Therapy can provide a non-judgmental, supportive and open-minded exploration of existing problems that allows for new insights and a learning of new skills. This is done in a relaxed yet processional atmosphere that makes discussing difficult topics easier.
I offer a positive, holistic approach to using someone’s strengths to empower change.
I believe in healing the WHOLE person – mind, body, spirit, and soul. I see you as the expert of your own life and my role as one of support in helping you take your journey towards personal discovery and freedom. My goal is to restore hope, to remind you of your strengths and resources, and to empower you to discover your own voice and, therefore, find your direction.
We do not heal in isolation.
Holistic therapy is not an isolated incident in an appointment, but is a goal for greater long-term health – emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually, intellectually, financially, sexually, culturally, environmentally, and professionally.
Do you find yourself worrying all the time, even about the “small” things? Maybe you’re sick of being “the responsible one” who does things for everyone else but yourself. Maybe you have unhealed past relationship patterns that has been affecting your well-being in the present. Or maybe you just feel like you have tried EVERYTHING but just can’t seem to make the changes you’re looking for. Whatever, you are experiencing, you are not alone. Whatever your needs are, you have come to the right place.
Choosing a therapist and the office to support you in your personal growth is an important decision! Finding the “right” therapist to accompany you on your journey is not about competition. There are plenty of great therapists. But, since all therapists are not the same and each counselor has their own unique style of therapy, here are some qualities that I believe may make Inner Peace Counseling, PLC a great choice for your personal growth.
Therapy is all about the connection between you and another person. Research shows that it is the quality of the relationship with a therapist, not the specific theories or techniques used, that creates positive outcomes. So, I want you to feel that the therapist you are working speaks to your whole Self – body, mind, and spirit.
To help offer this connection, I have training in various treatment orientations like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Recovery, Acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/”Tapping”), The Gottman Method for couples counseling, Amino Acid Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Learn MoreBefore you make the commitment to change your life, you probably have some questions. I hope to answer the common ones here. But, feel free to contact me with any additional questions not listed here.
Part of what I want to offer you is the ability to listen to wisdom of your own Self. So, if you are asking that question, there is probably something significant enough in your life that you deserve support for. But, you’re not in this alone. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and have some help answering that question for yourself!
I offer individual counseling, couples therapy, family therapy, and life coaching both in-person and via telehealth remotely for those in the Kalamazoo area and in greater Michigan.
I do! You can find a list of the insurances I can accept here. However, for those not interested in having insurance dictate who they feel would be the best fit for their personal growth, I offer self-pay options. If you are low income, uninsured, underinsured, or have concerns about your ability to pay, please contact me directly to explore sliding-fee scale options.
I offer a variety of hours in order to best meet your needs. Contact me directly and let us know about your scheduling needs so that we can determine if I’m the best fit for you.
Your first counseling appointment will be different from any other appointment. The first appointment will be used to get to know you, your story, and what causes you to seek support. Sometimes this “assessment” phase can last for the first couple meetings if there is a lot that you feel is relevant to what causes you to seek counseling services.
In case you don’t know where to start, which is perfectly normal, I have a set of questions I typically ask that helps us assess where you are and what the next helpful step would be. Connected to this first appointment is something that also sets us apart as a practice: a creation of a “treatment plan.” You and I will collaboratively create a plan for your time together after you feel like you have been able to share what you need to in order to offer a good understanding of your story. This “plan” outlines the issues that cause you to seek counseling, the goals you have to overcome those challenges, and the specific steps that we will take to help you achieve your goals.
The answer to this depends on a variety of factors that could only be most accurately identified after we meet about your situation. However, because this question is so important, here are some things to consider:
I typically recommend weekly meetings in the beginning in order to help us get to know each other better and develop a solid working relationship. Over time, using the “treatment plan” you have identified, your strengths will be discussed to help you identify how to fastest reach your desired direction in life. Therapy at Inner Peace Counseling, PLC isn’t “just talking” or having me simply nod my head in agreement. It is my goal to be able to have you leave each session having a specific tool or understanding that can help you improve your life as quickly as possible.
The answer to this question depends greatly on the person and situation. However, because I want to make sure you feel like you have a clear direction in therapy and I want to keep accountable to you in the process (your time is valuable, after all!), we will use the “treatment plan” created collaboratively to help you monitor your progress over time. Since therapy with me isn’t “just talking”, my goal is to work myself out of a job by allowing you to have the skills and resources needed to make the the improvements that you desire. And, when you are starting to feel that your need for services isn’t as urgent, I invite you to discuss that with me in order to determine if it is time to consider reducing or eliminating services.
One thing that is essential to remember is, although I take a solution-focused approach to help you get the results you desire quickly, I also recognize that people come and go from therapy based on finances, life transitions, work demands, or other events. So, I have a “revolving-door policy” that welcomes people to work with us, even if it’s only for a short time, or to return after taking time off. There is no shame in returning after time away. Each of us have different needs and seasons in our lives that cannot necessarily be predicted. We will keep our minds open and, while recognizing that, just like anything else, you get from therapy what you put into it, we can have an open dialogue about how to best meet your needs.
That’s perfectly okay! It happens. Sometimes it is a good fit and sometimes it isn’t. I always welcome feedback from clients throughout the entire process of therapy, even if it is constructive criticism. And, if I am not the best fit for you, I will work with you to provide you with a referral to another office that I trust.
I know that the decision about what therapist you work with is a big one. So, I don’t want to talk about me anymore. Let’s talk about you! Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if I am the best fit for your needs.