ABOUT US
Our counseling and wellness specialties include:
- Perinatal Counseling (including fertility, postpartum, and loss)
- Women’s Issues
- Couple’s Counseling
- Adolescents
- Grief and Loss
- Therapy Groups
“Holding Space” is a term we often use in the helping profession. It’s to be present without judgment, to not only walk with the client on their journey but to help hold their “stuff” along the way. It’s trust, understanding, mothering, and it’s a skill. This skill comes naturally to us, as it does for many skilled clinicians and it is the best tool we have to help clients get better faster. So, this is what we do. We help hold the “stuff”, walk the walk, and heal wholly.
We specialize in perinatal counseling and women’s issues, utilizing a Holistic/Integrative approach. We provide empathetic care for clients, based on their individual needs. You will feel safe in an environment that will foster exploration and growth. Helping others to live a happy and healthy life is our true passion. We’ve been working in the mental health field for 9+ years and it hasn’t felt like “work” at all. We’ve worked with women and families experiencing anxiety/depression, loss, trauma, adjustment challenges, and relationship issues. Although, we work with a wide variety of clients, working with moms, couples, and moms-to-be is our specialty.
MEET OUR THERAPISTS
Emily Sluiter, LMSW, PMH-C, CYT-200
Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
We can all use some support and outside perspective at various times in our life and I hope to create a safe space for you to explore whatever it is that’s important to you. I have 15+ years of experience working with diverse populations and for the majority of my career, I’ve had the privilege to work with individuals in the family-building phase of life. I specialize in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and I enjoy supporting individuals through pregnancy-related life transitions, infertility, and concerns related to bonding and attachment. I previously held an endorsement as an Infant Mental Health therapist and I‘ve worked in foster care, special needs adoption, international adoption, surrogacy, and private domestic adoption. I am passionate about supporting all members of the adoption constellation and I believe adopted individuals thrive in an atmosphere of honesty and connection to all of the important people in their lives when that can happen safely.
Because trauma and stress are stored in our bodies as well as our brains, I have pursued training in yoga, breathwork, and other somatic practices to offer a holistic approach to healing and integration. I am a sex-positive, body-positive therapist who enjoys supporting individuals as they explore how to live more fully and more authentically. I believe community and connection are essential to healing and I hope to bring authenticity, curiosity, and possibly some humor to our work together.
Below are some areas of my professional focus and training:
- Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
- Adoption support for all triad members, including counseling/mediation services for open adoption
- LGBTQIA2S+ parents
- Grief and Loss (including pregnancy and infant loss)
- Domestic violence
- Support for parents of children with special needs
I am currently accepting new clients for telehealth and in-person sessions. If it sounds like I might be a good fit for your specific needs, please reach out!
Mariele Feldpausch, MA, LLPC, NCC
Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Mariele. I have the honor of working with individuals and couples who are seeking to make changes in their lives. When working with clients, I aim to have a collaborative relationship where we discuss goals and determine the most effective ways to achieve those goals. The therapeutic relationship between counselor and client is essential in making change, therefore I strive to make a safe space and empower every person I have the privilege of working with. I am a firm believer that everyone has the capability to make changes if they are willing to put in the effort.
Areas that I frequently work with clients on include:
- Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- Women’s issues
- Relationship concerns
- Intimacy concerns
- Family conflict
I received my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Central Michigan University. I have completed Level 1 training in The Gottman Method which is a form of couples-based therapy that is built on decades of research and observation regarding couples’ interactions. I also utilize techniques from Attachment Theory which is the concept that interactions with caregivers in childhood guide patterns and habits of forming and maintaining relationships in adulthood. I incorporate skills from other theories including Emotion Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Experiencing.
Camille Knight, MA, LLPC
Sees clients virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I am Camille. Life is a journey and finding out how to navigate it can sometimes be challenging. If you need a safe space, I am here for you. I will be able to listen to you, advocate for you, and provide you with some healthy coping skills along the way.
I am a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) who has a passion for working with women, adolescents, and children. My approach to counseling is integrated with a variety of techniques including: CBT, DBT, and Solution-focused. I also enjoy implementing play & art therapy techniques into sessions with clients as well as focusing on a mindfulness approach.
I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health and School Counseling from Indiana University South Bend in 2017. Over the past years, I have had the privilege of working with all ages and utilizing different therapy approaches.
Some of the areas I specialize in include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Compassion
- Coping Skills
- Healthy Boundaries
- Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders –PMAD (PMHD)
- Relationship Difficulties
- Adjustment Disorders
I am currently offering telehealth counseling sessions and am open to new clients.
Abigail Robb, LLMFT, LLC, MIM
Sees clients virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Abigail. As a clinician, it is my joy and purpose to help others better understand themselves and their experiences in order to live a more full and contented life. It is a wonderful gift to bear witness to the journey of others as they navigate the often-difficult waters of life’s ebb and flow. I incorporate my mindfulness training into the therapeutic process, creating solutions and effective techniques in addressing a wide range of challenges. I speak Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as a Concentration as a Professional Clinical Counselor. I have a Master’s Diploma in Intuition Medicine, a system of expanded perception of the world through the development of the human sense of intuition. This includes an integrated study of subtle energy anatomy systems and their connection to the physical anatomical systems. I have available openings for telehealth and group services at this time.
Ashley Sjoerdsma, LMSW
Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m a clinical social worker whose heart and passion is to help people experience joy, contentment, and connection through all of life’s circumstances. Have you ever noticed how some people seem to go through difficult times with greater ease than others? Have you met someone who is experiencing a hard season of life and yet maintains hope and a positive attitude? It may seem hard to believe, but with the necessary support, it is possible to not just survive hard times, but actually thrive through them. As a therapist, I strive to provide the opportunity for my clients to feel seen, heard and encouraged. I offer a safe and non-judgemental space so clients may heal, make meaning, grow, and flourish in any season of life.
Much of my experience and training has focused on caring for women and infants during the perinatal period. It’s been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I spent several years working as an Infant Mental Health therapist focusing on helping young children and their caregivers develop and maintain strong, healthy, and secure relationships. This work taught me the power of relationships, which is why I always focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship first. It’s critical you feel safe and comfortable before we begin our work. I also approach therapy through an attachment-based lens and am a trauma-informed therapist who integrates a variety of therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of each individual.
In addition to my specialty in treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, I am experienced in working with individuals navigating:
- Fertility challenges
- Grief/loss (including pregnancy loss or infant loss)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Relationship concerns
- Adjustment concerns (related to significant life events or changes)
- Difficulty related to bonding or attachment
Starting a therapy journey takes courage and vulnerability. If you choose to take the next step and allow me to walk beside you, I am confident that you will begin to feel better and experience growth simply through your willingness to try.
Daring Greatly means the courage to be vulnerable.
It means to show up and be seen.
To ask for what you need.
To talk about how you’re feeling.
To have hard conversations.~Brene Brown
Katie Curtis, MA, LPC, CHES
Sees clients virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Katie. Do you often find yourself overwhelmed with anxiety and not sure where to turn? Together we can explore your struggles and help you move toward a more fulfilling life.
I graduated from Oakland University with a Master’s degree in Counseling in 2013. Throughout my journey as a therapist, I have worked with a variety of populations and found my place working with women who struggle with anxiety.
My journey in the mental health field has led me to specialize in the following areas:
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders – PMAD (PMHD)(postpartum anxiety, depression, ocd)
Body image and eating issues
Anxiety
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
My counseling approach is integrated using a variety of techniques and tools to help you, as the client, feel better. The therapeutic relationship between us is most important, then tools from CBT, Adlerian, ACT, Mindfulness, Solution-focused, and DBT will assist us to achieve your therapeutic goals.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in the last 9 years as a counselor: There is great strength in reaching out for help. Let today be the first step in your journey to feeling your best.
Katie Hauge, LPC
Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Katie. As a counselor, I consider it a privilege to walk alongside individuals going through challenges. My goal as your therapist is to support and empower you toward your goals and promote healing. I believe in listening to your story, helping you uncover your priorities, and offering tools to help you decide next steps. In my practice, this may involve experiencing the healing power of exercise, art, and play; it may also involve processing your thoughts on a deeper level verbally or through writing.
I believe optimal health encompasses the whole person physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and creatively. I see all these areas as connected and work to address them through a variety of interventions. Because every person is different, I will tailor our time together to your interests and needs.
My specialty areas include trauma and PTSD, women’s issues including perinatal counseling, chronic pain/adapting to physical health issues, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, ADHD, existential concerns, and identity.
I use a combination of the following modalities in my practice: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Expressive Arts Therapy, Movement/Body-Focused Therapy, Attachment-based Therapy, Experiential Therapies, Mindfulness-based Therapy, Play Therapy, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. I am open to working with children, adolescents, and adults.
Elise Ferrary, MA, LPC, NCC, PMH-C, LPC Supervisor
Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.
(NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)
Hi, I’m Elise. A Mother and a Counselor. I know those are the roles you are wondering about most- they are also my favorite and most important roles. I have been working in the mental health field for 9 years now and have had the opportunity to work in various settings with a wide range of clients. I have found my niche in counseling working with women of all stages, including the perinatal period.
Fit. It’s what I talk to every client about when they first see me. It’s just that important. However, you came to find me, whether it be a direct referral, a random google search, or a lengthy research finding – I am glad you are here. I am confident we can get you feeling your best but first, we have to make sure it’s a good match for you. The therapeutic relationship is the most important part of the process so if at any time it feels like it isn’t the right fit with me or with another Counselor, we can help you get a referral that will work best for you. I am here to help you in the best way I can.
For those of you wondering about my training and schooling, this is for you! I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and my Master’s Degree in Counseling. I completed a dual specialization for school and community counseling and was a member of Oakland Universities’ International Honor Society for Professional Counseling (Chi Sigma Iota). I have worked as a School Counselor, in a Non-Profit (in-home and agency settings), and in private practice. I hold an LPC in Michigan as well as Alabama and an SCL in Michigan. I am a member of the ACA, NBCC, and PSI.
Here are some of my most relevant trainings: QPR Suicide Prevention Training, Strengths-Based Solution-Oriented Assessment, and Intervention Training, Advanced Motivational Interviewing, Domestic Violence Intervention Training, Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care, Postpartum Stress Center 12 HR. Postgraduate Training Program: The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress Assessment, Treatment, & Advanced Clinical Practice, Zero to Thrive: Michigan Model DBT -Pregnancy and Postpartum; Evidence-Based Approaches to Clinical Supervision ACT Counselor Training; Psychiatric Disorders in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations Across the Female Lifespan.
I utilize an integrative approach to counseling – meaning I use tools and techniques from various counseling theories in order to best treat the client and meet them where they are now.
~Mia Hollow, poet
Bring me your suffering.
The rattle roar of broken bones.
Bring me the riot in your heart.
Angry, wild and raw.
Bring it all.
I am not afraid of the dark.