Welcome to The Wright Counseling. TWC opened to provide an opportunity to break mental health stigma with compassion. A little about me, I am a married mother of two. My oldest is in college and my youngest is in seventh grade and my husband and I have been together 19 years. I am thankful every day for my ability to connect with others, enjoy spending time with friends and family and am always working towards personal growth.
Perspective is very important. I do utilize evidence-based practices - such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness and Behavior Modification. My goal is always to meet my clients where they are to help them utilize their strengths to achieve their goals. Your perspective is your own, and this changes throughout our lives. Many times, it takes a blend of "theory" to really implement change.
I am a licensed professional counselor, limited licensed psychologist, national certified counselor and approved clinical supervisor. I graduated in 2008 with my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. In 2014, I completed a Graduate Certificate Program in Applied Behavior Analysis through Wayne State University.
I began my career in Kalamazoo, MI providing intensive home-based therapy for families of children with severe emotional disturbances, utilizing family counseling and crisis intervention. After deciding to move home to the Detroit area, I have had the opportunity to provide traditional outpatient psychotherapy to children and adolescents, as well as behavioral consultation and parent training. I am honored to supervise up and coming clinicians, provide trainings to the community, and promote wellness, through workshops and community events
I am trained in EMDR.
Allie completed her graduate studies at Oakland University in 2017 and has been working in the mental health profession since 2012. She began her career working at an early intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That experience brought her awareness of the need for counseling supports for the family members and caregivers of children with special needs. Allie has created and lead mindful mediation groups to combat burnout and compassion fatigue for professionals in the field. She also held a group speaking to overall wellness to assist clients to live the best quality of life. Within her wellness programing she covers mindful eating habits, life balance, self-compassion, boundaries, stress reduction and more.
Outside of ASD and stress management, her specialties include anxiety, anger management, parenting supports, grief/loss, life adjustment and career counseling services. Using interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Approaches, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Allie strives to create an environment that is comfortable, safe and non-judgmental for all her clients. Her focus is working with adults and couples.
Allie is trained in EMDR.
Amanda graduated from Oakland University with a dual master’s degree in clinical mental health and school counseling.
Amanda has worked in behavioral therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which further instilled her desire to work with adolescents and their families.
Outside of the clinical field, Amanda has worked in the Farmington School district, at the middle and high school level, assisting students in grades 6-12 during the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating novel virtual learning platforms. She has experience counseling teens and adolescents with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation and attention deficit disorders.
Amanda’s drive to work with adolescents and families stems from her desire to break the stigma surrounding mental health and mental health treatments.
Outside of counseling Amanda has two cats, a lake house, and is married to a behavioral therapist. She used to be a gymnast and an acrobat and enjoys exploring the connection between physical and mental health.
Roxanne graduated from Western Michigan University in 2009 with a master’s degree in Community Counseling.
While working towards her master’s degree, Roxanne was employed at a Center Based school in Kalamazoo. She worked in a classroom with young children of various physical, cognitive and developmental disability levels. This experience provided Roxanne with an understanding regarding the numerous barriers some families face and the support a family could use as they navigate several different systems of care.
Once Roxanne finished her master’s degree, she worked with children and families in the child welfare system. This experience provided Roxanne with a wealth of information regarding how resilient children and families can be when they are empowered to strengthen their abilities to create lasting change. Roxanne then began working to provide comprehensive, intensive home-based treatment for the entire family, with a child with a severe emotional disturbance and multiple service needs. The program offers a variety of treatment services, such as family, individual, couples counseling, as well as parent support and crisis interventions to promote healthy family functioning, support and preserve families, and to reduce the need for out of home placements.
Roxanne is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which aims to help children and adolescents who have experienced one or more traumatic experiences. Roxanne specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, self-esteem, grief/loss, anger management, family issues, parenting support, and life adjustments.
She enjoys doing individual, or family therapy. She works with children, adolescents, teenagers and adults, as well as parent support and couples therapy. Roxanne’s goal is providing a supportive, safe, and non-judgement place for all her clients, to help them reach their goals.
Roxanne is TF-CBT Certified, EMDR Trained & an
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Lisa graduated from Wayne State in 1992 with master’s degree in Social Work. She has a certificate in Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Care from the University of Michigan which she received in May, 2021. She began her career in a medical setting assisting families to cope with illnesses and injuries. In 2015, she moved into a more specific medical setting working with children and families where there was abuse and neglect present in addition to adjustment to illnesses and injuries.
She provides therapy services to children ages 6 and older, adolescents and families who are struggling to cope with various stressful events within their family and community. This includes trauma, grief, loss, abuse, neglect, depression, anxiety, adjustment to illness, general life changes, and post-partum depression or adjustment.
Lisa uses Person Focused Therapy. She meets her clients and families where they are at and uses interventions that will best meet their needs to promote healthy coping skills to meet their challenges. Therapy is fluid and has to change as the client’s needs change. Lisa provides a supportive and non-judgmental setting for clients to confront their issues and come to terms with their past and present so that they can move into their future
Natalie completed her graduate studies at Wayne State University in clinical mental health counseling. She began her career in the mental health field in 2013 working at an early intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). That experience brought her an eagerness to provide counseling support for the family members and children. Natalie believes therapy is a personal, unique, and intimate experience. Finding the right therapist is essential in your healing journey and she is here to help with that process. Natalie has experience assisting individuals struggling with adjustment difficulties, PTSD, grief, and personality disorders, as well as depression and anxiety. Natalie will work hard to ensure a safe and comfortable space for your individual needs while working side-by-side together to ensure your success. We all live our valid, personal truths, and I honor those in my clients
Sarah graduated in 2013 with a Master’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Prior to graduating, she worked extensively with severely emotionally impaired at-risk youth/teens for 15 years, building emotional skills and setting goals to empower them in identifying healthy lifestyle choices and to develop positive decision-making skills.
Sarah spent time helping severely impaired adults in the specialized adult foster care setting overseeing their well-being and managing their care to assure they were able to maintain their independence. Although Sarah enjoyed this work, she soon had an opportunity to return to her first specialty and true passion, working with severely emotionally impaired kids and their families. This work focused on their comprehensive needs and provided intensive home-based services and crisis intervention to the most mentally ill and behaviorally challenged families in Kalamazoo County. As a home-based therapist, Sarah was able to provide individual, family, and couples therapy as well as parenting support to develop personalized goals and build on strengths to promote healthy family functioning. This became Sarah’s passion based on her belief that through hard work and motivation, any family and/or individual is able to make changes allowing them to have a healthier and more meaningful life. Her approach is to meet each family or individual where they are and to educate, guide, and encourage them in their journey towards positive change. Throughout Sarah’s twenty-year career, she has gained extensive experience working with individuals and families and specializes in PTSD, ADHD, depression, mood disorders, grief/loss, significant life adjustments, anxiety, anger management issues, family conflicts, and parenting support.
While working with Sarah you will be in a safe and supportive environment that is judgement free. Sarah utilizes evidence-based practices including CBT, DBT, behavioral psychology, and is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Sarah is EMDR trained.
Richard has a Ph.D. in counseling from Oakland University, and a J.D. (law degree) from the University of San Diego. Richard is board certified as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC). Richard works both as a therapist and maintains a separate legal practice for mental-health law. Richard has practiced in settings focusing on OCD, anxiety, and depression. Having a research background, Richard is competent in assessment and treatment of ADHD in adults and children. Couples counseling is also a passion and therapy focus. Richard's research work is ongoing through consulting services he provides. Richard is also an LLPC counseling supervisor.
Richard utilizes several evidenced based approaches to therapy including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Structural Family Therapy and Narrative Therapy. Richard meets his clients where they are to align with their best self. He believes in helping people reach their goals through compassionate listening, helping clients build healthy relationships and challenge insecurities.
Richard is a Clinical Supervisor.
Barb graduated in 2007 with her master’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University. Prior to obtaining this degree, she worked with adolescents in a short-term shelter environment assisting them with their daily needs, supporting them in obtaining positive life skills and navigating relationship struggles with their families or with fellow residents. Upon graduation she accepted a position at a local non-profit agency assisting children and young adults diagnosed with chronic mental illnesses. Following this Barb began working full time in a local crisis program for children and adolescents. She enjoyed this new role as she focused on supporting them and their families with de-escalation, parent support, links to local resources, as well as assessment and referrals to urgent psychiatric care and psychiatric placements.
Currently Barb continues to work as a home-based therapist helping families who have a child or children diagnosed with a chronic mental illness. She provides family, individual and couples therapy as well crisis interventions. Working closely with schools as well as other various community programs was helpful in providing comprehensive support for these struggling families.
Barb believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is a necessity if therapy is to be successful. She builds this relationship by following her client’s lead in treatment and providing compassion, honesty and a focus on strengths while addressing the goals of her clients. She celebrates successes and supports a client’s path to better mental health using CBT, DBT and behavioral therapy techniques. Currently she is working on certification in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and uses this technique to assist children with one or more traumatic experiences lessen the aftereffects of their trauma(s). Barb has experience working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, ODD, self-esteem issues, anger management, relationship struggles, parenting support suicidal ideation, self-harm, bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Lilia is currently completing her Counseling Psychology Master's degree at Wayne State University with expected graduation in December 2022. Her interest in psychology began in high school while she was working at a Montessori preschool as an assistant. This led to her wanting to focus on working with children and adolescents primarily in the therapeutic setting. Lilia focuses on creating a space where individuals feel comfortable, and able to get as much out of therapy as they can. Outside of counseling, Lilia has been married since 2019, has two dogs, and spends time baking and crafting.
Mark graduated from Capella University with Master's in Psychology degree with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis and graduated from Central Michigan University with Bachelor’s in Psychology. Mark has worked in the ABA field for 9 years in both direct therapy and supervisory roles for children/adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. During this time, Mark has worked with clients ranging from ages 2-18 as well as providing assistance, developing goals for families and providing parent and family support. My goal is to offer more direct support for families struggling with mental health concerns, life changes and daily stressors and to transform current habits, routines and behaviors into a more connected home environment.
Outside of work, Mark is married with 7-month old daughter, 2 cats and his passions include soccer, spending time with family and travelling.
Judi is a school psychologist with over 15 years of experience in elementary, middle and high
school settings. She has supported students who have experienced challenges in the school
environment due to learning, social or behavioral issues. Judi has a particular interest in literacy
development and dyslexia identification and intervention. She is skilled in cognitive and
academic assessments and in designing effective interventions. She is also experienced with
special education law and requirements. She can assist families in navigating this arena as a
consultant.
Judi received her specialist degree in school psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy in
2007 and attended Michigan State University for an undergraduate degree in psychology. Prior
to becoming a school psychologist, Judi was a registered nurse with a specialty in critical care.
She is also a wife, mother to three adult sons and a passionate dog owner. She loves tennis,
horseback riding and gardening.
The elephant represents strength, wisdom and confidence across cultures. To many, the elephant represents good luck, empathy and nurturing. They are complex creatures and are known to be able to see their own reflection in the mirror. Self recognition is a sign of higher order thinking and self awareness. They have the ability to recognize their current surroundings, adapt and shape their environment to meet their needs. Elephants are family-oriented and understand how to take care of each other, how to move on when necessary and how to take care and respect their environment.
Books and Resources
https://www.juliacookonline.com/
http://www.worrywoos.com/wooshop.html
School resources
Certification & Licensing Boards
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/
If you are hosting one of our parent support or wellness groups, please utilize online payments to streamline your gathering. Online payments help alleviate the need to spend time that is dedicated to support and education. Congratulation on being a part of breaking stigma!