Areas of Focus

Primary Areas of Specialty

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Mood Disorders

Moods are a category of mental health conditions affecting a person's emotional state, leading to periods of extreme sadness, elevated mood, or a combination of both. These disorders include conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymia, each marked by different patterns and intensity of mood changes.

Mood disorders can significantly affect daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. (They often require a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes for effective management).

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Depression

Depression is more than simply feeling sad. It can affect how a person thinks, feels, and handles everyday life, making work, relationships, and normal responsibilities feel much harder.

  • Everyone goes through difficult or stressful periods, but depression tends to last longer and can interfere with things a person normally enjoys. It can look different for everyone and may include low mood, loss of interest, low energy, trouble concentrating, or changes in sleep and appetite. It can develop for many reasons, including stress, loss, illness, or major life changes, and sometimes there may not be an obvious cause.
  • The good news is that depression is treatable. With the right support and an approach that fits the individual, many people are able to feel better and regain their quality of life.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after someone experiences or witnesses something deeply traumatic. It is normal to feel upset or unsettled after a traumatic event, but for some people, those feelings continue and begin to affect everyday life.

  • PTSD can look different from person to person. Someone may experience upsetting memories or nightmares, avoid things that remind them of what happened, or feel constantly on edge or unsafe. It can develop after experiences such as combat, abuse, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and symptoms can appear right away or months later.
  • PTSD is not a sign of weakness or a failure to cope. With the right support and treatment, many people are able to work through their symptoms, feel safer, and move forward with their lives.
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Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is something everyone experiences from time to time, especially during stressful or uncertain situations. It becomes a concern when worry or fear feels constant, difficult to control, or starts getting in the way of everyday life, relationships, work, or things you normally enjoy.

Anxiety can affect both your mind and your body. Some people may feel constantly worried or on edge, while others may experience sudden intense fear or avoid situations that make them uncomfortable. Physical symptoms can include a racing heart, muscle tension, trouble breathing, stomach discomfort, or feeling restless.

Symptoms can vary from person to person but may include:

  • Constant or excessive worrying
  • Feeling nervous, tense, or on edge
  • Difficulty calming or controlling anxious thoughts
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Muscle tension
  • Shortness of breath or chest tightness
  • Trouble focusing or concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Avoiding situations that cause anxiety
  • Feeling tired from ongoing stress and worry

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it is treatable. Understanding what is causing or contributing to your anxiety can be an important first step toward finding the right support and feeling more in control.

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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can affect attention, organization, time management, impulse control, and staying on top of everyday tasks. Although ADHD often starts in childhood, many people aren't diagnosed until their teenage or adult years.

  • ADHD can look different from person to person. Some people struggle with staying focused or finishing tasks, while others may deal with restlessness, impulsive decisions, forgetfulness, procrastination, or difficulty managing emotions. These challenges can affect work, school, relationships, and daily responsibilities.
  • ADHD isn't simply being distracted, lazy, or unmotivated. Many people with ADHD genuinely want to get things done but may have a harder time organizing their thoughts, getting started, or staying focused. With the right understanding, support, and treatment, people with ADHD can develop strategies that make everyday life much easier.
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Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes significant changes in a person's mood, energy, sleep, and behavior. These changes can include periods of depression as well as periods of unusually high energy, extreme irritability, or feeling overly excited or confident.

  • Bipolar disorder is more than everyday mood swings. Episodes can last for days or weeks and may noticeably change how someone normally thinks, behaves, and handles daily life. Some people experience clear periods of depression and elevated mood, while others may have symptoms that are less predictable or occur more often.

  • Bipolar disorder can sometimes be mistaken for depression, especially when low mood is the first major symptom. Understanding a person's full history and recognizing periods of unusually high energy or mood is important when determining the right diagnosis and treatment.

  • With the right support and treatment, many people with bipolar disorder are able to manage their symptoms, find greater stability, and live fulfilling lives.

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Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) can develop after someone has experienced ongoing or repeated trauma, especially when they felt trapped or unable to get away from what was happening. This can include childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, trafficking, or long-term exposure to unsafe situations.

  • Like PTSD, C-PTSD can cause upsetting memories, anxiety, fear, and feeling constantly on guard. It can also affect how someone feels about themselves and how they connect with and trust other people. Many people may struggle with intense emotions, shame, self-criticism, or feeling disconnected from themselves or others.

  • Complex trauma can have a lasting impact, even after the unsafe situation has ended. Everyone responds differently, and symptoms may also occur alongside anxiety or depression.

  • C-PTSD is a recognized diagnosis in some medical systems, although it is not currently listed as a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR used in the United States. Regardless of the diagnosis, the effects of long-term trauma are real and can deeply affect someone's life. With the right support and individualized care, healing and recovery are possible.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that can cause unwanted, repeated thoughts or fears and a strong urge to perform certain actions or routines to feel less anxious or prevent something bad from happening.

  • OCD is much more than simply being organized, clean, or particular about things. The thoughts and behaviors can become difficult to control and may take up a significant amount of time, interfere with daily life, and cause a great deal of distress.

  • OCD can look different for everyone. Some people may have fears about germs or contamination, while others may experience unwanted thoughts about harm, relationships, morality, religion, or other personal topics. Compulsions aren't always visible either—they can include checking, counting, repeating things, mentally reviewing situations, praying, or repeatedly seeking reassurance.

  • The behaviors or rituals may provide temporary relief, but the anxiety often returns, creating a difficult cycle. OCD is treatable, and with the right support and treatment, many people are able to reduce their symptoms and regain control of their daily lives.

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Grief

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that is important to you. While it is often connected to the loss of a loved one, grief can also follow a breakup, changes in health, infertility, miscarriage, retirement, changes in identity, or other major life events.

  • There is no single way to grieve. Everyone experiences loss differently, and emotions can change from day to day. You may feel sadness, anger, guilt, loneliness, longing, or even numbness. Grief can also affect your sleep, appetite, energy, focus, and motivation.

  • Grief itself is not a mental illness, but sometimes it can become overwhelming or begin to interfere with everyday life. Because grief can sometimes look similar to depression, anxiety, or trauma, talking with a professional can help you understand what you're experiencing and determine whether additional support may be helpful.

  • Most importantly, there is no set timeline for grief. Healing looks different for everyone, and needing support along the way does not mean you are grieving incorrectly.

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Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep problem that can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested after sleeping. While everyone has an occasional bad night, ongoing sleep problems can begin to affect mood, energy, focus, memory, and overall quality of life.

  • Insomnia can have many causes, including:

    • Stress

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Trauma

    • Medical conditions

    • Medications

    • Irregular sleep schedules

    • Lifestyle habits

  • Poor sleep can also make emotional and mental health challenges feel worse, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.
  • The good news is that insomnia is treatable. Understanding what may be affecting your sleep can help identify the right approach and support better sleep and overall well-being.
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Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome

Antidepressant withdrawal, sometimes called discontinuation syndrome, can happen when certain antidepressant medications are reduced or stopped, especially if they are stopped suddenly or lowered too quickly.

  • Not everyone experiences withdrawal, and symptoms can vary depending on the medication, dosage, length of treatment, and individual. Symptoms may be uncomfortable and can sometimes feel similar to the return of depression or anxiety.

  • Stopping an antidepressant should be planned with a healthcare professional. A gradual, personalized approach can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and make the process safer and more manageable.

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Begin Your Journey to Healing

Taking the first step toward better mental health shouldn't feel overwhelming. Reach out today to schedule your virtual consultation in Detroit, Dearborn, Traverse City, Cadillac, Marquette, Escanaba, the Upper Peninsula, and other areas throughout Michigan.