The Heart of Kids Creek Family Counseling

Over the course of nearly 30 years, I have dedicated my career to working with vulnerable children, challenged adolescents, and diverse families dealing with conflict. My extensive experience as a clinical social worker has allowed me to develop a deep respect for meeting others exactly where they are. My passion for connecting with others fuels my work in facilitating growth, healing, and empowerment especially for traumatized children, adolescents, and adults. My experience includes individual, group and family work in addition to supervisory roles, and clinical supervision for over twenty years. I have extensive practice in working with addiction, complex and simple trauma, anxiety, depression and family conflict.

A key aspect of my approach is understanding early attachment experiences and their impact on development, deep beliefs, and emotional regulation through a family systems lens. I believe strongly in the innate desire for self-healing and self-determination, and my role is to support this process with a direct and realistic approach. My philosophy centers on reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. I am committed to modeling and mentoring genuine, non-judgmental relationships of safety which is the only environment that healing can truly flourish within. Being seen, heard, gotten, cherished and protected our essential components to safety.

I am the owner of Kids Creek Family Counseling which I began in 2016 after years of working in Child Welfare, the field of addiction, clinical supervision and a period of teaching in higher education. At this time in my professional career, I find myself working particularly with children age six and up as well as adolescents. I am loving this work! I am energetic, engaging and genuine, what you see is what you get which is critically important as children are truth seekers and tellers. I look forward to the opportunity to see if you or your child and I are a good fit to do this sacred work which is everything.

For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with children, teens, adults, and their families who are struggling with trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, health issues, and school or work problems. I have significant training working with childhood trauma and attachment issues. Many of my clients want to change some patterns that are preventing them from living the life they want or achieving their life goals. My approach to therapy is collaborative and draws from my experience in relationship-based, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family systems work.

During our first sessions, we’ll explore the factors that may be contributing to your current life challenges, identify the changes you would like to see, and then develop a plan to move forward with your goals. I strive to provide a warm and safe environment in which to do this work. Using the analogy of sailing: When we are on a sailing journey, we can often get off course by currents, high winds, and rough seas. We need to find our compass, chart our course, adjust our sails to move in the direction of our life journey, and reach our destination.

I have had more than 25 years of experience working in the profession of social work. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families who are dealing with a diverse range of challenges. I strive to help individuals feel empowered by creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. I support individuals in their self-healing and self-determination to work toward recognized beneficial change.

I am a Licensed Master of Social Work and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I am also an associate professor and teach social work to bachelor’s and master’s degree students. I value relationships with people who are free from judgment, which enhances my ability to create a safe, non-threatening, therapeutic place for individuals to feel comfortable.

Please feel free to contact me directly at joaniehazeltonlmsw@gmail.com.

I am a therapist and clinical social worker who values seeing lasting change in the lives of the individuals with whom I work. Trained as a clinician, I primarily work with adults, couples, and teenagers with a wide range of issues: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, simple and complex trauma, PTSD, grief, relationship issues, and addiction. I am trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and I utilize CBT, DBT, and mindfulness in my practice.

My passion lies in helping individuals discover how past memories and experiences have affected the way they view themselves. If you attend an appointment with me, we’ll collaborate on treatment goals that may help you live your best life; after all, you are the expert on your life!

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and explore any issue that may be troubling you. It is my privilege to offer a safe environment to discuss any personal concerns you may have.

Deanna has been counseling children and adolescents for over 15 years. Her background is in education where she began as a teacher and an elementary school principal. She then worked in higher education and earned her counseling degree and certificate as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She is a supervisor and helps other limited licensed counselors earn their full license after graduation.

Working with children and their caregivers has been a lifelong mission. If children and their families are having problems, then it’s important to help them find solutions and regain calm and balance in their lives. Deanna uses Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trauma Play, Short-term Solution-focused Therapy, and Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) in working with her clients. She is also trained in working with Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) with children under the age of 12 years. Using Sand Tray art, child-centered play, and therapeutic games helps children and adolescents sort through their issues and experience self-regulation and resolution.

Contact Deanna to see if she is a good fit for your child and family. She primarily works with children ages 4 and above and their caregivers. She also works with adolescents to help them find solutions to everyday stressors and put their lives back on a healthy track.

I started my counseling career with the intention of becoming an academic counselor, helping students plan their schedules and their futures after high school. While I have worked in that setting, I found I much preferred to spend more time with my clients, getting to know their needs and supporting them through difficult times without an agenda. My experiences with youth and families in crisis or facing homelessness changed my life.

I’ve had the honor of standing by children and families experiencing transitions, loss, homelessness, abuse, questioning/changing identity, academic difficulties, depression, and anxiety. I’ve also worked with adults and families struggling with substance abuse. Life can be difficult, and there aren’t many road maps to guide us. I’d love to be a point of support and advocacy for you as you figure out your path.

I’m active in my community, and I love art, especially music, dancing, and writing. Counseling can sometimes start off feeling foreign and uncomfortable; let’s talk about what you love to do and who you are! My work involves aspects of mindfulness, creativity, and (most-of-all) the idea that supportive relationships are inherently healing in nature. I have also completed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and have worked with youth on safety planning to prevent suicide.

In today’s world, parenting can be challenging. In many cases, we are raising our children with little support from others. And, our children and teens are faced with a great deal of stress and outside influence such as social media, online bullying, high education standards, and expectations for long-term education along with potentially reduced opportunities after graduation. As a parent, you want your children to be happy, self-confident, kind, and healthy contributors to society. Let me support your child.

With greater stress and pressures for our children, comes increased stress and pressures for us as their parents. There is a wealth of advice online, but which advice is the right advice? And how do I support my stressed child or teen when I am already stressed in my own day-to-day life? Let me support you.

My goal is to provide a calm, accepting, and genuine therapeutic environment as I assist older children (9+), adolescents, and teens in processing their challenges, whether that be from a traumatic experience, life stressors, or anxiety/depression. In addition, I am here to support parents in sessions as well. I also aim to provide solace to early adults as they begin to navigate life.

My primary goal is to provide a safe and comfortable environment where clients feel they matter and are listened to. Our complex and challenging world can sometimes become a difficult place to navigate, especially when we find ourselves in crisis or facing change. My purpose, as a therapist, is to partner with clients and prioritize their right to determine their own path. Each client is unique, and helping them discover what their strengths are is an important part of the counseling process.

I utilize several approaches to therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy. The foundation of my practice rests on the psychologist Carl Rogers’ principle of unconditional positive regard. I strive to emphasize acceptance and respect for each client that I have the privilege to partner with. My goal is to help clients achieve their best life.

Life comes with many ebbs and flows, and you do not have to face them alone. I am dedicated to walking alongside you, supporting you in cultivating presence and gratitude during moments of joy while guiding you in discovering meaning, resilience, and growth in life’s challenging times.

As an LLMSW with a second Master’s in Early Childhood and Family Development, I bring over a decade of experience working in the Traverse City area supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including five years in family support programming and several years as an early childhood educator and program director. I use a strength-based, person-centered approach to support my clients in reaching their personal goals.

In working with both children and adults, my focus is on creating a space where you can feel heard, valued, and empowered to make meaningful changes at your own pace. I work with individuals navigating challenges such as anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and life transitions. I also support those healing from trauma, individuals in their recovery journey, and family and relationship issues. For parents, I offer guidance through parenting and postpartum concerns. With children, I focus on building emotional regulation and coping skills in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to their lives.

Licensed Master Social Worker | Trauma Specialist

Richard Cooper, LMSW, is a trauma-informed therapist offering compassionate, client-centered care to individuals navigating life’s most challenging moments. Specializing in trauma recovery, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), suicidal ideation, and LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, Richard brings a grounded, evidence-based approach rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a deep respect for each client’s lived experience.

With a warm, personal style and a healthy dose of humor, Richard creates a safe and supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to heal. He believes therapy doesn’t have to be sterile or overly clinical—it can also be real, relatable, and even a little nerdy. (Yes, fandoms and geeky metaphors are welcome.)

Richard offers telehealth sessions with limited in-person availability, making care accessible, flexible, and tailored to your needs.

Whether you’re working through trauma, struggling with identity or suicidal thoughts, or simply seeking someone to walk beside you in your journey, Richard is committed to helping you move forward—one step, laugh, or lightsaber swing at a time.

I help children, teens, and adults work through anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles by creating a safe, supportive space where they can feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.

My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you or your child can feel understood, build emotional resilience, and move towards healing and growth. I have had experience in clinical settings providing individual therapy, supporting families through grief and loss in hospice care, and working as a school-based counselor. These experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective on the emotional needs of individuals and families at different stages of life.

As a parent of two young children, I understand firsthand the complexities of family life and the importance of mental wellness at every stage. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, I will walk alongside you with compassion, practical tools, and a deep respect for your unique experience.

Our experiences and perspectives are all unique and so are the challenges that each person faces in life. As a counselor I have the privilege of helping children and adolescents explore their own journey and perspective by working to identify challenges that impact their life. As well as use the strengths they already possess as the client learns new skills to work towards overcoming those challenges.

My approach

I approach counseling with an understanding that there is not a single theoretical approach that can fit with every individual and their needs. The theoretical approaches to counseling I draw from are primarily from person centered therapy and mindfulness based cognitive behavioral therapy. I also implement play when appropriate in sessions. While I primarily use these approaches, I may also include other approaches when it would benefit my client.

What to expect

I understand that counseling can be a daunting endeavor. What you can expect when you come in for counseling is that I am ready to listen and have prepared an environment where you are free to discuss your experiences at your pace. You will be in a space where you do you not have to worry about rejection and will be treated with respect and can come as you are. The first few sessions will be used to get to know each other and explore and learn about your life story. We will also identify problems you would like to improve and establish a plan together to accomplish those goals!

Outside of work I love being outside especially hiking, camping and fishing. I also enjoy playing disc golf, pickle ball, building Legos, and cooking. Finally, I love to spend a lot of time with my wife and dog playing games or watching a movie.

John Bullington is a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor at Kids Creek Family Counseling in Traverse City, Michigan. A U.S. Navy veteran with relief experience during Japan’s 2011 disaster, he brings a spirit of service and resilience to his clinical work. He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Cornerstone Theological Seminary and has a creative background in film and theater. Outside the office, John enjoys photography, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, woodworking, and life in the Grand Traverse Area with his wife and two cats.

In his counseling practice, John specializes in blending person-centered, narrative, art, and play therapy to meet each client where they are. His approach is creative, empathetic, and tailored to the individual. John understands that life can feel heavy—whether someone is navigating change, wrestling with difficult emotions, or trying to make sense of their story. John offers a space where clients can be themselves, speak freely, and feel supported. Whether it’s a teen under pressure or an adult seeking clarity, he walks alongside them with compassion and care.

I began my career providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services over 15 years ago. Over the last 13 years I have provided therapy services as a Licensed Professional Counselor in a variety of settings. I have had the privilege of working with children and teens, including those within the child welfare system, as well as adults of all ages, and a variety of diverse families. Supporting individuals and families navigate their unique challenges while finding their path to healing is my passion.

I value a person centered approach to therapy by using interventions best suited to the individual and their presenting circumstances. I am experienced in providing CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Mindfulness interventions. I have worked with grief and loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, relational difficulties, and disordered eating challenges as well. I utilize a trauma informed approach, with a family systems and attachment theory understanding.

I am also a wife, a mother to three adult children, and one giant fur baby! I love enjoying the outdoors of Northern Michigan and our surrounding areas. I also understand how finding and maintaining a life balance and mental
wellness can be difficult to manage through all stages of life. In working together, my purpose is to support a safe and welcoming environment, while partnering to address you or your child’s specific needs.

For more than 20 years, I have worked with adults, teens, couples, and groups who are feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them—patterns that disrupt relationships, fuel anxiety or overwhelm, or create a sense of living smaller than they want to. A guiding belief in my work is that every problem began as a solution. At some point, each of us developed an Answer—a set of strengths, strategies, and protective behaviors that helped us stay safe and connected when we needed it most. When that Answer becomes overgrown, it can push us away from the relationships or goals we care most about.

My work focuses on helping people understand and gently release the old triggers, beliefs, and nervous system responses that keep them tied to these patterns. I integrate Somatic and Attachment-Focused EMDR (SAFE EMDR) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), along with attachment theory, polyvagal principles, and relational therapies informed by EFT and the Gottman Method. My style is collaborative and structured, goal-oriented yet deeply supportive. I see therapy as a process of removing the barriers that prevent you from becoming your best self—and building the capacity to move through life with more freedom, connection, and choice.

Some of the most meaningful moments in this work happen when someone experiences real relief after letting go of a memory or belief that has been carried for years or even decades. I’m especially passionate about supporting survivors of both “big T” and “little t” trauma, young men in recovery and redefining masculinity, couples in distress, and high-functioning professionals who feel overwhelmed despite their strengths.

In our first sessions, we’ll work together to understand what your Answer has been trying to protect you from, clarify the changes you want to see, and develop a plan to help you move toward the life and relationships you want. My hope is that therapy feels grounding, empowering, and genuinely useful as you take meaningful steps forward.

Outside of my clinical work, I’m a father of four and someone who believes deeply in personal growth—both my clients’ and my own. These experiences continually remind me how challenging, and how rewarding, it can be to pursue healing while showing up for the people we love.

I would be honored to support you as you move toward greater freedom, healing, and connection.

About Me

We don’t live or grow in isolation—our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are shaped by our relationships, experiences, and the environments we move through every day. In therapy, my goal is to help you better understand yourself, make sense of what’s been weighing on you, and develop practical tools to navigate life with more confidence and balance.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with experience working with adolescents, teens, adults, and families in community mental health settings. I hold dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health, which allows me to approach therapy through both a personal and systems-based lens—considering not just what’s happening internally, but also the external factors that influence your mental health.

I specialize in supporting clients with emotional regulation, behavioral challenges, identity development, and performance-related stress. My therapeutic approach integrates elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with strengths-based and trauma-informed care. I have extensive experience working with individuals navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, adjustment-related stress, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

Originally a native Yooper, I have lived in Traverse City with my wife and son since 2013. Outside of therapy, I’m an avid sports fan and enjoy coaching football and rugby in the community.

What to Expect in Therapy

Therapy with me is collaborative, practical, and grounded in real life. I strive to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and understood—without judgment or pressure to “have it all figured out.”

You can expect our work together to include:

• A supportive, down-to-earth environment where your experiences are taken seriously
• Clear, practical tools and skills you can apply outside of sessions
• A focus on both insight and action, helping you understand patterns while building healthier responses
• Therapy that moves at your pace, guided by your goals and values

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, struggling with emotions or relationships, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, therapy is a place to build awareness, confidence, and meaningful change.

About Me

Hello, my name is Madeline!