New to Grow
Hello, I’m A.J., a Licensed Master Level Social Worker from the U.P. of Michigan. Faith, Family, and Fellowship are things that I strive to live for daily. My faith is very important to me. I am involved in Men’s Ministry inside and outside of my church. Haggai 2:9 is a verse that is close to my family's heart: “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty, in this place I will grant peace, declares the Lord Almighty.” My goal and prayer is that I can help individuals move into a better place than they were when therapy first began. My wife and I have three boys and one grandson. Our family enjoys spending time outside on our 20-acre property “Creation Acres” or getting away camping. My boys and I enjoy spending time in the woods or on the lake. I graduated from Ferris State University in 2018 with my Master’s Degree in Social Work after attending Lake Superior State University completing Criminal Justice / Public Safety Emphasis Bachelor’s Degree and a Paramedic Technology Associate’s Degree in 2008. I have experience working directly with law enforcement as a dispatcher and working in the public safety field as a fire fighter and as an EMT. I currently work for the Michigan Department of Corrections as a mental health specialist. Prior to this career, I worked for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as a foster care case manager and a juvenile justice / juvenile delinquency case manager. I look forward to working with you during your journey. NOTICE – Due to my current position with the Michigan Department of Corrections, I am unable to accept referrals or work with anyone on parole or probation.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, you can expect that we will go over the limits of confidentiality, the assessments that have been completed, what you expect to gain out of treatment and how often you are wanting to meet. The first session is an information gathering / getting to know you session. My job is to make you feel as comfortable about the therapeutic process as it can be. Therapy can be both a stressful and anxious period in a person’s life. My goal is to make our time together as smooth as possible. I am meeting you at the most vulnerable time of your life and my hope is to try to bring you into a place of healing.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I feel that my greatest strengths is my caring compassionate personality. I take time to get to know my patients, so they feel heard. I want them to know that there is someone that cares about what is happening to them, what they are going through. I also feel that I can relate to a lot of individuals within the public safety field, because “I really do know”. In addition, faith is an important part of my life. My prayer is that I can help individuals move into a better place mentally than they were when therapy first began. Even though this not requirement within the therapeutic relationship, incorporation of the Christian Faith (prayer and scripture) is available is desired.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I feel I am best positioned to serve individuals who have suffered secondary trauma. Secondary trauma occurs when individuals are exposed to trauma indirectly. This could be from hearing about a traumatic experience or compassionately engaging with the traumatic experience of another individual. Working in the public safety field, I have first had knowledge of the day-to-day experiences that these men and women face. I feel that I am also well versed in working with individuals who have suffered a traumatic event themselves. Working as a foster care case manager and as a mental health specialist in the correctional setting, I work with individuals who have been abused, neglected, and forgotten about. This not only affects who a person is mentally, but also spiritually and physically as well. Traumatic experiences could cause a person to struggle with anxiety as well. Individuals who struggle with anxiety are the third population I feel best positioned to serve. Anxiety could occur for many reasons. This could be due to an underlying health condition, a traumatic event, or stress / stressful situation occurring.
Christian Counseling
Christian counseling is a form of therapy that integrates traditional mental health techniques with biblical principles and Christian faith, aiming to improve mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It provides a faith-based perspective to address challenges like anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. **** Notice – Unknown Author (Treatment description taken from online) ****
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to alleviate distress from traumatic memories. It uses bilateral stimulation—typically guided eye movements—to help the brain reprocess stuck, traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity and fostering healing. Developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, it is highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, and depression EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. **** Notice – Unknown Author (Treatment description taken from online) ****
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term goal-focused evidence-based therapeutic approach, which incorporates positive psychology principles and practices, and which helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope friendly, positive emotion eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change. **** Notice – Unknown Author (Treatment description taken from online) ****
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented, and person-centered counseling style designed to strengthen personal motivation and commitment to change. It focuses on resolving ambivalence by helping individuals explore their own reasons for change in a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental atmosphere. MI is commonly used for addiction, substance abuse, and health behavior changes. **** Notice – Unknown Author (Treatment description taken from online) ****
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of "talk therapy"; that helps you understand how your past experiences and hidden (unconscious) thoughts shape your current emotions, behaviors, and relationship patterns. Unlike approaches focused solely on fixing symptoms, this therapy digs deeper to uncover the root causes of psychological distress, aiming for long-lasting, fundamental change in your personality and life. **** Notice – Unknown Author (Treatment description taken from online) ****