When the Past Still Feels Present
A depth-oriented approach to processing unresolved experiences, including trauma and abuse, so you can feel more present, grounded, and connected in your life and relationships.
You may find yourself replaying the past, feeling pulled back into old emotions, or unsure why something that’s “over” still feels so present.
Trauma-informed counseling and art therapy • Grand Rapids
This Might Be You
You may find yourself here if:
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You can’t seem to stop thinking about a past relationship or experience
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You replay conversations, moments, or memories long after they’ve ended
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Something from your past still feels emotionally unfinished
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You feel pulled back into emotions you thought you had already worked through
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You’re in a current relationship, but part of you still feels stuck somewhere else
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You’ve experienced emotional, physical, or sexual harm, and it continues to shape how you feel, trust, or connect
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You don’t fully understand why this still affects you, but it does
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You’ve tried to “move on,” but something in you hasn’t caught up
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Even when time has passed, your mind and body may still be holding onto something that never had the chance to fully process. You may feel like you should be over it, but something in you isn’t.
How I Help / My Approach
My approach integrates traditional talk therapy with art-based and symbolic processing.
This means we don’t rely on words alone.
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Sometimes, the experiences that stay with us, especially those connected to relationships or trauma, are difficult to fully explain or make sense of through conversation alone. They can feel layered, emotional, and hard to access directly.
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In our work together, we create space to explore these experiences in a way that is both grounded and intentional.
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This may include:
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Talking through patterns, relationships, and past experiences
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Using simple art-making processes to explore what feels difficult to put into words
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Working with imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to deepen understanding
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Gently processing emotions at a pace that feels manageable and safe
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You do not need to be “good at art.”
The focus is not on creating something perfect, it’s on what the process reveals and allows you to experience.
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This approach can be especially helpful when something feels stuck, repetitive, or unresolved, when you’ve thought about it many times, but it still hasn’t shifted. Many people come to therapy having already thought about their experiences extensively but still feel stuck. This approach allows us to work with what hasn’t shifted through thinking alone.
What Sessions Look Like
Sessions are collaborative and tailored to you.
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Some sessions may be more conversational, while others may incorporate creative or reflective processes depending on what feels most supportive and relevant.
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We move at a pace that feels grounded and manageable, especially when working with more sensitive or complex experiences. There is no pressure to share more than you’re ready for.
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Over time, our work may help you:
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Better understand patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and relationships
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Process experiences that feel unresolved or difficult to access
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Feel less caught in cycles of rumination or emotional looping
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Develop a stronger sense of clarity, grounding, and connection
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The goal is not to overwhelm the process, but to support meaningful and lasting change.
Details
Location: Grand Rapids, MI (in-person) + Telehealth available
Session Length: 60 minutes
Fee: $100 per 60-minute session
Payment: Private pay (superbills available upon request)
Availability: Limited evening appointments
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Sessions take place in a private, studio-based setting designed to feel both grounded and intentional.