Psychotherapist Grand Rapids

FAQs

How do I know if I need therapy?

Here's a truth that might surprise you: you don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If you're asking this question, chances are something in your life feels off, stuck, or harder than it needs to be, and that's reason enough to explore therapy.

Sometimes the signs are obvious: panic attacks that leave you gasping for air, depression and that makes getting out of bed feel impossible, or trauma that hijacks your nervous system without warning. But often, the indicators are subtler. Maybe you're functioning fine on the surface: crushing it at work, maintaining relationships, keeping all the balls in the air, but inside you feel disconnected, exhausted, or like you're performing a version of yourself rather than actually being yourself.

Watch for these patterns: the same relationship dynamics playing out over and over, emotional reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation, or coping strategies that used to work but now create more problems (looking at you, third glass of wine every night). Maybe you grew up with emotionally unavailable parents—something I specialize in—and you're noticing how those early experiences still shape your relationships and self-worth today.

Here's what I want you to know: therapy isn't just for fixing what's "broken." It's for anyone ready to understand themselves more deeply, shed the layers of conditioning that no longer serve them, and step into a more authentic version of themselves. Some of my clients come because they're curious about their patterns, want to improve already-good relationships, or simply refuse to pass their unhealed trauma onto the next generation.

In my practice here in northern Grand Rapids, I've worked with people navigating everything from severe PTSD to general life transitions. What they have in common isn't the severity of their struggles, but their readiness to explore their depths and embrace change. You don't need to wait until things get "bad enough." If you're feeling stuck, curious, or simply ready for something to shift, that's enough. Your desire for growth and healing is valid at any stage.

What's the difference between a psychotherapist and a regular therapist?

The terms "therapist" and "psychotherapist" are often used interchangeably, and for good reason. In practice, there's typically no meaningful difference between them. Both refer to licensed mental health professionals who provide talk therapy to help you navigate life's challenges, heal from trauma, and develop healthier patterns.

The word "psychotherapist" literally means someone who provides psychotherapy: that deep, transformative work of exploring your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to create lasting change. But guess what? That's exactly what most therapists do, whether they use the "psycho" prefix or not. It's kind of like asking the difference between a car and an automobile; same thing, different label.

What actually matters isn't the title, but the person's specific training, approach, and whether they're the right fit for you. As someone with a Masters in Social Work, advanced certifications in substance abuse treatment and Brainspotting, I could call myself a therapist, psychotherapist, clinical social worker, or mental health counselor. The title on my business card doesn't change the fact that I'm here to help you dig deep, challenge patterns that no longer serve you, and support your journey toward authentic self-expression.

In Michigan, like most states, what's important is that your mental health provider is licensed and has the appropriate credentials. Whether someone calls themselves a therapist or psychotherapist, they should have completed graduate-level education, supervised clinical hours, and passed state licensing exams. Beyond that, it's about finding someone whose approach resonates with you, someone who gets your dark humor, honors your whole identity, and isn't afraid to call you on your BS when needed.

So don't get too caught up in the semantics. Focus instead on finding a professional who makes you feel seen, challenges you to grow, and creates a space where all parts of you, even the messy, complicated ones, are welcome to show up and heal.

What are the four stages of psychotherapy?

Therapy isn't a neat, linear journey through four tidy stages like some textbook might suggest. The traditional academic model talks about stages like assessment, intervention, working through, and termination, but honestly? That's not how healing actually unfolds for most people.

In my years of working with folks from all walks of life, I've learned that therapy is more like a spiral than a straight line. You might circle back to earlier themes with deeper understanding, have breakthrough moments followed by setbacks, and discover new layers of yourself when you least expect it. That said, there are some general phases that many people experience in their therapeutic journey.

The "Getting to Know You" Phase This is where we build trust and safety. You're figuring out if I'm someone you can open up to, and I'm getting to know your unique story, struggles, and strengths. We're establishing whether my blend of dark humor, directness, and warmth works for you. This phase involves a lot of storytelling, assessment, and sometimes just learning how to be vulnerable with another human being. It's about creating a space where all parts of you feel welcome to show up.

The "Unpacking What's Really Going On" Phase Here's where we roll up our sleeves and start examining the patterns, beliefs, and coping mechanisms that aren't serving you anymore. Through approaches like Brainspotting and talk therapy, we're accessing both the thinking and feeling parts of your brain. This phase can be intense: we're looking at trauma, family dynamics, and those survival strategies that once protected you but now hold you back from living authentically.

The "Sitting in the Discomfort" Phase This is the working-through stage that takes real courage. As you start dismantling old patterns and confronting difficult truths, things might feel messier before they feel clearer. You're in the thick of transformation, challenging deeply ingrained beliefs, and learning new ways of being. This is where having a therapist who can hold space for your discomfort while also knowing when to bring in some lightness becomes crucial. It's not always comfortable, but it's where the real work happens.

The "Integration and Growth" Phase This is where you start integrating everything you've learned and experienced. You're practicing new skills, setting boundaries, and showing up more authentically in your life. You might move toward less frequent sessions or decide you're ready to fly solo. Some people cycle through these phases multiple times as they peel back different layers of their experience. The beautiful thing is, you get to take these tools with you wherever you go.

Here's what I want you to know: wherever you are in your journey, it's valid. Healing isn't about perfectly progressing through predetermined stages. It's about honoring your unique process, embracing both the breakthroughs and the setbacks, and trusting that your brain—in all its beautiful complexity—knows how to heal when given the right support and space. My role is to challenge you to explore your depths while believing unwaveringly in your capacity for change and healing.

How many sessions are needed?

I wish I could give you a neat, tidy number here, but that would be doing you a disservice. Asking how many therapy sessions you'll need is like asking how long it takes to heal from a broken heart or grow into the person you're meant to be. It's deeply personal and depends on so many factors.

Some folks come in for a specific issue and find relief in 8-12 sessions. Others are here for the long haul, doing deep trauma work that unfolds over months or years. Research suggests that about 50% of people see improvement within 15-20 sessions. But statistics don't capture the full picture of what healing actually looks like.

Here's what influences your unique timeline: the complexity of what you're working through, how long you've been carrying it, your support system outside therapy, and how ready you (and your nervous system) are to dig into the uncomfortable stuff. If you're addressing recent anxiety, we might make significant progress relatively quickly. If we're untangling developmental trauma or patterns from growing up with emotionally unavailable parents—work I specialize in—that journey typically needs more time and space to unfold safely.

Through approaches like Brainspotting, we can sometimes accelerate healing by accessing the deeper parts of your brain where trauma is stored. This somatic approach can be more efficient than talk therapy alone, but even then, your nervous system sets the pace. Pushing too hard, too fast isn't healing, it's retraumatizing.

What I can promise is this: I won't keep you in therapy longer than necessary, but I also won't rush you through a process that needs time. Some people see me weekly for a while, then move to biweekly, then monthly check-ins. Others might take breaks and return when life throws new challenges their way. Your healing journey is uniquely yours, and we'll honor whatever timeline your beautiful, complex brain needs to create lasting change.

How often should I go to therapy?

Most people start with weekly sessions, and there's good reason for that: it creates momentum, helps us build a strong therapeutic relationship, and gives you consistent support as you navigate change. But like everything in therapy, frequency isn't one-size-fits-all. Your needs, life circumstances, and where you are in your healing journey all play a role in finding the right rhythm.

When we're in the thick of it—processing trauma, managing crisis, or dismantling deeply rooted patterns—weekly sessions provide the continuity your brain needs to create new neural pathways. Think of it like learning a new language or instrument; regular practice helps things stick. With approaches like Brainspotting, which I use to help your brain process trauma at deeper levels, having that weekly touchpoint allows us to build on the previous session while the work is still fresh in your nervous system.

Some folks dealing with acute anxiety, recent loss, or intensive trauma work might even benefit from twice-weekly sessions initially. There's no shame in needing more support during particularly challenging times. On the flip side, if you're in maintenance mode or working on longer-term growth, biweekly or monthly sessions might feel just right.

Here's what I've noticed in my 15+ years of practice: people who try to spread sessions too thin at the beginning often struggle to gain traction. It's like going to the gym once a month and wondering why you're not seeing changes. But as you develop tools, build resilience, and start integrating what you've learned, we can absolutely space sessions out more.

Life also happens between sessions: financial shifts, schedule changes, or simply feeling ready to test your wings. We'll adjust frequency as needed, always keeping your wellbeing at the center of that decision. The goal isn't to keep you in therapy forever; it's to provide the right amount of support for sustainable healing. Trust yourself to know what feels right, and trust that we can always recalibrate as your needs evolve.