Therapists in Ypsilanti, MI

My work as a therapist is finding the treasure that I know is inside of you. I realize that your “gem” is often there, but covered up by years of bad habits, unfortunate events, or mental health issues beyond your control. I believe that you have your own answers to your problems and I am here to help you clarify and find those answers. I take a person-centered approach. I may challenge you, but do so with compassion and understanding that life is a journey with bumps in the road for all of us.

Currently Accepting New Medicaid Clients Only! - EMAIL for faster response if possible. It has long been a passion and dream of mine to provide therapeutic services for transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive children, youth, adolescent, adults and their families. As a queer transgender man of color, I passionately believe that when individuals are able to live as their true authentic selves they can live longer, robust, and happier lives. I strive to help my clients and their families grow together on a journey that is enriching and nourishing to the soul.

I enjoy getting to know my clients from the very beginning, in order to focus our counseling work on what best fits each person, family, or couple. I believe in establishing a strong, flexible, and collaborative therapeutic relationship as the foundation for positive work with clients. I am comfortable working with clients through a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, relationship and/or family counseling, self-confidence and identity struggles, life transitions, feeling "stuck" in life, and much more. I am also open to including topics of spirituality in our counseling work, for any clients who are interested.

I am a multi-degreed licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in Michigan. The goal is to assist my clients in working through issues that negatively affect them in their daily lives. I work with clients who may be struggling with depression or trauma related to their relationships or family. During our initial sessions, we will delve deeply into the issues at hand, and collaborate to create a plan for addressing them in a way that helps you get your life back. Most of my clients see a gradual lifting of symptoms within the first month and sustained improvement afterward.

Everyone deserves to have a good day and a better tomorrow. I realize that taking on a personal change out of desire or necessity is often harder than it sounds. I work with all ages, life-stages, and conditions. People arrive with their bag of “stuff”: hopes, disappointments, wounds, trauma, diagnoses, and connections. I start where you are and work with you to create a path to a place of well-being.

My work is short term and solution focused. I draw on several therapeutic approaches, depending on the nature of the problem, including behavior therapy, family therapy and strategic therapy. I have a diverse background from 50 years of experience in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. I am expert in a number of psychotherapeutic approaches, including short-term solution-focused therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, family-systems therapy, and psychoanalytic therapy. I developed an evidence-based wellness program with a positive psychology emphasis at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital.

If anxiety and/or depression are getting in the way of a good life, I am in business to help you get on a better track. Perhaps a relationship is faltering or has recently ended and you are looking for extra support. I have particular interest and training in the following areas: Issues involving Relationship troubles and trauma, sexual orientation and gender expression (LGBTQ), Couples Counseling (EFT- Emotionally Focused Therapy), Mindfulness and Body/Emotion connections.

For over 20 years, Dr. Stephen Purcell has been helping adults, adolescents, couples and families improve their relationships; cope with stress, anxiety and depression; work through trauma, grief, and loss; overcome addictions; and navigate major life transitions like divorce and career change. Whether you are currently facing a crisis or simply want to improve the way you function in everyday life, Dr. Purcell has the training, skills and experience to assist you.

I provide culturally-responsive and affirming individual therapy to youth and adults. My therapeutic practice is based on radical honesty and collaboration, grounded in trauma-informed practices and mind-body connection. I center your voice and experiences to support healing, empowerment, and self-compassion. I'm also committed to social justice, and I recognize the many ways a person’s health and wellbeing can be impacted by social challenges. Together, we can work towards healing and self-determination.

Do you find yourself trapped? Doing things that you never wanted to do? Is your child in trouble, withdrawn, angry, disrespectful, using drugs? Are you depressed, considering divorce? These are some of the problems I’ve been able to successfully assist people in addressing and overcoming. I have 30+ years of experience working with individuals, families, groups and couples. I’ve worked in inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics and prison settings. I’ve worked with patient populations in substance abuse, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger management, sexual addiction, African-American and Hispanic populations

It’s through connection that we find meaning and discover we are not alone. I love working with clients who are curious and ready for positive change. I use Internal Family Systems, EMDR and other evidence-based tools to help my clients navigate their own process of self exploration, resolve trauma, and move in the direction of healing and growth. I believe therapy is an opportunity to explore what is unsaid or undiscovered in our experience. We can learn to hold space for the parts of ourselves most in need of our love and appreciation so we can truly live our most fulfilled life.

I believe people heal and grow through relationships and insight. I love working with curious clients who are interested in self-discovery. I use Internal Family Systems, Compassion-Based Mindfulness, and other evidence-based tools to help my clients navigate their process of self-exploration, resolve trauma, and accomplish their goals. I believe therapy is an opportunity to explore what is unsaid or undiscovered in our experience. I am a sex-positive therapist and I welcome members from LGBTQIA, Poly, and Kink communities.

I provide a safe environment and support as you make sense of the past and present, build your relationship with yourself, and move into the future. I help with self-esteem, anger, life transitions, addiction (individual and within the family/ relationship), relationship/ interpersonal problems, depression, anxiety, trauma, and LGBTQ-specific issues. I also understand that your story is more complex than can be communicated by a label.

You are not alone. You are not broken or defective. Help is available, and the first step is admitting to yourself that you need it. My ideal client is someone who is 25+, self-identifies with one or more marginalized groups, and wants to change their life/world by starting with themself. Common concerns I work with are: LGBTQIA+, low self-esteem/self-worth, post-traumatic stress, institutional/systemic abuse/barriers, loneliness, depression, anger, dysfunctional family of origin, adjustment difficulties, childhood abuse/neglect, identity development/exploration, anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulties connecting with others.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor working in private practice with Harvard Avenue Counseling Services, PLLC. For the past four years I have worked in a community setting assisting with mental health needs as a counselor. I have work experience with crisis intervention, individual, couple, and family therapy.  I also have work experience assisting with co-occurring disorders as well as severe and persistent mental illness.

Have you ever felt stuck in the same cycle over and over no matter how hard you try to break away? These type of patterns can often make it feel impossible to stay connected, be at peace, and thrive. I want you to know there is hope. Together we can explore how past patterns and trauma affect the present while building on your strengths to manifest a feeling of inner strength and freedom. I value creating an affirming therapeutic space where clients of LGBTQ+ identities, kink/sex-positive practices, and polyamorous relationships are safe and welcomed.

Talk therapy serves a valuable purpose by aiding your brain in processing challenging emotions during specific moments in your life and enabling introspection regarding associated thoughts. However, what if you find yourself trapped in the depressive, anxious, angry, or shameful mental state for so long that you have nothing new to explore? What if, despite recounting your traumatic experiences numerous times, your low energy, sadness, avoidance, anger, or impulsivity still persists? And what if the somatic reactions triggered by certain events are so intense and rapid that you are unable to employ sound judgment?

Whether you are depressed, anxious, angry, lost or feeling directionless I want to help you take the next step in finding hope, healing, purpose and joy. I use a strengths perspective to focus or explore what you are passionate about while nudging you to achieve the goals or dreams you desire. I incorporate experiential learning and processing to improve self-awareness during every session.

I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s student at Eastern Michigan University. I have experience working with individuals of a variety of ages, concerns, backgrounds. As a member of the LGBT community, I have a particular interest in working with clients of this demographic. I value this opportunity to help all those who seek mental health support. I view counseling as a partnership. We will work together to help you explore your mental health concerns, navigate coping processes, and foster resilience. Throughout, we can tailor the counseling plan to match your unique circumstances and preferences.