Grief counselors and therapists in Ypsilanti, MI

Is your child struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma? Parenting in today’s world is harder than ever, and you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. I offer a safe, supportive space where your child can develop coping strategies, emotional awareness, and inner resilience. Together, we can help your child build the skills they need to thrive, while also providing you with the tools to support them at home.

My name is Amy Plettner and I have 7 years professional experience. I received my masters degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

Hello and welcome.

I’m a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families across a range of settings—including colleges, group practices, healthcare systems, and now in my private practice. My clinical foundation includes seven years of graduate training (MS and PhD), and I began my career as a social worker in non-profit LGBT health and hospital inpatient care.

I specialize in trauma-informed care and work with people navigating depression, anxiety, and overwhelming stress.

I typically work with clients long-term, building a therapeutic relationship grounded in warmth, honesty, and trust. I’m easy to talk to, and I invite collaboration and transparency in every session—believing that healing happens when people feel safe, understood, and empowered.

I work with children and teens (ages 7+), young adults, adults, couples, families, and relationship partners. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or navigating challenges in your relationships, I’m here to help you move toward a more connected and fulfilling life.

I have been doing this work since 2009 — which means I have sat with a lot of people through a lot of different kinds of hard. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling with a dual focus in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy, and my career has moved through two distinct chapters that have shaped how I practice. The first half was spent in the world of substance use — working with individuals and families where the stakes were high and the complexity was real. The last several years have been in private practice, where I've worked with the full range of human struggle: depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, substance use disorders, parenting stress, and the disorienting moments when life shifts beneath your feet. I work with individuals, couples, and groups. Very few things surprise me at this point — and that's exactly what makes this work feel safe.

I am a compassionate counselor and easy to get to know. I am excellent listener

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

I’m an easygoing, approachable therapist and a good listener. I want you to feel comfortable sharing your story and talking openly about what brought you to therapy. I’m interested in understanding your goals, where you want your life to go, and what changes you would like to make.

I also believe that understanding where we’ve come from can help us better understand where we are today. Our life experiences can shape the way we think, make decisions, and approach relationships and challenges. By exploring those experiences together, we can begin to understand what may be holding you back and identify healthier ways to move forward.

Seeking therapy can be anxiety provoking. But it can also create welcome change. When I initially speak with clients, I want to hear their story; where they have been and where they want to go. As a team, I want to help them get there. I see the relationship between a client and therapist as a collaboration of efforts. We create a team based approach, where I can help a client "connect the dots" to gain a better understanding of their every day life experiences and challenges.

I graduated from MSU with my BSW, and then received my MSW from U-M. I have been practicing for about 30 years. I specialize in anxiety/depression, parent guidance, grief, coping, trauma, relationship issues and life transitions.