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Discover how starting child therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As someone who values being understood, I hope to provide an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth....
About
As someone who values being understood, I hope to provide an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with 6 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals across the lifespan. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns. I value individualized treatment and strive to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered in their healing journey.
I earned my Master of Science in nursing from Drexel University. My approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, and I collaborate closely with clients to develop thoughtful treatment plans that align with their goals and lived experiences.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or seeking support, recovery and wellness are possible. I am here to partner with you in building coping skills, improving symptom management, and creating meaningful, lasting change. I encourage you to schedule an appointment to explore your treatment options.
Education and training
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Within every challenge lies an invitation to grow, and I'm honored to support you as you listen inward and move toward healing....
Within every challenge lies an invitation to grow, and I'm honored to support you as you listen inward and move toward healing.
Gayle Springer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over 3 years of experience in working with adults and seniors with mental health issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, grief, and anger. Gayle also has experience supporting individuals through life transitions such as career changes and divorce, stress, and relationship and family issues. She has supported underserved populations, including those who struggle with childhood trauma, substance use, recovery, and crisis intervention.
Gayle earned a Master's in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She utilizes a variety of clinical approaches that are targeted to clients’ needs, including supportive talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, mindfulness-based methods, and solutions-focused therapy.
Gayle meets clients where they're at, walking beside them with presence and care. You don't have to have it all figured out—if you're feeling lost, heavy, or are searching for something deeper, Gayle is willing to explore it together and help you find your way.
Cassie Watts is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan. She has a passion for helping teens, adults, and...
Cassie Watts is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan. She has a passion for helping teens, adults, and seniors to navigate the complications that arise from depression, grief, parenting, self-esteem difficulties, and life transitional issues.
Cassie received her Master's degree in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University. As a mental health professional, Cassie knows that assisting others with their mental health concerns and conditions requires a collaborative, personalized approach. That's why she's an exceptional choice for individuals who are looking to transition from one stage of life to another.
With Cassie's assistance, you can create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your concerns and helps you grow as an individual. Start moving forward—book a session with Cassie today.
As a new mother, I understand how life transitions can feel vulnerable and challenging. Together, we can navigate whatever change ...
As a new mother, I understand how life transitions can feel vulnerable and challenging. Together, we can navigate whatever change you may be going through. Much of our life is outside of our control, but I will help you identify your strengths, feel heard, and be validated because you matter.
Vauwn Hinton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience working with children, adults, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, postpartum/women's issues, parenting challenges/development, attachment, and behavioral concerns. She is passionate about working with children/adolescents, parents, and pregnant and postpartum women navigating life transitions and mental health concerns.
Vauwn earned a Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She has experience using mindfulness-based practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, infant-parent psychotherapy, supportive counseling, and child-centered play.
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but Vauwn believes each client deserves validation, connection, and hope for a better tomorrow. She views clients as experts in their lives and works alongside them to build a mental health journey that supports their goals and fosters growth.
I know how overwhelming life can feel at times, and my goal is to help you find calm and clarity in the chaos....
I know how overwhelming life can feel at times, and my goal is to help you find calm and clarity in the chaos.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 4 years of experience and specialized training in trauma, autism, anxiety, and anger management. I work with clients who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or misunderstood, helping them build resilience, manage emotions, improve relationships, and create balance. I draw on evidence-based practices and a compassionate approach to guide clients in setting meaningful goals, developing coping skills, and moving toward lasting positive change.
I earned a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Baruch College, where I also trained at a neuropsychological clinic. I have received training in cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, and motivational interviewing, allowing me to tailor care to each client.
I understand that feeling anxious, stuck, or misunderstood can be exhausting. I offer a supportive space where you will feel heard and valued. With experience in trauma, anxiety, autism, and anger, I walk alongside clients as they work toward healing, clarity, and hope for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child therapy at Thriveworks Grand Rapids .
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Grand Rapids , MI have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Child therapy is a type of therapy meant for clients within a specific age group, while play therapy is an approach to therapy that helps children with self-expression and stress relief, among others. Play therapy is a technique that is often used in child therapy to help children express what’s running through their minds when they do not have the words to express their thoughts and emotions. It can get children to express what’s wrong, what might be causing unwanted behaviors, or what they might need in a way that is accessible to them so that therapists can then work to treat the issue.
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Grand Rapids , MI is one of the best types of therapy for children. However, it can be administered in child therapy sessions in a variety of ways that are more accessible to young minds, such as play therapy.
Child therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of child therapy depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child therapy sessions will last for several months.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
When it comes to our children’s well-being and happiness, there are few measures that we won’t take. We might as well paint our vehicles yellow and throw a “taxi” sign on the roof with all the events and activities we spend our days shuttling them to: sports practice, school functions, birthday parties, trips to the park or a museum — you name it.
One thing we can forget to do, though, is to consider what it takes to establish a firm basis of emotional health that they can grow from for the rest of their lives. At Thriveworks Grand Rapids Child Therapy, we believe that children, just like adults, can benefit from meeting with a mental health professional, and so we’re here to offer our services to individuals of all ages.
Even if your child or children appear relatively happy-to-lucky, there is a lot that a counselor can help them to understand and explore that will equip them for present and future challenges.
Your child can benefit from meeting with a skilled, professional for many reasons. Maybe a teacher or school guidance counselor pointed out some potential concerns with your son or daughter. Perhaps you’ve spotted some concerns of your own, such as increased moodiness, detachment or a loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities, and you’re considering what a counselor could do for your young one. While it may be difficult to face these issues, know that Thriveworks Grand Rapids Child Therapy is here for you and your child, and the sooner your son or daughter begins to confront whatever is going on, the better.
It’s important that we mention that child therapy isn’t only for healing past and present emotional wounds. It’s also a way to help them experience higher levels of personal understanding and compassion, which leads to a better understanding of others — empathy.
In other words, bringing your son or daughter to child therapy makes the world a better place. (Yes, we really do believe that.)
Child therapy techniques include:
Just like no two children are truly identical (even when they’re twins), no two therapy plans are exactly the same. We will tailor our methods to suit the personality and needs of your son or daughter, to make sure your son or daughter leaves each session with a rejuvenated sense of self-worth and a more positive life outlook.
Not only do we accept many major insurance providers, but we answer the phone when you call and will schedule the first appointment right away, often for this week, to make sure your child is given the care they need right when they need it.
Thriveworks is a growing national community that believes everyone can change for the better with the help of a caring professional — which is why we only work with the best in the industry. Our clinicians are ready to use their expert knowledge and experience to helping your son or daughter live a happy, fulfilled life.
Call us today at 616-425-2176 or click the button below to learn more about our child therapy practice!
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Grand Rapids is located off of Kenmoor Ave SE in the same building as the Women's Health Collective and Crossmark.
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