Expressive Arts Therapists in Traverse City, MI

Welcome! Are you ready to unburden from ingrained patterns, heal trauma wounds, and welcome joy, connectedness, and wonderment into your life? I can help. I'm an attachment-focused and trauma-informed psychotherapist with a curious mind, open heart, and hearty sense of humor. I believe that therapy should feel nourishing and meaningful - and the effects should be transformative. As a Narrative, Mindfulness, Sandtray, and IFS trained therapist, I helps clients “re-author” their lives — often using experiential and expressive arts activities or guided ‘parts’ exercises in order to make space for new ways of thinking and understanding.

I support clients facing a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. My specialization lies in working with young adults, and middle-aged adults, as well as individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, pregnancy, and parenting challenges. I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of therapeutic relationships. No one should have to face their challenges alone. My approach is centered on empathy, respect, and collaboration, creating a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Are you being bullied and feel the urge to harm yourself? Are you struggling with anxiety and dissociative issues? Are you a member of the LGBTQIA2-S+ community and feel misunderstood? I can help you improve relationships, overcome challenges, cultivate personal growth, and gain the self-confidence you need to thrive. My specialties are teens, young adults and LGBTQIA2-S+ individuals struggling with trauma, sexuality or gender identity, as well as those who struggle with dissociation and neurodivergent disorders. I make therapy a safe, comfortable, and productive place to be. No judgment. Just clear communication and understanding.

My intention is to work with you & help you discover your truths, strengths, & the answers you have within you. Through your willingness to change, it is my hope you can grow, self discover, & release negative patterns that don't serve you. In the context of a safe, supportive, therapeutic relationship you have the opportunity to creatively build and identify coping skills, examine strengths and weaknesses, and enhance your ability to problem solve. We can use art/talk therapy,or a combination of both. I also integrate music, writing, or mindfulness techniques into sessions when appropriate to further self exploration.

I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.

My work as a therapist is grounded in the core values of human relationships, dignity and worth of the person, human and cultural diversity, social justice and advocacy, and community mental health. I offer goal oriented and person-centered therapy individualized to client's expressive nature. I work with clients who would like to challenge their growth and get to know themselves in order become a better version of who they are. I believe that each of us has a life path and holds the capacity to authentically contribute to our world in a unique & positive manner.

Hi and Welcome! I'm so glad you are here. If you are looking to make a change to your life I can help with that. Whether young, old or in between, we all have the power within us to change our story and welcome healing and wellness into our lives. As Rumi once said, "The dark thought, the shame, the mailce. Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes. Because each has been sent as a guide." I can help assist in this journey, to be a guide for you or your family member in learning the tools to help assist in creating a more peaceful and meaningful life.

Kari is now accepting children ages 6+ for in-person therapy and 15+ for telehealth or in-person. Kari believes that people are innately driven to achieve wholeness. Encouraging clients to actively listen to their minds and bodies, Kari creates a warm atmosphere of safety. She supports clients as they do the transformative work of identifying their growth areas and empowering their curiosities.

Times are challenging. If you're feeling dissatisfied, depressed, unfulfilled, nervous, or disconnected from others, I can offer guidance and support. The therapy I provide is grounded in compassion, non-judgment, and curiosity. Utilizing an integrative approach, we'll find a path that works for you. Some of the issues my clients navigate: grief and loss; depression and anxiety; relationships (friends, family, romantic partners); life transitions (parenting, gender, career, marriage/divorce, menopause/mid-life); finding purpose/meaning; creating healthy boundaries; perfectionism; healing trauma (historical, childhood, etc.).

Are you struggling with increased emotional or physical difficulties due to the impact of isolation, covid 19, life transitions? Are you feeling increased Depression and Anxiety? Are you struggling with relationship issues? Has someone you love died or is in the process of dying? Are you struggling with other issues of grief or loss? Do you have medical issues that are impacting your emotional well being? Maybe you are needing help managing responses to past or current trauma? I am here for you. I will listen, support and encourage you. We will explore the difficult issues and create your unique healing plan together.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I partner with individuals and families in the therapeutic process. As a collaborative therapist I believe that judgments are for courtrooms, and that no one has to do it all alone. My therapeutic approach is relationship based and person-centered. This relationship is a partnership with the purpose of engaging in conversations to reach a deeper understanding and encourage growth and change. Maybe you have a difficult child or you're grieving a loss. Whether your struggle is depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, addictive tendencies, resurfacing childhood trauma, etc., there can be relief.

Whether you want to break old cycles that aren’t working, gain insight into your relationships and behaviors, or build a more positive relationship with yourself, I’m your enthusiastic co-voyager. Through talk therapy and the arts, I support clients in telling their story while harnessing their innate strengths and creativity.

When you’re around others, you wear a mask and pretend everything is okay. Beneath the surface, you feel a churning of discomfort, disconnect, and detachment from the people and the world around you. Sometimes, you feel so internally overwhelmed that you go numb. When you’re alone, the psychic pain sets in and your whole being surges with anxiety. You feel lost and like you’re drowning. The persistent feelings of loneliness and isolation are soul crushing. Life has lost its spark, and you are alone in the dark. You can’t calm down because being calm means you’re too vulnerable. You can’t imagine a different future.