About

Hello!
I am looking forward to meeting you!
I have had an interesting and fulfilling professional and personal life and career thus far. However, my life wasn't always like this...

I am a recently retired school social worker (26 years) working with school staff, children, and their families. My last five (5) years of clinical private practice have been very rewarding. I have been in various positions including private institutions, treatment centers, state agencies, and collaborating with the courts. I have worked with hundreds of parents, families, and children of all ages, and I particularly enjoy working with children and young people ages 8-21. I strongly believe in the "power of family", and the life-giving power and vital importance of healthy and positive family relationships, parenting, and marriages.

I passionately believe that "the family" and family relationships are the fundamental building block of a healthy and stable community, a healthy Michigan, and healthy culture and country. I also feel called to and enjoy working with men as they face the many leadership challenges within their careers, work life, marriages, families, community, and our culture.

My years of work and experience have included individual counseling, couples counseling, and family counseling. Specifically, I am trained in the area of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adolescent development and existential issues, Family Systems theory, and Trauma Therapy. I also enjoy working with children and families that struggle with problematic behaviors at home or in school, parent-child relationship issues, divorce, depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma, among other things. I have worked with people with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, and ADHD, among other life issues that we all wrestle with. I have also helped many people who have experienced various forms of trauma or abuse.

My counseling style is caring, warm, and quite interactive. I believe everyone has inherent worth, value, and purpose. You are here and alive for a reason! Further, because of those truths, I believe in treating "everyone" with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I also believe that you have the capacity to solve your own problems, heal your relationships and families, make good life-empowering decisions, and find HOPE - no matter where you are in life. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral strategies, Family Systems perspectives, implementing and understanding of Developmental perspectives and theory, biblical counseling and values, and unconditional acceptance of my clients as we work together.

I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs and concerns. YOU will be in the "driver's seat" in your treatment and you will play an important part in guiding our work together! My work with you will necessarily involve helping you find a greater measure of peace, joy, healing, hope, and purpose in life, as well!

I know that it takes courage and humility to seek a more fulfilling and settled life, find personal healing and hope, and improve relationships. You may be taking the first bold step towards life-long change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and help you!

I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Dave Embertson, LMSW