Hello! I’m Marie (she/her)
The Empowered Path To Finding YOU
I'm Marie, a licensed therapist who has worked with a diverse range of individuals for over 15 years. I've worked with people from all walks of life to shed self-limiting beliefs and unhealthy patterns while honoring their unique backgrounds. My framework comes from a decolonized approach to mental health (see more below).
I blend therapy with dark humor, sarcasm, lightheartedness, swearing (at times), as well as relatable examples to provide moments of laughter and lightness. My perspectives come with warmth and an unwavering belief in your own capacity for change.
I'm not the therapist for everyone, and that's OK. If you want someone who passively listens without disrupting patterns, we may not be an ideal fit. My role is to challenge you to explore your depths, and embrace this wildly beautiful and hard human journey.
If you're ready to reject harsh self-judgment and step into radical self-acceptance...if you want to live wholeheartedly with courage and vulnerability - then I'm here to unite with you in this work.
ABOUT ME:
I’ve grown up in the Grand Rapids area since I was 8-years old and my family is from all over the United States. I’ve traveled a lot within and outside of the States, interacting and experiencing wonderfully diverse people and places.
I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 8 and later discovered a learning disability. It’s been a long journey discovering how my own brain works and learns, and an honor to help others do the same.
I went for my Masters degree in 2013 after working for 6+ years with the homeless, kids, adults in residential mental health treatment, and and adults in neurobehavioral rehab in adult foster care homes. Through previous experiences, I recognized my intense desire to help people see and value themselves and not define themselves by their past or their challenges.
I completed my Masters in 2016 and have spent the majority of my career specializing in trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, and adults with emotionally unavailable parents. I have been featured on 5 podcasts regarding my work helping people heal after growing up with an emotionally unavailable parent, and I have been published in Authority Magazine on the roots of “people-pleasing.”
I am divorced and re-married and have a teenage step-son and preschooler. We love to go camping and bike riding together in the warm months and look forward to Wheatland Music Festival in Remis, MI at the beginning of September.
Ways I Work To Decolonize My Therapy Practice & Myself
Honoring Whole Identities
In my practice, I understand decolonizing therapy as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. I actively work to create a healing space that honors your whole self—including cultural identities, ancestral wisdom, and lived experiences that traditional therapeutic approaches might overlook.
Centering Indigenous Wisdom
My commitment to decolonizing therapy means recognizing that healing doesn't require external validation or permission. I believe we each carry within us the solutions for our own growth and transformation, often rooted in cultural knowledge that has sustained our communities for generations.
Continuous Learning & Self-Reflection
This process involves ongoing self-examination and education. I regularly examine my own biases, privileges, and the ways Western psychological frameworks may limit understanding of diverse experiences. I engage with non-Eurocentric healing traditions and literature while acknowledging the limitations of conventional mental health systems.
Creating Authentic Therapeutic Space
In our sessions, I create space where your cultural strengths are centered, not pathologized. I practice appropriate self-disclosure to foster genuine connection and challenge the artificial professional distance that can reinforce power dynamics. I understand how systemic oppression manifests as individual mental health challenges and honor resilience strategies that have helped you survive.
Community-Informed Practice
My approach is shaped not only by formal education but by relationships with mentors, colleagues, clients, and community members who have generously shared their wisdom. I remain committed to the lifelong process of unlearning harmful paradigms while embracing diverse ways of healing that honor your cultural heritage and inherent wisdom.
Meet Marie, Your Trauma-Informed Therapist
Degrees
Bachelors in International Development and Environmental Studies (2012)
Masters of Social Work, Western Michigan University (2016)
Certifications & Extra Credentials
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD Provider
Certified Brainspotting Practitioner + Digging Roots Training (Developmental Trauma)
In process of HeartMath Certification
Experiences
15+ years of working with the most complex and underserved individuals
Working with substance use disorders, including medication assisted treatment (suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol etc.)
Working with systemically marginalized individuals
Working with Trauma, Childhood & Developmental Trauma, PTSD & Complex PTSD
Working with LGBTQ+ individuals, including those on hormone therapy
Working with women in higher education and STEM fields
Lived and traveled internationally with cross-cultural experiences and exposure
