Traverse City is known as the cherry capital of the United States because of the millions of pounds of cherries they produce every year. The people celebrate their heritage and hard work every year during the Cherry Festival held in the city. Even though there are many things to celebrate, no one is impervious to life’s troubles.
If you don’t feel so sweet in the cherry capital, then speaking with a mental health professional about the problems you are experiencing is a good way to ensure you can enjoy all the wonders and joys of life. If your life feels shaken up, and you don’t know what to do, then seeking guidance from a qualified counselor may just be the cherry on top.

Dr. Melissa Oleshansky
It takes a really strong person to seek out therapy. I am glad that you are here. My name is Dr. Melissa Oleshansky. You can call me "Dr. O." I am a Fully Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and Registered Yoga Teacher. I have a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Health Psychology and Two Masters Degrees, one in Clinical Psychology and one in School and Community Psychology. For over two decades, I have worked with a diverse group of adults with transitional life stress, anxiety, and depression. On this supportive care platform, I take a personalized coaching approach to help build resilience and strength in times of stress and transition. With my clinical expertise in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we will work together to help you gain insight and wisdom in mastering your body's stress response, find purpose and meaning in life, & learn science-based coping skills to manage life's most difficult times. I am here to offer coaching strategies to help you boost self-confidence, strengthen self-esteem, and resolve self-doubt, so you feel empowered to live the life you desire and deserve. I take a smart, direct, nonjudgmental, and compassionate approach to life coaching.

Keith Harris
About Me I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been in practice as a therapist for over twenty years. Prior to joining BetterHelp, I served in the U. S. Military as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Commissioned Officer. After retiring from the military, I began my second career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My practice areas include working with clients experiencing a broad range of Mental Health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, stress management, relationship/marital and family problems, work-related stress, and interest in improving self-esteem, health and lifestyle, and quality of life issues. My approach to online counseling is grounded in the belief that we are each trying to do our best (given our genetics, family training, and current circumstances). However, we tend to get stuck in certain emotional patterns, thought patterns, and behavioral patterns. In order to help with this “stuckness,” I utilize a combination of evidence-based treatments including, Humanistic and CognitiveTherapies. All of this occurs within a safe online counseling environment creating a trusting relationship that we will build over time. Please know that I am committed to giving you quality care and protecting your privacy and I will do my best to help you achieve the goals that you came to BetterHelp to resolve. My previous clients found their online counseling sessions to be very helpful in addressing whatever presenting issues that they have chosen to discuss in counseling. I look forward to meeting with you!

Suzanne Johnson-Grace
I am a family and counselor licensed in Michigan with over 30 years of experience working as a counselor and therapist. I have helped clients work through a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, and challenges relating to aging, caring for aging family members, and managing end-of-life issues. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma and substance abuse challenges. In addition, I have developed and implemented a program to help people working through eating disorders. My counseling style is warm , interactive, and very flexible. I believe that everyone is unique and I embrace the diversity of people that I meet and work with. My philosophy is that everyone is entitled to be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic counseling. I firmly believe that your needs drive our dialog and treatment. My role is to help steer and navigate based on what we discover together. Change is difficult and it can be overwhelming. It takes courage to take the steps and make changes to seek a more fulfilling and happier life. If you are ready to embrace the change and take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you on your journey!

Mary Allen
I am a masters level social worker with almost forty years of experience in community mental health, providing assessments, crisis counseling, and extended counseling to people with a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to family and marital problems and on. I am warm, respectful, and client centered, and believe in the wisdom each of us holds within. As such I see my role as providing an environment to help uncover those answers. I'm also a practical counselor and can help teach you skills to cope with challenges you face. I realize that embarking on counseling is a big step. It takes courage to examine your life and painful issues, but so worth it! I enjoy helping people on their journey to increased self-awareness and life satisfaction.

Eunice Banks
I have been practicing social work since 1987. For many years , I have provided therapy for individuals, couples, families and provided it to organizations. My goal in providing therapy is to assist getting clients to a place of developing coping skills to manage their day to day stressors. I am flexible, reliable, enthusiastic, self-motivated, responsible and hard-working. I am mature and adaptable to most challenging situations. I am able to work well both in a team environment as well as using my own initiatives.

Victoria Schmidt
I am fully licensed in Michigan with over 20 years of professional mental health experience. I can help you with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, depression and much more. I work with my clients to create an open, honest and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without judgment. Taking the first step toward healing takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Elaine Noland-Sepko
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Marriage Couples and Family Counseling, with an emphasis in Crisis and Trauma Counseling. My experience ranges with many different age groups, an I have worked with a diverse client base over the past 12 years. I started off working with Survivors of Sexual Trauma, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking. I have worked with children, adolescents, Teens, young adults, adults and the Elderly, providing Individual Therapy, Family Therapy and Couples Therapy, with extensive experience in Group Therapy for adolescents and adults. As well as individual and group therapy for adolescents with substance abuse/addictions. I am currently adding in a focus of Perinatal Mental Health. As I have continued in this field, I have educated myself as much as possible to be able to work with different cultures, races and minorities in order to better serve more populations of individuals who may not have been able to receive the help and the support they need. My Theoretical Foundation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, however, I integrate other Theories and interventions in order to meet the individual needs of clients. These include Narrative Therapy, Family Systems Theory, Social Learning Theory and Gottman's Sound Relationship House Theory. I am trained in TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My approach is Client Centered, with my focus being on the Client and the Client's needs. I work with the Client to identify goals, and work together with the the client to achieve these goals. As a Therapist, I listen, I help identify challenges, process feelings, and help problem solve and then Client takes action to create change. This is not easy, and trusting this process can be difficult, and I never ask my clients to do anything that I would do myself. I am a trauma survivor and because of my experience, I chose to be therapist in order to help others, because it can be difficult to understand the feelings that accompany trauma unless you have lived through a traumatic event yourself. My hope is to create a safe space where Clients can seek help, feel listened to, feel respected, and hopefully find answers and learn new things to help them cope with the challenges that they have been facing. I am flexible throughout the day with my work schedule which can change from day to day. I do not work on the weekends, and will not be able to answer any messages until Monday. Please let me know what works with your schedule and I will do my best to accommodate you. In some cases I may be able to book sessions the same week of enrollment. Not always and appointments may be a week out. I do have set times in the evenings and weekends for appointments that are consistent. I check my messages multiple times throughout the day, and will respond as quickly as my schedule allows. At times I am very busy and cannot answer right away. I will answer as soon as I can, generally within 24-48 hours. Please know that when I respond, it does not mean I am available for a back and forth chat in the portal. I am responding as quickly as I can between sessions and I am not able to answer each message immediately. If you have an emergency please reach out to your local services for immediate assistance. As I am not able to respond to emergencies or immediate needs. I want to make sure you have the help you need right away.

Patricia Palmer
My name is Patricia Palmer, I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan. I graduated in 2009 from Siena Heights University with a master's degree in counseling. I have worked in various settings and use many different counseling styles, approaches, and techniques to help my clients reach their highest potential. I am a strength-based provider, and want to assist those in need find a way to create peace and harmony in their lives. Throughout my career, I have worked with children to older adults, individuals, couples, and families. I am able to assist clients with: anxiety, emotional concerns, supportive counseling needs, trauma or traumatic event processing, stress management, family/friendship/couples communication or intimacy struggles, acknowledging diagnoses, or overall unwanted thoughts and feelings. I believe that there is no problem too big for you to learn to take back control. I hope to help you or your loved ones move forward in life and have the courage, tools, and strength to see every day as an opportunity for change, growth, and possibility. Let me help you shine your light!

Michael MacDonell
I am licensed in Florida and Michigan with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Kierra "Kie" Gray
I am licensed in Michigan and Texas with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, career difficulties, depression, & executive coaching. I also have experience working with professional coaching. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Find a therapist serving clients in Michigan
What types of therapists are available to clients in Traverse City?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Traverse City that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Traverse City available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Traverse City therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Traverse City therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Traverse City region and in the state of Michigan.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Traverse City can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Traverse City may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Traverse City offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.