Grief counselors and therapists in Grand Rapids, MI

Welcome! I can tell you about the “dry stuff” – I have been a Social Worker for the past 40 years with a Masters degree in Social Work (1996) from Eastern Michigan University. I will telI you that I am a fully licensed by the State of Michigan (LMSW). I can tell you about my experiences working with multiple types of challenges (homelessness, trauma, addiction and so many more). This is absolutely vital information to know about any therapist you may seek out.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 13 years of experience in behavioral health, including more than a decade as a psychiatric registered nurse. I earned my post-master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Education from the University of Detroit Mercy.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds in outpatient, residential, correctional, and community-based settings. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

I believe mental health care should be collaborative, respectful, and individualized. My goal is to create a comfortable, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, understand your treatment options, and feel empowered to take an active role in your mental health and overall well-being.

I've spent 30 years working in some of the harder corners of mental health — public mental health systems, behavioral health leadership, substance use treatment — and what I've carried forward from all of it is this: people heal when they feel genuinely seen. Not processed. Not managed. Seen.I work with adults, adolescents, and seniors who are navigating grief, addiction, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, and sometimes the particular weight that comes with illness, loss, and end-of-life experiences — their own or someone they love. I'm a licensed professional counselor in Michigan with dual master's degrees and advanced training in CBT, trauma-focused therapy, ACT, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.My approach is practical in the truest sense of that word: I'm here to help you develop skills you can actually use, not just insight that stays in the room. And I take whatever time we need to make sure the work actually fits your life, not just a textbook version of your situation.

Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience providing therapy to adolescents and adults ages 12 and older. My practice is rooted in trauma-informed care and utilizes evidence-based approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients process experiences, reduce distress, and move toward meaningful change. I am also inquisitive and a conversationalist.

I listen, provide empathy in a way to make you feel empowered without judgement or negativity.

I have a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University with Specialisation in Marriage and Family Therapy, a Bachelors in Psychology, Honours Bachelors Degree in Education (post grad) in School Guidance and counseling, Mediator and Divorce Mediator Certificate,SAT Teacher Certification and EMDR Certificate (Emdria)