Therapists in Shelby Township, MI

Hello! My name is Laverne Santangelo and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan. I am also a certified Wholistic Life Coach and Yoga Teacher. I am a retired army veteran. I enjoyed serving my country and I now serve from the yoga mat and my therapy office! My experience and knowledge in the mental health field and helping professions is vast. I am passionate about my clients achieving balance and wellness in all areas of their life! Our minds, bodies and souls can become healthy from counseling, coaching and positive regard.

Currently accepting new clients for in-person and telehealth appointments. Hard times happen to us all. When we are carrying the weight of a loss, trying to manage the persistent distress of anxiety or depression, or going through a difficult time of life, it can feel like we are all alone. When the difficult days seem to overshadow the positive aspects of our lives, it can be a relief to know that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. These are the times we need support, today more than ever.

Give me a chance at letting me be a LIGHT for YOU! Can I help you to feel happy again? Can I be a listening ear to help you work through the feelings you are faced with? Can we walk together as you transition to the next chapter of your life? These are real questions that I have been able to help patients like you answer. Beginning counseling is a courageous step that one takes, and I celebrate you for taking the courage to act on this leap of faith. During our counseling sessions, I will strive to work with you on trying to find hope and peace in the midst of pain, sadness, unhappiness, and fear.

Does it feel like you are losing control? You feel anxious and cannot stop the fears. These overwhelming thoughts can interrupt your ability to live your best life. Issues can come into our lives, at any time, without warning, devasting and catching us off guard. Choosing to begin therapy shows incredible inner strength and a desire to invest in yourself.

It's hard being human. We don't come with an owner's manual and no one really knows what it's like to live our lives. There's no certain formula for how to be happy. Often we don't know what we want, or sometimes even who we truly want to be. We just know: "I want to feel better." Being our own unique person in the world we live in is incredibly messy and immensely complicated, and everyone gets stuck sometimes. Many things can cause us to get stuck like life events, grief and loss, trauma, issues in relationships, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, and even being LGBTQ+ or neurodiverse in a neurotypical heteronormative world.

We are all unique, but the truth is, all of us face challenges and difficulties at different points in our lives. Some difficulties are painful and yet other difficulties seem more "chronic" and "just get in the way of us being the best we can be". Whatever the case is for you, my goal is to partner with you, listen to you, and work together to identify the best strategies and concrete tools for you, to get you where you want to be.

Clients who seek therapy are interested in healing and moving forward with a more positive approach to life. Issues can improve by addressing boundaries, insecure attachment, trauma responses that can leave you feeling defeated and alone. In therapy you are able to address goals, feel safe, and utilze various techniques with a professional who makes you accountable. My favoirite is the power of prayer and if you believe you will recieve blessings. Some times in therapy it can begin with forgiveness, just forgive yourself or others and it will set you free. Positive approach and Solution Focused is where it all begins.

Navigating the journey of life has its own set of challenges. My goal as a counselor is to accompany you on this journey to promote healing and personal growth. I welcome my clients into an accepting, unbiased, and caring environment to safely process through their emotions. My hope is to help you to identify and utilize effective coping mechanisms to navigate life's challenges.

Appointments currently available for adults or teens! Making the decision to begin therapy takes so much courage and vulnerability, and I understand the importance of finding the right therapist for you. I have experience helping people across different avenues and walks of life navigate through challenges to heal and grow. I have a collaborative approach to therapy and I'm comfortable using different treatment options that are tailored to each person, including Brainspotting therapy.

My vision began several years ago when I realized that most counseling agencies tend to concentrate on only one aspect of wellbeing, "Mental Health". Many people seeking whole body wellness are forced to travel to multiple providers to gain the full experience. Why not have one agency that meets the multiple aspect in achieving the "Whole Body Wellness" concept? I truly believe that maximizing personal wellbeing is dependent on the emotional, physical and spiritual health of every individual. I am proud to provide the surrounding community with a comprehensive clinic that addresses whole body wellness.

Dr. Rene Nota is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience. This experience has strengthened her understanding and response to depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and relationship struggles. She helps to clarify and gain perspective of the toll emotional psychological stressors, such as increased relationship conflict(s), complicated grief/loss, fear of abandonment and/or rejection, social withdrawal, and difficulty with trust. She works to strengthen communication and implement healthy coping skills in order to discontinue long-term patterns of negative thinking and behavior.

I am passionate about helping my clients discover their full potential. My goal is to build genuine trust with you, promote personal growth, and enable healing, and restoration. Together, we will define your path and make a plan for you to become the person you want to be. We will explore your past and learn coping strategies to deal with your daily challenges, and fears. My approach includes unconditional positive regard, and a genuine concern for your well-being. I make use of many modes of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused, as well as others.

Our founder was selected prestigiously as a University of Michigan field faculty instructor. We are a Mental Health Therapy office. Our founder has a Master's Degree from the number one school in clinical social work in the United States of America; the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and was clinically trained as a social worker psychotherapist by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Health System, where she also conducted research on a variety of mental health issues and continue to work with communities and groups of diverse backgrounds.

Contact my office (email or phone) or visit: www.LakesideProfessionalCounseling.com for assistance scheduling an Intake with me. "You will have the opportunity to share with me how you would like your life to be better. I will see things from your perspective and bring insight to your sessions. You being happy living your live is the most important goal!"

I use an integrated approach tailoring different therapeutic theories and tools to the specific needs of my individual clients. Starting therapy often feels intimidating, uncomfortable and vulnerable. I understand this and offer a non-judgemental and validating space to process your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My clients have described me as easy to talk to, authentic, and validating. I help clients to explore past ways they've coped and survived, the inherent strengths they already have within them, and to identify patterns they might not be aware of. I practice and preach self-compassion and acceptance.

Accepting new patients! Whether you are new to therapy or looking to start again, Great Lakes Psychology Group - Shelby Township understands that starting therapy can be overwhelming. That’s why we simplified the process with Find My Therapist. Get started by telling us about yourself, your location, and your insurance. Once you find your best-fit therapist, pick a time that works for you and book an appointment instantly through their calendar. Find My Therapist aims to make your journey as stress-free as possible, so you can start feeling better sooner.

In spite of the challenges we face in life, our inner strength and ability to heal stays with us. Since 1997, I have been helping families create happier lives by working with individuals to obtain mood stability, challenge distorted thoughts, and overcome maladaptive behaviors In the past 15 years I have focused my practice on the treatment of Anxiety. 1 in 8 people suffer with anxiety. It affects children, adolescents, adults and the elderly. If left untreated the symptoms only worsen over time. Please refer to my website to learn more about anxiety and how it manifests itself across all stages of human development.

Contact my office (email or phone) or visit: www.LakesideProfessionalCounseling.com for assistance scheduling an Intake with me. "My approach to treatment is person-centered, meaning you will always be in charge of directing your therapeutic process, and be treated with dignity and respect throughout each stage of your healing. I have experience working with individuals and groups struggling with addiction, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I also believe strongly in the positive impact of mindfulness, meditation, and holistic practices to mental health and recovery."

An ideal client is someone deeply determined to change and improve themselves. They recognize the need to address their problems and are highly motivated by a strong desire for personal transformation and a better quality of life.