ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Hey there, my name is Cassie DeGraaf. Deciding to reach out to talk to someone can be a bit overwhelming, and I commend you for taking this step. I do my best to make each person feel welcomed and supported in their mental health journey. In my practice I like to look at the whole person; not just their symptoms they're experiencing. Taking into account how their environment, physical health, social supports, and spirituality contribute to their overall wellbeing.

Treatment will look different depending on the person and what they need, but I have experience utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, strengths based perspectives and more. I’ve been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and have found it to be incredibly beneficial for those that have gone through traumatic experiences in their lives.

In 2017 I graduated from Grand Valley State University with my master’s degrees in social work and public administration. Before that I got my bachelor's in psychology with a minor in nonprofit admin. Since graduate school I’ve been working as a clinical social worker helping a variety of individuals in residential and outpatient settings dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, stress, life transitions, grief and loss, among other concerns. I typically work with young adults and middle-age adults, but occasionally work with teenagers as well.

When I’m not working I’m probably outside either taking on a new house project, running, hiking, kayaking, hammocking, gardening, or daydreaming about what my next trip should be. Michigan winter’s can be a bit rough, so I’ve learned to embrace inside hobbies like baking sourdough, sewing, puzzles, and even knitting. Hopefully I get the chance to meet you and we can get to know one another more.