For appointment, contact: 616-414-0912
or angela@iacobonicounseling.com
Born and raised in metro-Detroit, I first moved across the state to attend college at GVSU. While there’s no place like home, life on the west side quickly won me over and I’ve been firmly planted here ever since!
I set out after college aiming to land professionally in a space where Creativity + Advocacy + A heart for kiddos magically intersected to create the most rewarding career ever, and I found it in clinical social work – but even more so, in play therapy. Pointing me down that path were specific people, opportunities and experiences which fostered growth and for which I remain profoundly grateful.
Fast forward a couple of years and I now find myself a Starbucks-consuming wife, mother, and child-therapist extraordinaire, who, in her spare time, enjoys exploring the lakeshore, cooking Italian cuisine, and binge-watching The Office on Netflix while folding laundry!
What to expect:
Journeying alongside a child through some of life’s most trying moments and partnering with them to overcome obstacles is a sacred calling, and my true privilege. As a clinical therapist working with children and adolescents, I strive to provide an environment wherein clients will have the authentic experience of being seen, heard, and unconditionally accepted for who they are, each and every time they walk through my door, no matter what. I enjoy helping children set and reach their personal goals by working with them to:
- understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behavior
- differentiate various feeling states and effectively regulate emotions
- develop healthy coping habits
- challenge and replace distorted thinking patterns
- face and conquer the core fears that keep them “stuck”
- process and repair following a trauma
- improve key relationships
- practice respectful, assertive, effective communication skills
- implement interpersonal boundaries
- become more self-aware
- increase empathy
- build self esteem
With emphasis on a child-centered, prescriptive approach to treatment, clients can expect to experience both directive and non-directive counseling sessions that are thoughtful, creative, and engaging. Modalities of treatment utilized include (but are not limited to) expressive sand-tray therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interventions rooted in play and art-based therapies.
But wait… there’s more!
Working with the child is only half of the equation…. parents and the family system matter too! Part of my role is often to bridge the gap in understanding and communication between a child and their caretaker(s). Facilitating joint sessions between two family members, or even hosting an entire family for a group session may be recommended during the course of treatment.
Background and Education:
Prior to launching Iacoboni Counseling, LLC I worked as a clinical therapist in two different settings; A non-profit agency in Grand Rapids, where I proudly served as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing trauma-based interventions for victims of child sexual abuse and their families; and most recently as part of a group private practice in the Jenison area, where I offered clinical therapy services to children and adolescents struggling with common childhood issues and/or trauma.
I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from Grand Valley State University and am a Clinical Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Michigan. Additionally, I am thrilled to be nearing completion of the supervision requirements to be a fully-certified play therapist in the state of Michigan.
