Therapists in Traverse City, MI

I enjoy working with children, teens, adults, and their families. I offer individual, couples, and family therapy. Finding a good "fit" with a therapist can be challenging. I strive to quickly put clients at ease and provide a safe space where we can work together to identify your strengths and skills, process significant life events, communicate your feelings, develop positive coping strategies, and provide support. My passion is to help each client discover their unique strengths in addressing their concerns, no matter their age. If you are seeking services please contact me via email to ensure a timely reply.

Hello and welcome! Here's a bit about me. I graduated with my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and then relocated to Traverse City shortly after. I also hold a masters degree in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University. I currently work with older teens (18+), young adults, and adults who are struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, stress management, LGBTQIA+ Community, trauma/PTSD, and substance use disorders.

You’ve worked so hard to put the past behind you. But, every time you think you may finally be making some progress, something happens to convince you otherwise. You tense up when it's time to go to work and you’re too exhausted and distracted to concentrate at work. It's hard to get out of bed in the morning and face another day. Friends and family notice you’re distant and irritable. Something needs to change.

Hello! My name is Karen and I am a therapist with a passion for helping individuals navigate trauma and LGBTQ-related issues as well as depression, anxiety, parenting and pregnancy concerns. Over my 20+ years of experience in this field, I have witnessed the transformative power of therapy and am committed to being a guiding light on your path to healing and growth. My approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, and I firmly believe in meeting my clients exactly where they are. Creating a safe and non-judgmental space, I encourage you to express your emotions and experiences openly.

Welcome and congrats to you for beginning this journey! Maybe it's for the first time, or maybe you've tried therapy out before. Either way I acknowledge how difficult it can be to start. I believe in the person-centered approach and meeting you where you are now. We don't need to have everything figured out, but we can work together to make steps in the right direction.

My focus is on helping clients find joy and fulfillment in their lives. I provide a supportive and transformative environment where clients can work on anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma while embracing a happier and more joyful life. Many of us are spending much needed energy reacting to our emotions and letting them control our day to day life. Emotions are important, but they do not have to control you! To learn more about my practice you can visit melissajoytherapy.com!

Embarking on counseling takes courage as you take proactive steps towards change. Courage to recognize your life isn’t the way you want it and that it can be different, that you can feel different. Life presents us with challenges, and at times, we all need help in navigating them. Whether it’s coping with a loss of dream, managing anxiety, processing grief, or facing feelings of overwhelm or burnout, seeking help is a valuable step. When challenges accumulate, support can be crucial to navigate complex relationships, disappointments, and address mental health issues through building resilience and cultivating self-awareness.

For the past 20 years I have had the privilege of working with children, teens, adults, and their families who are struggling with trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, health issues, school or work problems. I have significant training working with childhood trauma and attachment issues. Many of my clients want to change some patterns that are preventing them from living the life they want or achieving their life goals. My approach to therapy is collaborative and draws from my experience in relationship-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems work.

I have deep passion for helping individuals on their journey to healing, I specialize in working with those who are motivated to overcome complex trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, and personality disorders. I believe in the power of experiential therapy and the transformational potential of Narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and ADEP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy). These therapeutic approaches form the cornerstone of our practice, guiding my clients toward a more profound understanding of their inner worlds and the narratives that shape their lives.

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.

You have been sitting with your thoughts and seem to recycle your memories. You are excellent at suppressing your hurt and stay busy with work and life as a distraction. You no longer connect with others the way you used to and keep friends and family at a distance. The Pandemic may have increased your anxiety and depression and you are uncertain where to begin. Your worry and fear come out as; anger, sadness and controlling behaviors, due to questioning your worth and self esteem. Will I ever feel truly happy? Will I feel truly loved? Will I find my life path and the career that makes my soul soar? Will I learn to forgive?

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. Because we each have our own way of healing, my approach is integrative and tailored to your unique needs.

My experience is working with individuals exposed to trauma, interpersonal issues, and mood dysregulation, such as anxiety and depression. I have significant experience working with individuals with autism across various environments. Starting therapy can be nerve-wracking, and finding a therapist is an important decision to best suit your needs. I hope to have the opportunity to work with you and identify if we would be a good fit. My focus in therapy is to build a safe, open, and warm environment, and to use this as an opportunity to help you practice and hone skills learned in therapy that can be transferred to your daily life.

I have been working with individuals and couples for 26 years. I see ages 14 and up. I enjoy helping couples and teens. My interests include communication skills, anger management, self-harm, relationship issues, parenting, depression, bi-polar and adjustment disorders. I also am an LGBTQ+ ally and military friendly.

Through my clinical experience, I have worked with a wide range of client populations – from young people navigating thoughts of self-harm to older adults attempting to understand their emotions and behavioral responses. Many clients have come to me to work through issues like anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Using a wide range of tools, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, I help individuals negotiate complex life obstacles with an emphasis on empathy and empowerment, cultivating self-compassion and resilience.

Perinatal and Postpartum therapy is so important to me and I wish I had had access when I was in my postpartum period. Providing support and a safe place for moms and their partners is one of my main priorities.

With a passion for supporting the well-being of children and families, I have worked within child welfare for over four years, and continue to be dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care to help families thrive. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, as I believe every child and family deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

You’re exhausted, overwhelmed by the pace of modern life, stuck in relationships or jobs that don’t fulfill you. You want to change but you’re too bogged down by your inner critic that says you’re “too much” or “not enough”. You’re ready to feel at home with yourself, at home in your life. That’s where I come in. Together we will help you alleviate anxiety and past trauma to manifest more joy, peace, & meaningful connection. We will work to understand and heal your people-pleasing & perfectionist parts so you can learn what YOU truly want in life & how to get it on your own terms.

My area of expertise is assisting, empowering, and supporting children, adolescents, and women. I am committed to working as a partner with individuals and families to address life’s difficulties, offer new skills and perspectives, and empower healthy relationships and personal growth. I have over twenty years of experience in the social services field, specifically working with diverse populations in child welfare, school-based mental health, and victimization/trauma. I particularly enjoy working with children and adolescents, ages 5 through 21, as they develop coping strategies to maintain emotional and mental health.