Therapy offers an opportunity to better understand the experiences, emotions, and relationships that shape how you navigate life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, or longstanding patterns that leave you feeling stuck, we'll work together to develop greater self-understanding and create meaningful change.
Life doesn't always unfold the way we hope. Sometimes we find ourselves struggling with emotions, relationships, or experiences that feel difficult to understand or change.
Perhaps you:
Feel overwhelmed by anxiety, sadness, or persistent emotional distress.
Find yourself repeating patterns in relationships despite wanting something different.
Struggle with self-esteem, identity, or feeling secure in who you are.
Carry experiences of trauma or difficult relationships that continue to affect your present life.
Feel disconnected from yourself or others.
Want to understand yourself more deeply and develop healthier ways of navigating life's challenges.
Whatever brings you to therapy, you don't need to have everything figured out before beginning.
Therapy offers a space to slow down, become curious about your experiences, and better understand the emotional and relational patterns that have shaped your life.
Our work may involve exploring past experiences, understanding emotional responses, recognizing recurring patterns, and developing new ways of relating to yourself and others.
My approach is collaborative and thoughtful, allowing space for both understanding and change. Rather than focusing exclusively on immediate concerns, we'll work toward developing a deeper understanding of what's contributing to your difficulties and what may help you move forward.
Emrielle VanCleave
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II
Licensed in Michigan and Virginia
Registered for telehealth in Colorado and Florida
My approach to therapy is grounded in psychodynamic and attachment-based theories, which recognize how our early experiences and relationships shape the ways we understand ourselves, experience emotions, and connect with others throughout life.
Drawing from object relations theory, developmental psychology, and mentalization, I work collaboratively with clients to explore the underlying patterns that influence their emotional experiences and relationships.
My clinical approach integrates principles from several therapeutic models, including Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), Schema Therapy (ST) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I also draw upon hypnosis-informed interventions when appropriate to an individual's needs and treatment goals.
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. I aim to create a collaborative environment where we can develop a deeper understanding of your experiences while working toward meaningful and lasting change.
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel uncertain, but you don't need to have all the answers before beginning. Whether you're navigating a current challenge or hoping to better understand longstanding patterns, therapy can provide a space to explore your experiences and work toward meaningful change.
If you're interested in beginning therapy, I welcome you to schedule an initial appointment or consultation.
Hand in Hand Couples & Family Therapy does not provide emergency crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling unsafe, or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out for immediate support:
📞 Call 988 – The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7)
📞 Text HOME to 741741 – Crisis Text Line (free, 24/7 support)
🏥 Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
You are not alone. Help is available.