Amy Kate Petersen, MS, LLC

Phone: 616-426-9034, ext. 675
Email: apetersen@secondstorycounseling.com

MS Professional Counseling - Concordia University Wisconsin

My story has brought me to a place where I understand the value of hope. Working through painful or challenging chapters of our story can lead us to question the fundamental understanding we have of ourselves and our place in the world. I also recognize that our grasp on hope can be incredibly messy and tenuous. As a counselor, I will step into your story gently and walk alongside, as you pick up the broken pieces and examine them. Together, we will work to discover your next steps toward hope and healing.

When I'm not working, you're likely to find me teaching a few violin lessons, in the carpool lane with my youngest, and catching up with my four grown children. I also enjoy being outdoors, iced coffee, and indulging my love of biography.

My Approach

Your concerns are unique to you and my approach to counseling reflects that. I am a client-centered, relational, and integrative counselor. This means that I believe you are capable of increasing wholeness and well-being, I prioritize the health of our working relationship, and I draw from a variety of counseling theories and research to meet your needs. Typically, early sessions focus on your story, inner understanding of life, and what motivates you. We will also look with intention at the features of what is troubling you, and eventually clarify goals, and explore next steps. In this work, I am grounded by Adlerian theory, a framework which provides focus and stability for each stage of counseling. From there, I may incorporate evidence-based interventions drawn from narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, interpersonal neurobiological therapy, trauma-informed and mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy, and other wellness and resilience approaches that promote discovery, insight, mind-body-spirit connectedness, lasting change, and healing.

What you can expect

I recognize that building trust, sharing your story, and taking steps toward change takes courage. You can expect that I will hold your story with care. Regardless of what brings you to counseling, my hope is to create a space where you are comfortable to explore both what brought you here and how you hope to move forward.