Great Lakes Wellness Counseling

10/06/2026

Big news at Great Lakes Wellness Counseling! 🥳👏

Please join us in giving a huge congratulations to Gracen for passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE)! 🎓✨

Passing the NCE is a major accomplishment, and we are so proud to have Gracen’s hard work, heart, and expertise on our team. We know how much dedication went into this milestone, and our clients are in such good hands.

Drop a comment below to help us celebrate Gracen! 👇🎉

LakesWellnessCounseling

09/24/2026

Have you ever found yourself carrying a heavy weight of sadness or exhaustion, only to tell yourself:

“I don’t know why I feel this way. It’s not like anyone died.” 💔

If so, you’re not alone—and you’re not making it up.

Grief is so much wider than an obituary. Sometimes it shows up long before a goodbye—like watching a loved one navigate dementia or a chronic illness. Other times, it comes from losses our culture doesn't always know how to talk about:

▪️ A marriage or relationship ending

▪️ A career shift or lost dream

▪️ A pregnancy loss

▪️ A friendship that quietly drifted away

▪️ Letting go of the future you thought you were building

Loving someone or something through a slow change is hard work. Mourning a life transition is real work. Your grief makes complete sense, and you don't need a formal loss to deserve space to heal.

At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling, we offer real-life conversations in a comfortable, safe space—helping you make sense of the heavy stuff so you can start moving forward again. 🌿

👉 Read the full blog post to learn more about non-traditional grief and anticipatory loss: https://greatlakeswellnesscounseling.com/grief-doesnt-always-start-the-day-someone-dies/

💬 Has there been a season in your life where you experienced a loss that didn't come with an obituary? We'd love to hear your thoughts or support you in the comments below.

If you're hurting and can't explain why, grief counseling in Grand Rapids can help.

09/16/2026

We're Hiring: Licensed or Limited-License Clinician

Great Lakes Wellness Counseling is growing, and we're looking for a motivated clinician (fully licensed preferred, limited license welcome to apply) to join our GLWC team.
We're looking for someone who shares our values and is comfortable supporting clients who are seeking a faith-based approach to counseling, alongside our broader client base. If you're passionate about client-centered care and want to grow with a supportive practice, we'd love to hear from you.

Reach out today to learn more about joining our team.

https://greatlakeswellnesscounseling.com/about-us/job-opportunities/

09/10/2026

Is your teen suddenly going quiet, skipping dinner, or giving you one-word answers? It is one of the hardest parts of parenting—staying up late searching for answers, trying to figure out if this is just "normal teenage stuff" or a sign of something deeper like depression or anxiety.

In the latest blog post from the experts at Great Lakes Wellness Counseling, we break down exactly what to look for, including:
• How teen depression often looks more like irritability than sadness.
• The difference between normal adolescent pulling away and a deeper pattern.
• What responses actually backfire (and what you can do instead to stay present).
• Other underlying factors like social burnout, anxiety, or hidden trauma.You don’t have to figure out a diagnosis on your own.

We’ve put together a full guide to help you navigate this season with your teen.

👇 Read the full guide linked in the first comment below!

💬 Parents, let's talk: What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to open up a conversation with your teenager?
Let us know in the comments.

If you feel in your gut that something is wrong, trust your instincts. Our team typically responds within 24 hours to help get your teen into a safe, supportive space quickly. Reach out to Great Lakes Wellness Counseling today to schedule an appointment.

08/31/2026

Excited to welcome Elizabeth Jackson to the Great Lakes Wellness Counseling team! She's an all star counseling intern specializing in anxiety, ADHD, and couples/relationship counseling. Now accepting individuals and couples at a special cash rate! Call today 616 202 5014 to reserve your appointment.

08/31/2026

Excited to have Lea Louie, LLMSW, as part of the Great Lakes Wellness Counseling team! Her schedule is filling fast! Reserve a therapy session for your students social and emotional wellness therapy today!

08/26/2026

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, stepdads, grandpas, and father figures in our community! 💙

Pop culture loves to paint fatherhood as a balancing act between the "goofy dad" or the "stoic protector" who never shows stress. But in the real world? It’s a high-stakes, exhausting job. Between work, family, and everything else, it is incredibly easy to put your own well-being at the very bottom of the priority list.

At Great Lakes Wellness Counseling, we believe that taking care of your mental health isn't a sign of weakness—it’s how you show up as your best self for the people who look up to you.

You don't have to carry the heavy stuff alone. We provide a comfortable, zero-judgment space where real men can talk about real life. No clinical jargon—just practical, real solutions to help you manage stress, improve relationships, and feel like yourself again.

If you or a dad you love is feeling overwhelmed, know that we’re here to help you thrive.

👉 Learn more about our specialized Counseling for Men services here: https://greatlakeswellnesscounseling.com/services/counseling-for-men/

To all the men doing the hard, quiet work every day: we see you, we appreciate you, and we hope you take some well-deserved time for you today.

06/19/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT POLICY UPDATE: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Behavioral Health Coverage in Michigan 🚨

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is updating its billing guidelines. Starting March 1, 2027, services provided by limited-licensed professionals (LLMSWs, LLPCs, LLMFTs) in private practice will no longer be eligible for commercial insurance reimbursement under the current model.

We are aware that this may cause additional concerns and stress associated with access to behavioral health care:

⚠️ Disrupted Care: Forcing a change breaks the vital therapeutic rapport you have built with your provider.

⚠️ Financial Burden: This shift may mean higher out-of-pocket costs to maintain your current care.

⚠️ Reduced Access: Limiting these highly trained, supervised specialists creates unnecessary barriers to support.

Our Commitment: Please contact the provider you work with at our office so we can prepare a plan that protects your access to care and minimizes disruption.

👉 WHAT TO DO NEXT: If you use a BCBSM commercial plan with a supervised provider, please call your BCBSM representative and let them know how this will impact the care you receive.

03/14/2026

Let’s be real: Life in Michigan moves fast. Between the unpredictable weather, the school run, and a never-ending to-do list, finding an hour to drive to a therapy office can feel... impossible. 🚗❄️

But your mental health shouldn't have to wait for a "clear spot" in your schedule.

Our Online Christian Counseling is designed to meet you exactly where you are—literally. Whether you're in Grand Rapids, Detroit, or tucked away in the Upper Peninsula, you can access support that is:

✅ Personal: No "robotic" video calls. Just real, human connection.
✅ Faith-Aware: Therapy that honors your values and your relationship with God.
✅ Easy to Access: Join your session from your couch, your office, or wherever you feel safest.

Healing is about finding a path that feels like yours. We’re just here to make the journey a little more convenient. ✋✨

Read more about how it works on the blog: https://greatlakeswellnesscounseling.com/2025/12/16/online-christian-counseling-in-michigan-support-that-feels-personal-faith-aware-and-easy-to-access/