My name is Steven Ward and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been a therapist for over 10 years and an intermittent therapy participant for 30 years. I believe in therapy and its ability to help others become their best selves. I have known since the first time therapy made a significant difference in my life, that I wanted to devote my life, time, and energy to serving and helping others by becoming a therapist. I received an undergraduate degree from Spring Arbor in Management and Organizational Development and utilized this to work my way through my Masters in Counseling, also from Spring Arbor University. I have worked with adults at all stages of life, and with more than a decade of experience I have learned strong, evidence-based treatments that offer concrete help. I engage with the real struggles individuals face, including trauma, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, parenting difficulties, family conflicts and struggles, marital issues, and issues centered around substance use and addiction. My therapeutic approach is multidisciplinary and includes not only technique work, but cognitive, narrative, and game-based therapy interventions. My style works to create relationships that center on the importance of trust, kindness, and mutual learning. I believe that as a therapist, I have just as much to learn from you the client, as you would from me. I use this approach to create an environment where compassion, mutual learning, and a strong focus on what each client desires for themselves and their life is key. We can then create change without the work feeling burdensome or boring, but instead graceful and collaborative. As stated above, I have faith in the therapeutic process and will bring my considerable knowledge, talents, and compassion in helping you become the best self that you desire to be.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session we would not be engaging in a typical therapy session. Instead as we would need to get to know each other we would have to have a conversation regarding your previous experiences in therapy in terms of what worked for you and hasn't in the past. We would also find out what your goals are for therapy and what you were looking to achieve through the therapy process. We would also find out what your hobbies are how you cope with stress as a general rule already.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

My greatest strength as a provider is the incredible variety of people and conditions I have treated. Across the lifespan and individuals struggling with nearly every mental health condition identified, I am prepared to help you with whatever you were to come through my door with. There is nothing you can bring to me that I will not understand or meet with judgement, and there is nothing that you can tell me that will shock or upset me. My name is Steve and I am here to help.

About Steven Ward