Female Therapists in Portage, MI

I am a Solution Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist, which concentrates on problem solving rather than the situation itself. I create an environment that fosters the feeling that you have an advocate who helps you navigate through situations, which may be difficult. I love being a therapist and that comes through by demonstrating a genuine concern with the issues you bring forth. I am committed to engaging in meaningful dialogue with you in order to recognize and help foster an understanding of your struggles, needs, and personal goals. I will also strive to enable you to find strategies to cope with and resolve any issues.

Finding the right therapist for you is important. My style tends to be warm and soft-spoken but I can be gently confrontational when necessary. I decided to become a therapist because I deeply care about helping others in meaningful ways.

Everyone has experienced trauma: either "small-t trauma" such as grief/loss, verbal abuse/bullying, injuries/illnesses, or instability in the home or "large-T trauma" such as rape, assault, physical/sexual abuse, or debilitating injury/illness. As a result of trauma, some individuals experience disruptive memories and/or emotional distress from current situations. I assist clients in gaining insight on their situations as well as the development of specific skills and behaviors that will help to reduce emotional distress. I believe that every client has the ability to heal from trauma.

Therapy is an exploratory, personal and interpersonal conversation. You are the expert on yourself and I will be your guide and mirror, helping you re-set your, or your loved ones challenges, into successful resolve and recovery.

Does your marriage need an "upgrade" to restore connection and communication and optimize each of you to get the love you want? I am certified as an Imago Relationship Therapist and can assist you in this process. I also work with a variety of methods with individuals who desire greater well being and new or enhanced skills in meeting life's challenges and in moving to new levels of consciousness.

You are not broken, you are deeply hurt. It is easy to find yourself in unhelpful patterns & ways of being. This might be due to your nervous system being flooded with anger, fear & despair. In a creative way to survive, you have found self-protection strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies are likely no longer helpful. Part of our work together will be unraveling this muscle memory to reveal how you can live a life that is true to you. YOU become the place of self-awareness, peaceful acceptance & intentional action. As a certified trauma professional & art therapist, I integrate these tools into our therapeutic work.

We can sit here and tell you all about how experienced we are, how we have worked with all individuals and many mental health concerns, but when you look for a therapist, is that the most important thing that you look for? Maybe it is, or maybe you are looking for a therapist that you can relate to, that provides a warm and inviting environment. Maybe you want someone that can throw all rules aside and when you are having a bad day/week can be there just to listen. If you can relate, then Willow Path Counseling is the right place.

I am a licensed psychologist with a background in community mental health and university counseling practicing privately since 2011. I take a holistic approach to therapeutic work, using the context of culture, personal development, and multiple dimensions of identity. I also specialize in evidence-based therapies including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), behavioral activation for depression, radically open dbt (RODBT) for issues of over-control, and prolonged exposure for PTSD. I am board certified as a DBT therapist through the Linehan Institute and infuse elements of DBT like mindfulness practice into my general work.

I assist individuals and families in solving problems as they work toward recovery from addiction and other mental health conditions. I can serve as a guide, resource and source of strength for those who wish to undertake this journey. For individuals, I have an extensive background in substance use and other mental disorders and can help you work through the problems associated with those disorders. For families, I can also assist in helping parents, spouses and/or children understand what is happening to their loved one and provide coping skills for the challenges presented by the problems of the mind.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life! While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties, there's nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. I provide long lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, redirect damaging patterns and overcome whatever challenges you may face! I can also help you attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values. Develop skills for improving your relationships. Cope with stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional pressures. Most importantly improve your self-esteem and boost your self confidence!

Sometimes we find ourselves in a whirlwind, looking for a place that is safe to express ourselves and our needs. Here is that place...a place where you can find peace to resolve the crushing feelings of hurt, pain, and being misunderstood. Imagine a day when you are able to navigate through life effectively, communicate your needs, and accomplish your goals with less anxiety, less depression, and less anger. Awesome right? It is our intent to help guide adolescents, families, and individuals in learning healthy communication and healthy coping skills to incorporate into their daily lives. Let's learn together.

I enjoy working with individuals of all different backgrounds, but with a particular interest in women's issues, addictions, and family conflict. As your psychologist, I will seek to understand the challenges that you face and I will join you in developing and implementing a plan for personal growth.

I am here to help you find the healthiest, most whole part of you. I believe recovery is EVERYWHERE. My primary purpose is to help you heal your whole self. Working under a philosophy based in compassion, acceptance and mindfulness, I want to partner with you to bring out your strengths and help find the joy that's waiting for you.

I approach therapy as a process of joining with my clients in dealing with difficult situations that they face. I will listen carefully and strive to provide an emotionally safe and nonjudgmental space to explore and work through your concerns. Experiencing a genuine connection in a relaxed atmosphere is an essential part of the therapy process. Whether you find yourself stuck in old patterns or life changes, I can provide support, discovery and insight that can help you move through painful issues to a life with more joy, meaning and peace.

Are you looking for a safe space to express yourself, explore your emotions, and navigate life's challenges? If so, I want you to know that you're not alone. As a compassionate and experienced counselor, my primary goal is to provide support and understanding to individuals just like you. I understand that reaching out for help can be difficult, and it takes courage to take that first step. That's why I strive to create a warm and non-judgmental environment where you can feel comfortable opening up about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

Counseling can offer support to make real life changes. I guide individuals to acknowledging conflicts and the ability to work through them. I believe that counseling can benefit anyone. I strive to empower clients to cultivate greater self-esteem and to assist them in developing skills to manage the stress of everyday life.

Maria A. Williams, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University, with an Interpersonal Practice scope. Maria has experience working with children of all ages, teens, young adults and families. Maria has shown to be effective in developing healthy long-lasting therapeutic relationships. She has experience working with many life themes; grief, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, academics, teen pregnancy, foster care, substance use, social media, and other difficult issues that adolescents, teens, and adults face.

Everyone experiences struggles and challenges in life. Whether it is divorce, job change, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues; therapy can help improve the outcome during these times. With my 25 years as a clinical social worker I have had the opportunity to work with individuals, couples and groups from all walks of life. I welcome everyone and strive to provide an environment that is open, welcoming, safe and supportive. My goal is to provide you with new skills and tools to help develop insight and resolution during these difficult times.

I completed my Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan and hold a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology/Sociology from Kalamazoo College. My diverse work, education, and training experiences have provided the opportunity to work with female and male adults and adolescents in individual and group therapeutic settings. My therapeutic approach derives from a relational perspective and I utilize cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, person-centered, and holistic health approaches in our session.