Female Therapists in Portage, MI

I work often with children, teens, college-age adults, and midlife adults. As a social worker, I know people are affected by their environment, at all levels. I walk alongside clients as they work through anxiety, depression, adjustment, and other stressors, and use a trauma-informed approach. I help children in a developmental manner and help parents navigate challenges. As former student affairs staff, I enjoy working with young adults who are transitioning to college or figuring out their lives in or after college. I also have a passion for working with those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identities.

Hello and thanks for visiting my page! It can be hard to ask for help so I'm glad that you're here. Life is unpredictable and can be filled with hardship. It can lead to depression, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. It's normal to need more support during difficult times. It can be even more helpful talking with a professional who is there to help you live the life you want. I use compassion to create a safe and welcoming environment. I feel it's an honor to work with each of my clients. I currently provide therapy via secure telehealth platform in the evenings so you can have therapy from the comfort and convenience of your home.

In my 18 years as a clinical social worker in private practice I have worked with a wide variety of people. I see my work as that of helping people to find and enhance their own coping abilities. I see it as my privilege to people who are temporarily stuck as any of us can be. I am particularly draw to helping people who have experienced trauma, are suffering from mood disorders, eating problems and the challenges of parenting and love relationships.

Therapy is a great way to show yourself love and compassion! I believe change and growth in therapy can happen from looking inward, getting curious, and learning to recognize patterns. Change can be scary, uncertain, and intimidating. It can also be empowering and grow confidence! We aren’t meant to go through it alone and I'd love to walk along side you through it. My goal as a therapist is to provide a trusting space that allows you to feel comfortable leaning into vulnerability, being your authentic self and building confidence to take steps towards change and growth.

Life is full of challenges! Some of those tests and trials we may need help with. It takes courage to reach out for help whether for ourselves or for our children. Having experienced such things in my own life, it is my desire to use my experience and training to support your courageous journey! My goal is to meet each person where they are, and together we decide the path to follow. I believe we are all beautiful, capable people full of tremendous potential. I endeavor to come alongside everyone I work with as they discover more of their strengths, abilities and personal greatness.

As a counselor, it is my role to help individuals explore their life transitions and challenges and to promote self care techniques as they move through this process. I have worked with individuals and families in a variety of settings for more than 30 years using various treatment models that promote individual strengths.

2024 Update: I can take BCBS or self-pay, with new client availability in the afternoons. To stay true to my specialization and passion, I only accept new clients for relationship counseling purposes (or through a personalized referral). This can be for couples or individual counseling that centers around relationship issues. I also work closely with the queer community (LGBTQ+, nonmonogamy, kink-friendly, etc.), and I love helping clients create and maintain boundaries while becoming their authentic selves.

Charisse M. Staine, MA, M.Ed, is a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional specializing in depression, anxiety, stress, self-care, and life transitions for clients. With over 30 years of Christian counseling, and 5 years of professional counseling, she has counseled hundreds of multicultural teens, young adults, seniors, couples, and families.

I believe we all deserve to feel heard and to experience authentic connection with someone. My goal is to create a therapeutic relationship where you feel empowered and motivated to create positive change in your life. Sometimes we get stuck in patterns and need help to get back in touch with the most important relationship---the one we have with ourselves. This takes trust, support, time and accountability. My role as a therapist is as both a guide and as a witness, helping you to explore and overcome barriers to living fully by drawing upon your own strengths.

Alaina Knoedler is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2017. Alaina firmly believes that healing is possible and can be found within each person that is willing to seek help! That being said, Alaina strives to first and foremost assist her clients in gaining deeper understanding and insight into what the main issues are that they are experiencing in their lives.

I am thrilled to be able to offer counseling services to people that live in the West Michigan area. Although, I specialize in the treatment of children and adolescents, I also enjoy working with individuals and couples. If you are having difficulty with adjusting to new life circumstances, having relationship issues, or if you are a person that is living with a Mental Illness I am eager to help you work through your situation. Life is too short to face your problems alone and I am always willing to listen and help you work towards a new way to face your life's challenges.

Navigating medical and family systems as well as our individual circles can be overwhelming. Therapy can be a positive place to seek help, support, and guidance. I provide therapy to children, teenagers, and adults. Some of the more specific needs that I specialize in are chronic illness in children, adolescent anxiety and depression, life transitions in adulthood and caregiver burnout.

I enjoy working with a variety of clients. My training in marriage and family therapy has helped me to see the importance of knowing the context and history of a person's life. It is important to know each person's unique history and community. I believe that this self-knowledge help us find answers to our questions and new solutions. It is important to believe that our history does not determine our destiny.

Sue Muinch is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan who has been practicing since 2007. She has a Master's Degree in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University. Sue meets the client where they're at to help create a solid therapeutic alliance to motivate them to reach their goals. Sue listens with an open and empathic mind and treats people with an unconditional positive regard. Outside of work, Sue enjoys loves music, mainly classic rock and blues, and spending time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with friends and family.

Paola Paquini is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Michigan who has been practicing since 2023. She obtained her MSN from West Coast University and a PMHNP from Purdue Global University. Paolo has more than 20 years nursing experience in Public Health working with vulnerable populations such a people experiencing homelessness and foster children. She recognizes that everyone's journey is unique, and therefore, tailors treatment plans to meet each individual's specific needs, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-discovery. Outside of work, Paolo enjoys spending time with family, nature, and her dog.

Helping people is my passion and I feel honored that God has placed me in a position to help those find hope and healing through the counsel I offer. I create a safe place for you to share your story and the challenges you face. My hope is that you feel compassion from me as I journey with you to healing and wholeness. It is a process and my commitment is to walk alongside you at your pace.

Everyone has their own unique paths in life. These paths may lead to unexpected turns, different destinations, or hit a few bumps along the way creating feelings of uncertainty. Such experiences and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty may lead us into uncharted territory, challenging us to overcome. Change is hard, and change can vastly impact our social, emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses. I strive to create an atmosphere of safety, acceptance, openness, trust, and respect.

I'm excited to be able to connect with clients from all over Michigan through telehealth, providing therapy from the comfort of your own space. My therapeutic approach is rooted in evidence-based treatments, tailored to your unique needs and experiences. I specialize in stress management, life transitions, women’s issues, perinatal mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. I believe in the power of therapy to help manage life's challenges and transitions, and I'm here to provide the support and tools you need to navigate these times.

Jillian Peyerk is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Michigan who has been practicing since 2016. She has a Master's in Clinical Social Work from Michigan State University. Jillian has years of experience with various populations. She is passionate about meeting a child or adult where they are in their life. Jillian is supportive and will utilize her skills, personal, and professional experience to assist individuals in becoming whom they want to be. Outside of work, Jillian enjoys painting, reading, learning, family activities, crafts, spending time with friends, listening to music, and traveling.