ABOUT THE HOLDING SPACE

“Holding Space” is a term we often use in the helping profession. It’s to be present without judgment, to not only walk with the client on their journey but to help hold their “stuff” along the way. It’s trust, understanding, mothering, and it’s a skill. This skill along with the therapeutic relationship, are the best tools we have to help clients get better faster. So, this is what we do. We help hold the “stuff”, walk the walk, and heal wholly.

Our main office is located in Grand Rapids, MI. Additionally, Elise offers virtual sessions throughout the state of Michigan. We provide empathetic care for clients, based on their individual needs. You will feel safe in an environment that will foster exploration and growth. Helping others to live a happy and healthy life is our true passion. We’ve worked with women and families (but not limited to) experiencing anxiety/depression, loss, trauma, adjustment challenges, and relationship issues. Although, we work with a wide variety of clients, working with moms, couples, and moms-to-be is our specialty.

Providing counseling and wellness services specializing in:

Postpartum depression counseling & therapy
Postpartum anxiety counseling & therapy
Infertility counseling & therapy
Grief & loss counseling (including pregnancy & infant loss)
PMAD (PMHD) - perinatal mental health disorders / perinatal mood & anxiety disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Grief & loss (including pregnancy & infant loss)
Eating disorders
Domestic violence
Abuse
Low self-esteem/self-worth
Phase of life challenges
Adjustment issues
EMDR
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma & PTSD
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / chronic pain
OCD
Identity issues
Grief & loss (including pregnancy & infant loss)
Family counseling
Family conflict
Navigating life events or changes
Adolescent counseling
Trauma & PTSD
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / chronic pain
OCD
Identity issues
Couple’s counseling
Relationship & intimacy concerns
Grief & loss (including pregnancy & infant loss)
Support for parents of special needs children
Adoption support
LGBTQIA2S+ parents
EMDR
Contact us to learn more about upcoming classes.

MEET ELISE

ELISE FERRARY, MA, LPC, NCC, PMH-C, LPC Supervisor

Sees clients in person in the Grand Rapids office and virtually throughout Michigan.

(ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS)

Specialties:
Women’s issues
Perinatal mood & anxiety disorders
Anxiety & depression
Grief/loss (including pregnancy loss or infant loss)
Relationship concerns

Hi, I’m Elise. A Mother and a Counselor. I know those are the roles you are wondering about most- they are also my favorite and most important roles. I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years now and have had the opportunity to work in various settings with a wide range of clients. I have found my niche in counseling working with women of all stages, including the perinatal period. I specialize working with more complex perinatal cases including infant loss, fertility challenges, and NICU/medical trauma.

Fit. It’s what I talk to every client about when they first see me. It’s just that important. I am confident we can get you feeling your best but first, we have to make sure it’s a good match for you. The therapeutic relationship is the most important part of the process so if at any time it feels like it isn’t the right fit with me, I can help you get a referral that will work best for you. I am here to help you in the best way I can – I am glad you are here.

For those of you wondering about my training and schooling, this is for you! I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and my Master’s Degree in Counseling. I completed a dual specialization for school and community counseling and was a member of Oakland Universities’ International Honor Society for Professional Counseling (Chi Sigma Iota). I have worked as a School Counselor, in a Non-Profit (in-home and agency settings), and in private practice. I hold an LPC and an SCL in Michigan. I am a member of the ACA, NBCC, and PSI. I hold my PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) and am in training for EMDR.

Here are some of my most relevant trainings: QPR Suicide Prevention Training, Strengths-Based Solution-Oriented Assessment, and Intervention Training, Advanced Motivational Interviewing, Domestic Violence Intervention Training, Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care, Postpartum Stress Center 12 HR. Postgraduate Training Program: The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress Assessment, Treatment, & Advanced Clinical Practice, Zero to Thrive: Michigan Model DBT -Pregnancy and Postpartum; Evidence-Based Approaches to Clinical Supervision ACT Counselor Training; Psychiatric Disorders in Women: Diagnostic and Treatment Considerations Across the Female Lifespan, Foundational EMDR Training Part 1 and 2.

I utilize an integrative approach to counseling – meaning I use tools and techniques from various counseling theories in order to best treat the client and meet them where they are now.

Bring me your suffering.
The rattle roar of broken bones.
Bring me the riot in your heart.
Angry, wild and raw.
Bring it all.
I am not afraid of the dark.
~Mia Hollow, poet