Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Portage, MI

"My passion is to help people feel heard and empowered to live their best lives. "

Rhoda Hacker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20+ years of experience. She works with diverse populations, including active duty and veteran service members. Personal, cultural, and social conditions including negative life events (big and small) can lead to behaviors or characteristics which are not helpful. Rhoda works with those having difficulty adjusting to life transitions and those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, childhood abuse, combat, and other traumas. These experiences can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, anger, and aggression in relationships. Rhoda specializes in addressing these conditions.

By partnering with Rhoda, you will gain the confidence and tools to live your best life. Rhoda has an MSW degree from Grand Valley State University and is licensed in Michigan and Texas. She believes that understanding ourselves non-judgmentally and compassionately allows us to make changes to live our best lives. Rhoda's approach is trauma-informed and patient-led using multiple therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, Gottman approach to couples counseling, and solution-focused therapies.

We all experience difficult situations and may have learned negative coping tools which interfere with our happiness and success. Change happens when we feel heard and supported, which leads to self-understanding and compassion. Rhoda uses a trauma-informed approach that empowers you to make informed choices in your journey to live your best life. Schedule an appointment today to begin your self-exploration to live your best life!

I graduated from Western Michigan University with a Masters in Couples, Marriage, and family Therapy. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LLMFT). Life is full of transitions and challenges and counseling is way to help navigate your way through these difficult times in order to bring healing and growth. I have worked with a diversity of men and women, couples, and families in various settings. My specialties include but are not limited to working with people in recovery, with relationship problems, pre-marital, anxiety, and depression. I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy and that therapy is a process. I use and integrative approach to therapy that includes techniques and theories based on individual needs and desired outcomes. My desire is to provide a non-judgmental, empathetic, and warm environment that gives hope, and empowerment to reach your goals. I have been married for 20 years and have four children and two grandchildren.

"As a female Veteran who has worked in mental health over 13 years, I understand the vast spectrum of life experiences that challenge clients."

Meet Michelle Brown, a seasoned Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner passionate about mental health and delving into the rich tapestry of human experiences across diverse cultures. With 13 years of navigating the complexities of anxiety, depression, trauma, and neurodiversity, Michelle is like a seasoned explorer in the realms of the mind. Trauma, she knows, is a common thread that weaves through many lives. It's this understanding that fuels her specialization in trauma therapy, honed through her own journey in a military family and her heartfelt work with veterans and those facing life's toughest challenges.

With a Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University, Michelle blends her therapeutic and holistic care background with medication management. Her arsenal of treatment modalities includes everything from cognitive behavioral therapy to solution-focused therapy and motivational interviewing, offering her clients a comprehensive toolkit for healing.

In Michelle's world, therapy isn't a one-way street; it's a collaborative journey where client and practitioner work hand-in-hand to unravel the mysteries that stand in the way of growth and fulfillment. With her guidance, clients embark on a voyage of self-discovery, charting a course toward a brighter, more empowered future.

"As the wife of a United States Marine and the daughter of parents who fostered teenage girls, I am able to understand the struggles of trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, and self-doubt."

Heather Crampton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with more than 7 years of experience working with clients of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and ethnicities in various settings. Her specialties include but are not limited to all anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, working with anxious youth and positive youth development, and helping veterans and others who suffer from PTSD.

Heather graduated from Western Michigan University with a Master's in Counselor Education-Clinical Mental Health. She is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and utilizes various other types of therapies that are tailored to the client’s needs.

Heather's passion is to help others who are struggling with different aspects of their lives. She considers it a privilege to be a part of someone's journey. She enjoys facilitating change in clients toward positive and healthy solutions. Heather works to provide clients with tailored treatment plans that can be integrated into their daily lives.

"My goal is meet you with compassion and understanding while helping you to challenge negative thinking and behavior. "

Haili Gabris is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 6 years of professional experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety, selective mutism, and phobias. She has also worked with depression and trauma, which often presents themselves with other disorders. 

Haili graduated from Western Michigan University, earning her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. She utilizes an integrative approach, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy (ET), in order to create an individualized treatment plan for each client.

Her goal as a counselor is to build a positive relationship with her clients in order to help them to feel supported and encouraged. Haili believes that the process of therapy is one of collaboration, encouragement, and challenge. She is passionate about helping clients identify, refute, and change their negative thoughts in order to develop a positive attitude and adaptive behaviors.

"I am here to provide mental health therapy to everyone that wants it."

Gabriel Kangas is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience in mental health. He specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, children, and adolescents. He knows that every client is different—that's why his responses and approaches to therapy are diverse.

Gabe completed his Master's degree at Central Michigan University, and utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and solutions-focused therapy (SFT). His personal theoretical foundation is not limited to one approach and Gabe believes it is necessary for counselors to be adaptive.

We all go through different circumstances in life. Gabe is confident that he would be able to support you on your journey to gain new perspectives and techniques that would allow you to cope with whatever you may be struggling with. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with him today.

"Therapy should be an individual, personal experience. I am here to listen, support, and work with you toward healing and positive change."

Nathan Linden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience providing mental health support to individuals and families. He works with a diverse range of clients, including adults, adolescents, and seniors facing mental health challenges, chronic illnesses, and life transitions. Nathan’s focus includes supporting individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management, as well as those navigating grief, relationship issues, and significant life changes. He prioritizes active listening to fully understand client needs and concerns, creating a safe space where they feel heard and valued.

Nathan earned his Master’s in Social Work from Andrews University. Through a compassionate, client-centered approach, he uses cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused brief therapy to help others build resilience, gain clarity, and move toward positive, lasting change.

Nathan seeks to make a positive impact by ensuring all his clients receive personalized, effective support. Each session is tailored to the individual, finding practical ways to support growth. Nathan will be a partner on your journey, someone who understands that healing and growth look different for everyone and that each person deserves human connection.

"As unique and amazing human beings, we all experience love, loss, laughter, trauma, and so much more. Our responsibility to ourselves is to uphold and protect our values with tender love, care, awareness, purpose, and empowerment. Thank you for trusting me to guide you."

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 24 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families work through challenges and strengthen their emotional well-being. I specialize in supporting clients through life transitions, relationship difficulties, anxiety, and self-discovery, using an integrative and compassionate approach tailored to each person’s unique journey. I am licensed in both California and Michigan, and I have provided counseling and psychological services in various capacities since 2002.

I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. My approach integrates cognitive, emotional, and spiritual growth to foster greater awareness and self-connection.

Through identifying unhelpful thought patterns, exploring emotional responses, and developing new coping and problem-solving skills, you can expect to gain more clarity, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. I look forward to helping you cultivate insight, balance, and a deeper relationship with yourself and others.