Vision and Values
To promote Trauma-Informed Care in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan community.
- To educate the general public and healthcare communities on the importance of becoming Trauma-Informed.
- To provide Trauma-Specific Therapies to the individuals and families of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids strives to adhere to SAMSHA’s six key principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach. No matter which therapist you work with or which trauma-specific intervention or type of counseling is utilized, we will hold true to our values across all forms of treatment.
1. Safety
We want all of our clients to feel safe in the counseling office, lobby, and with all of our counselors.
2 Trustworthiness and Transparency
We all have advanced training in both trauma-informed counseling and trauma-specific interventions. We strive to keep up with the latest advancements in the field.
We will do our best to explain why we choose the techniques that we do, explain our methodology, and provide resources for you to learn more.
3 Peer Support
Depending on your unique situation, we may recommend other healing modalities, skills groups, or the seeking of a safe community of people that understand what you have gone through, to help you on your healing journey.
4 Collaboration and mutuality
We promise to collaborate with you on your counseling and therapy. We see our clients as partners and equals in the process of doing therapeutic work. We will not take a “medical model” approach that makes you feel disempowered and less than. We work to honor the person that you are in all circumstances.
5 Empowerment, voice, and choice
We want you to be able to choose your therapist and feel comfortable with your choice. We want you to be informed and choose what type of counseling or trauma-specific intervention you want. We believe in your voice and your choices. We promise to empower you with options and information.
6 Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues
We seek to honor your personal history, your unique cultural experiences–we will not seek to change your viewpoints. We respect any gender issues that you may have experienced personally.
We understand that it is vital to support recovery and resilience for those individuals and families impacted by trauma. We provide services that are trauma-informed built on the best evidence available and believe in client and family (if applicable) engagement, empowerment, and collaboration.
Melissa Wade
LMSW, MA
Strengths-Based, Solution Focused, and Resilience Therapies for Families, Children, Teens, and Individuals
Read MoreElif Piromari
LLMSW
Strengths-Based and Trauma-Informed Therapy for Young Adults, Adolescents, and Children
Read MoreMargie Muñoz
MA, LLPC
Trauma Informed Counseling, Mindfulness-Based, and EMDR Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults
Read MoreMaxwell Schuiteman
LMSW
EMDR, Strengths-Based, and Relational Therapy for Adults: Relationships, Men’s Issues, Trauma, etc.
Read MoreJennifer McKinstry
MA, LLPC
Counseling and EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, and Spiritual Issues
Read MoreKaty Jaramillo
MEd, LPC, ATR-P
Counseling and Art Therapy for Adults and Teens: Empowerment and Healing from Medical and Neurological Trauma + Existential Concerns
Read MoreNicole Cass
LLMSW
Creative Solutions and Trauma-Informed Counseling for Couples, Adults, Children, and Teens
Read MoreGabby Cook
LLMSW, MA
Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Therapist for Adults on their Path of Self-Discovery and Growth
Read MoreLindsey Beaver
MA LLMSW
Trauma Informed Counseling & EMDR for Children, Teens, Young Adults and Adults
Read MoreSarah Denick
LMSW
Counseling & EMDR Therapy for Individuals, Families, Couples, Teens and Children
Read MoreShanna Beebe
MA, LLPC
A non-judgemental space for deep healing from trauma, abuse, and relationship wounds.
Read MoreMelodie Whitmore
MA LPC NCC
Trauma-Informed Counseling and EMDR therapy for Women and Young Adults
Read MoreKathryn Barcelona
MS LMSW
Therapy for adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, issues, substance use recovery, etc.
Read MoreJosh Zheng
MS, LLPC
Empowering Counseling for All, EMDR Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy for all ages.
Read MoreBrittani Decess
MA, LLPC
Counseling through a trauma-informed, inclusive, and equitable lens for individuals, relationships, and families.
Read MoreKay Foster
MA LLPC
Inclusive therapy, trauma-informed counseling, and sex-related concerns.
Read MoreAll of the Counselors at The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids have undergone extensive additional training in order to help you:
Following graduate school, all of the counselors at The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids (located inside Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids) have received extensive training in understanding the latest scientific research on neurobiology and how trauma affects the whole person. In addition, all of our therapists have learned at least one, trauma-specific intervention modality, which they have added to their toolbox of techniques in order to best help all people who seek help. This means, that they not only have the same training as your average counselor or therapist in Grand Rapids, MI to conduct traditional counseling and talk-therapy, but they have additional tools and information that will be helpful to people who are looking for more than a “solution-focused brief approach” or a strictly “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)” approach. More good news: Our therapists all know how to utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and interweave those modalities into their personal style. And so, if you are seeking that type of counseling—we also can provide it.
Success Stories
