Christian Counseling in Birmingham, MI—Oakland Christian Counselors and Therapists

Ileah-Marè Smith, DMIN, MAPC, NCC, LPC, ACS

Philosophy of Care

Ileah-Marè is a licensed professional counselor social who specializes in Christian counseling, mood disorders, relationship issues, women’s issues, and sexual health. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oakland University, a Master’s degree in Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. She completed additional addictions training at Western Michigan University and has worked with specialty populations including: homeless populations, domestic violence populations, and with high school age children and young adults. Ileah-Marè completed her post-graduate training in sex therapy and sexuality education at the University of Michigan. She has extensive experience working with cultural and religious issues, especially within the Christian community. Ileah-Marè is a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors and has Approved Clinical Supervisor certification. She has over 14 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including outpatient specialty clinics, crisis intervention, structured outpatient programs, intensive day treatment, clinical consultations, and private practice.  She has provided clinical and administrative supervision to counseling students, interns and professionals. She has a broad range of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and groups across the life span.

Ileah-Marè is eclectic and uses a blend of Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, Reality Based, and psycho-education to individuals age eight and up. A holistic approach is utilized by exploring with and educating clients about how mind, spirit and body are interconnected. Her theory is that people are free to experience change when they have hope and guidance to challenge and replace irrational thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. She enjoys helping people navigate through their personal and life challenges by teaching them how to use their personal strengths.

Education and Licensure

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• MA

Specialties

• Depression and Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Behavioral and Discipline Challenges
• Parenting Issues
• Self-Harm Behavior
  
• Complicated Grief Reactions
  
• Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
  
• Anger and Stress Management
  
• Trauma and Abuse
  
• Family and Relationship Issues
  
• Children/Adolescents
  
• Suicide Assessment and Risk Reduction
  
• Group Psychotherapy
  
• Chronic Mental Illness
  
• Couple’s Conflict
• Self-image and Self-Esteem Issues
• Spiritual Issues

Lynn MacDonald, LPC

Philosophy of Care

Welcome! My name is Lynn MacDonald. I am a graduate of Oakland University where I obtained my Master of Arts in Community Agency Counseling.  I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan. I have over fifteen years in the Human Services field. I have been practicing as a Professional Counselor since 2013; providing individual, family and group therapy interventions with children ages three to seventeen and adults of all ages. My clientele has consisted of child victims of neglect, physical and sexual abuse, as well as their family members, children with severe emotional disturbance and their caregivers, individuals with a trauma history, including members of the military, depression, generalized and severe anxiety, coping with grief and loss, crisis counseling, individuals who self-harm or are suicidal, family conflict, and parenting concerns. I work with children, adolescents, and adults on an individual, conjoint or family basis. I have regularly facilitated child social skills building groups, teen survivor groups and parent support groups with a variety of topics. 

I have worked as an Advocate in schools for Special Education needs, in the court system for victims of abuse, and have fifteen years’ experience providing all types of Case Management services and am able to connect clients to resources within their communities. 

I am experienced in a variety of counseling techniques. I believe it is very important to establish a trusting, ethical, therapeutic relationship with my clients and I utilize empathy and unconditional positive regard.  I consider myself Integrative, which uses a combined approach to psychotherapy that brings together different elements of specific therapies. Integrative therapists take the view that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. Therefore, I will draw from techniques that fit the client as an individual. I am compassionate, open minded, and very Person Centered in my approach. I have used therapeutic techniques drawn from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy informed interventions, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Structured Sensory Interventions for Traumatized Children, Adolescents and Parents (SITCAP), Family Systems Theory, Behavioral based interventions, Psycho-education, and other interventions necessary to assist my clients to reach their therapeutic goals and healing. 

I am passionate about my work and am grateful for the trust my clients extend to me. I work very hard with my clients to assist them to achieve their goals. I value your honesty and feedback. When we work together you can expect to be treated fairly, respectfully, honestly, and without judgment.

I am here to serve you and to assist you to bring about the change you want for your life. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you!

Specialties

• Trauma
• Depression
• Stress, Anxiety
• Family conflict
• Coping with Grief/Loss
• Self esteem
• Children, Adolescents, Teens
• Couples
• Groups

Phyllis Jones, LPC, NCC, CADC-M

Philosophy of Care

I have experience with children, tweens, teens and adults in many capacities and I have a diverse skill set. I have had many years of counseling, case management and supervisory experience. I enjoy using a Solution-focused, Humanistic, Existential and Eclectic approach, with the clients, couples and families served. I work with people with many disorders, including, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, family and marriage counseling, individual counseling, substance abuse, Autism and individuals with physical disabilities. I also offer counseling services to GLBTQQ (teens and adults) and employment and job exploration for those transitioning in life.

I look forward to meeting you.

Education

I hold my Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, LPC, NCC and I also have my CADC-M.