Kimberley VanHaitsma

Hello, and welcome! I’m glad you are here. My name is Kim, and I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Michigan. I have been on the social work scene for 20 years, after a short career in the nursing field, and graduated with an MSW degree in 2002 from Grand Valley State University. I have a wide and varied background, from working in geriatrics in a health care setting to crisis counseling with high risk clients. For the last 5 years, I have been working with limited license social workers in a supervisory role as they work toward full licensure. As a crisis counselor, I continually assessed for safety concerns, including harm to self and others. I am well versed in suicide assessment and in-the-moment solution focused counseling, prioritizing safety planning and accessing emergency services when needed. Often, substance abuse, domestic violence, and medication issues proved to be the underlying cause, requiring swift and intuitive assessment skills to rectify the crisis at hand. Much of the counseling work I am currently involved in centers around boundary setting, compassion fatigue, and self care. Anxiety and depression, however, are increasingly the common thread that can become debilitating, affecting work productivity and personal relationships. I like to use a holistic approach to my work, as the physical body often becomes run down when a person suffers mentally (and vice versa!). I have a heart for individuals who are dealing with the mental agony of chronic physical conditions, as well as their caregivers, who are often equally exhausted. I am quite flexible in my availability, and can be reached via phone, text, or video. I am very comfortable with providing support over the phone, as this is what I did for years as a crisis counselor. I am not afraid to talk about tough issues, or troubling thoughts you may be experiencing. I am looking forward to coming alongside as you commit to improving your mental health, finding purpose, and experiencing happiness. This is what every person deserves, and I am here to help.