Thornapple Counseling

For over a decade I have been providing mental health services to a variety of people at all different stages of life.  The one thing that is very apparent to me, and therefore is my passion, is that everyone goes through life transitions. It doesn’t matter who you are, life happens.  Whether you are getting married, going through a job change, or getting divorced, your life is impacted.  You might be expanding your family by the birth of a child or through adoption, or you may be forced to relocate to a new place. Maybe you are finding your friends are all at a different stage of life and you are feeling left behind, or you just don’t know who you are anymore. Whatever the circumstances, changes big or small, good or bad, come with adjustment and can lead to mental health struggles.   I believe no one should have to go through these changes alone.

I provide a confidential person to help you in your time of change without judgement as sometimes those closest to us can’t help during this time.  They may be impacted as well and on their own journey, or, they just “don’t get it.” People often feel shame in their struggles, but I can tell you that you are not alone.  No one has control over every circumstance, but I can help you find ways to deal with what life throws at you.

Through a variety of therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Therapy, Systemic Theory, and trauma informed approaches, I will help you navigate your present circumstances. Together, we will look at life patterns and thought processes to identify where you are trapped and create goals based on you, as a unique individual.

Before starting Thornapple Counseling in 2014 Tara worked with adults, children, and families for over 10 years. Tara attended graduate school at Grand Valley State University and received her Master’s degree in Social Work. Since graduating she has continued her education completing multiple training programs including training and national certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she has extensive training and experience in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through the EMDR institute. She is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and has hundreds of training hours in a variety of important areas including attachment, motivational interviewing, mindfulness,cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), substance abuse and addiction. Tara is passionate about the human brain, how it works, how it heals, and how to help you optimize your brain’s functioning. Because of this she is a life long learner who continually looks for new and innovative ways to help her clients reach their goals. Tara truly loves what she does and is grateful for each opportunity she has to provide her clients with hope and treatment designed to help them meet their goals. 
 
Throughout the years Tara has treated many clients who have experienced abuse, neglect, sexual assault, loss of a loved one, or some other traumatic event. Often these clients come in thinking they are “crazy” when really what they are experiencing are common reactions to a traumatic event.  Tara is passionate about helping clients understand the “why” behind the way you think, act, or feel and how you can make changes to improve your quality of life. Many times clients who have  been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have a reduction in PTSD related symptoms during the course of treatment. 
 
Sometimes clients come in and they haven’t experienced a traumatic event but feel lost, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed or worthless. They may be abusing drugs or alcohol or have some other addiction – shopping, gambling, the internet, etc.  Tara has worked with people of all ages to help them overcome these obstacles and live a happier, more fulfilled life. She is comfortable using a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities and takes a positive, strengths-based approach, designing treatment to meet the individual needs of every client she sees. 
Deb is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist working in the Caledonia Thornapple Counseling offices. Her areas of interest include building resilience in youth, life transitions, anxiety, depression, parenting and families. In addition to individual clients, Deb runs art therapy groups, designed to build resilience in youth, and will develop art therapy groups to address specific concerns within a community. Deb works in a holistic way, offering a combination of traditional talk psychotherapy and art therapy methodologies. Using a Humanistic approach these provide the structure for growth in personal insight, values and self awareness. Deb’s intention is to lead and provide support as one journeys through a healing process. Kindness and compassion are at the heart of her work.

Education:

M.A. in Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy from Wayne State University

Ted provides specialized mental health services to clients of all backgrounds and is licensed to work with couples and families as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). He bases his counseling philosophy on Attachment Theory, that people are wired for connection and their relationships shape the story of their lives. His hope is to help clients accomplish their goals utilizing evidence-based practices to maximize success in and outside of session in a way that is consistent with their values and beliefs. Many mental health professionals provide services to couples and families; MFTs guarantee the required education and experience to effectively deal with issues involving multiple people.

Ted received his Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Western Michigan University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Learn more about Ted at www.wohlfordcounseling.com

Counseling is a process that can involve both risk and benefits. Counseling can lead to healing and transformation that can include reducing distress, reigniting passion, improving relationships, coping with pain, managing compulsive behaviors, and discovering insight to meaning and purpose. Change is challenging, and there are no guarantees for outcome; however, investing in oneself is a great path towards happiness.

Issues:

Anger, Anxiety, Career Development, Couples Counseling, Depression, Divorce/Separation, Family Counseling, Grief and Loss, Intimacy and Relationships, Marriage Counseling, Men’s Issues, Premarital Counseling, Parenting, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stress Management/Coping, Video Game and Internet Obsessions

Special Services:

Couples Counseling: What do people seek in a romantic relationship? A secure bond that builds an intimate partnership where vulnerabilities can be shared, validated, and supported. Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Ted helps couples identify their traps, disrupt negative behavioral cycles, and repair attachment wounds with partners, creating deep trust and intimacy. Decades of research confirms that EFT is one of the most effective approaches to creating satisfying, long-term change with couples.

Men’s Issues: There are many conflicting ideas of what it means to be a man. Often these ideas exaggerate certain characteristics at the expense of relational identities such as being a nurturing father, a loving spouse, and an emotionally connected, caring friend. These issues are dear to Ted, as he has witnessed and experienced the repercussions of distorted identity that Randy Flood and Charlie Donaldson have identified as Mascupathy. Distortions can create issues with sexuality, anger, vocational disappointment, and loss of connection. The good news is that through counseling, men can reclaim their story and rediscover what it means to be emotionally invested and connected with others.

Sexuality: Often sexual concerns can impact relationships with partners. This can lead to embarrassment, sexual dissatisfaction, and withdrawal. Ted helps individuals explore these concerns in a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment.

 

Contact

Phone: (616) 208-4740