and families to meet their unique challenges, and often interpersonal issues. I work to guide my clients to challenge unhelpful thoughts and behavioral patterns and to foster increased awareness to help improve the overall quality of life of each person.

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.

Life has a way of happening to us sometimes, and we realize we might need support, but fear stops us from taking the next step forward. I like to take time to get to know each person and build a relationship with them that conveys trust, respect, and understanding. My goal as a therapist has been to be a support for individuals and walk with people in their journey to become the best versions of themselves. If I am your therapist, you can expect to be met with empathy, support, respect, and understanding. When anyone comes through my door, they can expect not to be judged or shamed for any of their history or previous experiences.

I am especially passionate about the healing and wellbeing of POC, QTPOC, Women, and young adults. I understand how the intersectionality of our identities impacts our experience of the world, and I strive to provide a safe, warm, and supportive space for those experiences to be discussed.

Hi, I’m Ashley. I have had the privilege of caring for moms during the earliest stages of motherhood for the past 10 years. I have learned from both personal and professional experience that motherhood often doesn’t look like or feel the way we thought it would. It’s common for women to feel disappointed, sad, and worried when their experience as a mom is not as easy, joyful, or natural as they expected it to be. Depression is the most common complication of childbirth and up to 20% of women experience a mental health concern during pregnancy and/or postpartum.

Whether dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or life turmoil, you’ve made a tremendous step in your healing journey and my goal is to help you along the path to restoration and growth! You were gifted with the attributes to reach your dreams and goals. It is my job and joy to supply you with tools to unearth those jewels that are within you. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Cornerstone University and Masters of Arts in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. I have served as a life coach for 15+ years. I provide counseling and life coaching services to adults, couples, and families.

You’re surrounded by people yet you are unsure whether you’re ok. Those around you seem to think so but you feel that at any moment the right trigger could burst you into tears. You feel shame, anger, frustration, and even hopelessness at times. These are all feelings we’ve felt at one time or another throughout our lives. They are all part of the human experience. However, many of us struggle to move on from these feelings and feel weighed down by our past experiences or our current circumstances. We can feel like we’ve lost control of our own lives.

Humbled by the privlege of walking alongside individuals seeking growth and clarity, I am committed to helping clients connect with the most authentic version of themselves. I value the therapeutic alliance and I strive to create a space that encourages exploration and self-understanding. This process may often involve recognizing patterns that are no longer helpful, exploring early life experiences, and uncovering beliefs that may be obstacles to well being.

Relationship, occupational and parenting stressors can feel incredibly overwhelming and leave you feeling emotionally depleted. They impact your quality of life and overall well-being. If you're struggling with where to start, therapy can offer an unbiased perspective and healthy tools to rebalance the emotional load you're carrying. We'll work together to identify your goals, improve your relationships, and increase your joy, purpose and peace. Specializing in life transitions, anxiety/depression, couples, parenting/step-parenting, relationship issues and grief.

Chris Lawitzke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 3.5 years of experience. He works with teens, adults, and seniors to identify their goals and work through issues related to addictive disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral modification, bipolar disorders, borderline personality disorder (BPD), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), depression, LGBTQIA+-related issues, PTSD, stress, and more.

As we age, I can't help but think that our lives may go off the path we originally intended. While life can be full of many positive changes and events, there may also be experiences in which one may develop feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and/or depression. It can be hard to recognize life isn't always 'perfect' and to determine how and where to give up control. My goal is to help you leap into the unknown, build more authenticity and awareness, and start living a life with more fulfillment.

Counseling for everyone. Most major insurances accepted and flexible payment plans are available.

Life is a complex journey that can bring both amazing highs and life-altering lows. We can be faced with difficult challenges, unexpected changes, and raw emotions that our current coping skills aren’t equipped to manage in a healthy way. While I believe we’re all doing the best we can with what we know, there can be times when support from an outside source can help us learn how to thrive through those lows versus just survive.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker. I earned my bachelor's degree in History from Taylor University; a Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University; and a Master's degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. I have over 25 years of experience working in counseling, training, higher education, non-profit administration, and financial planning. My experience as a clinical therapist, has spanned over 23 years. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addictive personalities, spiritual issues, financial issues, and cognitive restructuring.

My passion is working with the Early Childhood population and focusing on this crucial developmental period with early intervention strategies. In addition, I enjoy providing support during transitional times in life including the journey of parenthood and postpartum support. I have experience in autism spectrum disorders, anxiety/depression, self-esteem, ADHD/executive functioning skills, parenting skills and navigating relationships.