Matthew Werkman, LLMSW

You might be thinking, “My life is not everything I want it to be, and I want to figure out why that is.” Something needs to change, but you cannot put your finger on what that change is or how to go about making it. Life feels overwhelming and unrelenting and lacks meaning. Perhaps, you wonder what makes you YOU and what that means for your career or your relationships or personal self-growth. In therapy, we will holistically consider your story as we seek to restore balance and facilitate lasting change. You want to write new chapters in your story. Therapy can help you put pen to paper.

Therapy is about developing a collaborative relationship to help process some of life’s toughest challenges and explore our distinct stories. I consider it a privilege to hear people’s stories and develop a therapeutic relationship meant to help discover new growth and overcome adversity. If you are feeling stressed or stuck, therapy can help restore balance and facilitate lasting change.

Over the past few years, I have honed a warm, adaptive, and compassionate approach to therapy in a combination of inpatient and outpatient settings. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hope College and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, solutions-focused, attachment theory, and strengths-based therapy to adapt to the needs of the individual. My specialty areas include depression, life transitions, anxiety, work stress, and grief and loss.

“I need help” are three immensely difficult words to say, but they can be transformative. Choosing to see a therapist is a courageous choice filled with possibilities.