OUR TEAM
Meredith Fruhauf, LLMSW
Hello, and welcome! My name is Meredith, and I use she/her/hers pronouns. I am so happy that you are here, and I’m looking forward to building a relationship with you. I believe one of the most valuable parts of working together in therapy is the relationship that we will build. We will work together to cultivate an environment to meet your needs through acceptance, resiliency, and transparency.
I believe being our most authentic selves is incredibly powerful, and together we can work to uncover the power within you. As your therapist, I will meet you where you are at and hold space to give you room to explore what that means to you.
We all get a little lost sometimes and might need to recalculate our route every now and again. Together, we can find a path that takes you where you want to go. On your healing journey, I will draw from a restorative, person-centered, trauma-informed, holistic perspective. I have experience and background working with teens and adults moving through a range of challenges related to depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, identity, self-esteem, life transitions, decision-making, and grief and loss.
The therapeutic interventions I work out of are based in principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), seeking-safety, emotion-focused therapy, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Regardless of where you are at in your life, I am so glad you have made this decision to take care of yourself in this way.
Offers: Telehealth Appointments
Availability: Currently Accepting New Clients
Accepts: BCBS, BCC, Molina, McLaren, Medicaid, Priority Health
Private Pay: $120/session
Joanna Karner, LMSW, CAADC
I believe the space held between therapist and client is sacred. It is a privilege and honor to be invited to take part in the journey of another person’s life - to witness their challenges and joys. I believe that you are more than your trauma or diagnosis. My goal is to be a therapeutic partner in helping you foster your strength and resilience. Together we will explore what you need to manage uncomfortable feelings, identify behaviors you want to change and integrate healthy ways of coping into the rhythm of your life. I believe in you.
I graduated from University of Michigan with an MSW in 2007. I have served as a therapist in both private practice and Community Mental Health. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based and trauma-informed. I utilize a range of interventions from such evidence-based practices as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Harm Reduction. I was recently trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
In my spare time I enjoy yoga, reading, writing, crystals and my rescue dogs.
Offers: Telehealth Appointments
Available: Accepting New Clients
Accepts: Aetna, Blue Cross Complete, BCBS, BCN, Priority Health, McLaren Commercial
Private Pay: $150/session
Rachael Krefman-Castellon, LMSW
My goal is to help clients live more peacefully.
Yes, I help clients to challenge thoughts that have resulted in feelings of anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, or other mental health concerns. I also demonstrate/teach skills for enhancing communication, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. However, I focus more on hearing, validating, and encouraging my clients. I operate under the assumption that in order to have a positive impact, the therapist must be able to connect, relate, and truly believe in the client's ability to accomplish their goals.
The people I work with are funny, creative, engaging, thoughtful, determined, and insightful, though they may not recognize their own strengths yet. They might just need a little encouragement to see themselves as they truly are, or they might need to dig deeper and explore wounds from childhood to move towards self-acceptance. Their goals range from managing stress or anxiety, to quitting drinking, to getting a new job, to having clear boundaries in relationships, to making friends. My role is to help clients build the motivation and confidence to accomplish their goals by listening to, encouraging, and challenging them.
My treatment is informed by a variety of modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Strengths-Based Therapy. Every client comes to therapy with their own life experiences, strengths, and struggles, so my treatment plan with each client is unique.
Offers: Face-to-Face and Telehealth Appointments
Availability: Unable to Accept New Clients
Accepts: BCBS, BCN, AETNA, HAP, Medicaid/ Medicaid HMOS, Medicare, Priority Health
Private Pay: $150 per session
Kayla Mockridge, LMSW
Sometimes life feels unmanageable. We work hard, we get things done, we dedicate ourselves to caring for others. Then, somewhere along the way, we forget to take care of ourselves. We may end up feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, lonely, unimportant. Therapy is an opportunity to give ourselves the same love, kindness and understanding that we give others-- an opportunity to invest in ourselves.
As a therapist, my goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment that encourages self-reflection and personal growth. In session, I help clients with coping skills, self-esteem, assertive communication and healthy boundaries. Female empowerment is a particular passion of mine; however, I enjoy working with clients of all genders. While I am formally trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), my approach to therapy is personalized. No one approach works for everyone.
I'm currently taking new clients for teletherapy and limited in-person sessions. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Offers: Face-to-Face and Telehealth Appointments
Availability: Accepting New Telehealth Clients
Accepts: BCBS, BCC, Molina, McLaren, Medicaid, Priority Health
Private Pay: $150/session
Kimberly Walker, Intern
Hello and Welcome!
I’m Kim and I’m an intern with Meaningful Life Therapy Services – I am delighted that you find yourself exploring the fantastic staff and offerings here.
I look forward to creating a judgement-free space filled with patience, encouragement, exploration, and compassion that will empower you to reach the goals you prioritize for yourself.
I am currently a graduate student at the University of Michigan pursuing my master's in social work. I’ve spent the last 20 years preparing myself for my goal of becoming a therapist. During that time, I’ve gained valuable experience with a variety of life stressors, including Adoption, Military/First Responder experiences and family needs, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Identity Exploration, Boundary Setting, Trauma, and more.
Since no single therapeutic approach is the right fit for everyone, I plan to pursue training in many techniques and styles. As a result, I will be able to develop a customized approach to ensure our time together is as unique as your needs and experiences.
A person’s story is never over. Each moment holds the potential of a full reinvention of the mind/body/spirit. I am honored by the opportunity to join you in your odyssey of self.
[Kim will soon be offering low cost or pro-bono virtual therapy services.]
Jyotish Wiertella, LLMSW
Welcome! I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to be part of your healing journey.
Originally from Arizona, I have been residing in the beautiful Upper Penninsula of Michigan since 2001. As a member of the LGBTQ+ Community, a trauma survivor myself and someone that actively participates in my own unique growth practices, I honor diversity through the transformation process that accompanies healing.
I welcome adults of all ages providing a safe space to discover your most favorite, authentic version of yourself. Approaches are rooted in strengths-based, trauma-informed, mind, body, and belief system care. Treatment is tailored to each individual's unique needs drawing from mindfulness, body positivity, harm reduction, whole person perspective, solution focused, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT informed).
Offers: Telehealth Appointments Only
Availability: Call Directly to Inquire
Accepts: BCBS, BCC, Molina, McLaren, Medicaid, Priority Health
Private Pay: $120/session