LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy Services Program Application

Mickey discovered her passion for working in the mental health field in college when she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and also minored in Women and Gender Studies. Learning about intersecting factors, including gender and sexual identity, that impact psychological functioning has informed her professional interest in serving LGBTQ+ youth. After graduating, she worked for almost four years as a residential counselor with youth experiencing acute behavioral health crises, where she led skill-based groups and implemented behavioral interventions.

From this work, Mickey developed an interest in preventive mental health care, so that youth and families feel they have the support and resources needed before a crisis arises. Now, she is a student at the University of Michigan working towards her master’s in Social Work and completing my practicum at Therapyology, a private practice located in West Bloomfield, MI.

From her early years as a camp counselor to leading groups for teens in clinical practice, Brooke’s mission is to empower the next generation to lead a more valued life. Growing up in today’s world isn’t easy! As a licensed psychotherapist and the owner of Therapyology, a private practice located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, she helps children, teens, and families develop healthy skills to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This form of evidence-based practice, known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), helps to teach the next generation how to cope better with life’s stressors – ultimately reducing anxiety! With over 14 years of clinical experience in the field of mental health, Brooke’s practice is rooted in creating a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and compassion. She believes it is her calling to support kids and their families.

Brooke received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts (AM) degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. After ten years of practice, she completed a Clinical Fellowship in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy from the University of Chicago. Brooke also serves as part-time faculty at Wayne State University School of Social Work

Ashley believes therapy is an important tool to navigate the challenges throughout our lives. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. Ashley works with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families struggling with a wide variety of challenges. She experience preparing families for the adoption journey, as well as working with families and children post-adoption. Ashley has been trained as a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner that specializes in supporting foster and adoptive families heal trauma through building trusting relationships. She has traveled to countries around the world adapting parenting skills to best meet the needs of individual families. Additionally, she has experience working with individuals, families, and caregivers navigating chronic illness diagnoses. Ashley counsels caregivers and families through anticipatory grief as well as after the loss of a loved one. Other areas of experience include trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Ashley wants to support clients in a way that is most comfortable for them whether that be in person or through telehealth. She believes in partnering with her clients to build a trusting relationship where individuals and families can explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. She believes that every individual and family can benefit from therapy throughout their lives.

Through her social work practice, Lexie’s goal is to help adolescents feel supported, heard, and a little less alone as they overcome obstacles. She is passionate about helping kids and teens find their ground and feel comfortable in their own skin. Lexie specializes in working with adolescents, focusing on self-esteem building and addressing body image issues.

Her passion for working with kids and teens began many years ago when she was a counselor and supervisor at overnight camp. Working at camp is where Lexie learned that each child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential when they are given the tools that help meet their emotional and behavioral needs. This experience ultimately leads me to her career in social work!

Kevin’s hope for each client he sees is that they gain a better understanding of themselves and in turn a better understanding of the world around them. As a therapist, his role is to provide a confidential and safe environment in which clients experience empathy, authenticity, and respect. He provide therapy services for teens and adults, meeting with clients in a one-on-one setting.

Kevin has experience working with clients who have struggled with a variety of personal concerns, such as working through relationship problems or family stress, feelings of purposelessness, healing from traumatic experiences, sexual addictions, grappling with negative experiences from a religious community, or struggling with other mental health concerns.

Amy practices an active and interpersonal approach to therapy, incorporating mindfulness, popular culture, art, music, role playing games and technological aspects to modify her treatment on an individualized basis to best meet the needs of her clients. She works with clients of all ages, primarily working with children and young adults and is a Registered Play Therapist. She meets people where they are in their journey and helps walk with them. Amy strives to create a genuinely warm therapeutic environment based upon empathy, resiliency and a relatable atmosphere to help normalize mental health services.

Amy practices a gender affirmative therapeutic approach and focuses on working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and has specifically worked with gender expansive youth for many years. She has held full membership with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health since 2017 and is a WPATH Certified Transgender Health Provider.

Nick specializes in Gender, Transgender, Intersex, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Asexual identity working with individuals and their loved ones who seek support in navigating challenges presented. He works with clients dealing with Bullying and Oppression, Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation. He utilizes a combination of Strengths-Based Perspective and Mindfulness Based Approach during Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). He follows the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and NASW Code of Ethics. He has completed Level 1 of WPATH certification. He provides clients with a safe-space to come-out to the people who are close to them; providing assistance and guidance with this process.

His goals as a Clinical Social Worker are improving others’ lives and helping them overcome the challenges associated with their sexual orientation or gender identity. He strives to guide clients through one of the most critical times of their life. He writes Letters for Hormone Replacement Therapy & Gender Confirmation Surgeries.

His role as a Social Worker and Gender Therapist is to help clients find the direction and resources they desire to reach self-sufficiency, so they can reach their true potential. He consults schools and other professionals to educate and supervise their work with gender non-conforming individuals.