“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
Meet Kristyn
About Me
I became a therapist because I believe there is something deeply meaningful about being here. Life can ask a lot of us, and sometimes the things we carry make it difficult to see beyond the next hard day. I want to help people find their footing, build the tools they need, and create a life that feels like one they actually get to participate in.
I earned both my bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University, graduating with my MSW in 2019. Before entering the field of social work, I spent four years in the Army as a medic, an experience that taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and caring for your mental health. I am a late-diagnosed ADHD adult, a caregiver for an aging parent, a mom to a child with autism, and a breast cancer survivor.
I believe therapy is about more than simply having someone listen, and it’s also more than being handed a list of things to fix. It’s about having a space to feel heard and understood while also gaining the insight, tools, and practical strategies to help you move forward. Sometimes that means sitting with what hurts; sometimes it means learning a new skill, challenging an old pattern, or trying something different between sessions. My goal is to meet you where you are, help you understand what’s getting in the way, and give you tools you can actually carry with you beyond the therapy room.
Wherever you find yourself right now, you don’t have to have everything figured out before you reach out.
📍 Wholehearted Counseling Services
4081 Cascade Rd SE, Suite 100
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 644-2835
I work with adults navigating a wide range of experiences and seasons of life. My areas of focus include:
religious trauma
I work with people who are questioning, leaving, or healing from religious environments that have caused harm. Whether you’re untangling guilt, fear, shame, or beliefs that no longer fit, therapy can be a place to sort through what you were taught, decide what you truly believe, and reconnect with yourself on your own terms.
breast cancer
As a breast cancer survivor, I know that this diagnosis can change much more than your physical health. I work with people navigating the fear, uncertainty, grief, and changes in identity that can come with diagnosis and treatment. Therapy can offer a place to process what you’re experiencing and find your footing through each stage of the journey.
anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression can make everyday life feel harder than it should. I help people understand the patterns behind what they’re experiencing, build practical tools for managing difficult emotions, and find ways to feel more present and engaged in their lives.
major life changes
Life transitions can leave us feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure of what comes next. Whether you’re facing a major decision, starting over, or adjusting to a new chapter, therapy can help you slow things down, sort through what matters, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
veteran’s issues
I work with veterans navigating life during and after military service, including transitions, relationships, anger, anxiety, and finding a sense of identity outside of the military. As a former Army medic, I understand that the transition back to civilian life can come with its own set of challenges, and I offer a practical, judgment-free space to work through them.
men’s issues
I especially enjoy working with men who feel like their anger gets the better of them—helping them understand what’s underneath the anger, recognize their patterns, and develop healthier ways to respond.
older adults
Getting older brings changes that aren’t always easy to navigate—from shifting roles and relationships to loss, health concerns, retirement, and questions about what comes next. I work with older adults to process these changes, maintain a sense of independence and identity, and find meaning and connection in each season of life.
caregivers
Caring for someone else can be deeply meaningful, but it can also leave little room for you. I work with caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, guilty, or simply unsure of how to keep going. Therapy can be a place to put down the responsibility for a while, work through the hard parts, and learn how to care for yourself, too.