Newaygo, MI Local Support & Community Resources

Welcome to the vibrant practice of Jennifer Braman, a dedicated clinical social worker and therapist with over 17 years of experience. At Illuminate Counseling and Wellness, Jennifer offers individualized counseling services for adults, couples, and children. She is passionate about guiding her clients toward a meaningful and purposeful life, specializing in personal growth, emotion management, and self-esteem enhancement. With a strong foundation in strength-based, humanistic, and person-centered therapy, Jennifer is committed to helping individuals rediscover their internal strength through caring, empathetic, and genuinely supportive counseling. She has a particular focus on treating depression and anxiety, and enjoys collaborating with couples and families to enhance communication and problem-solving skills. Jennifer's hope is that clients will experience immediate relief and empowerment as they embark on their therapeutic journey together. Let Jennifer be your companion on this path toward healing and growth.

Sharyl Lynne Stembaugh is a compassionate Clinical Social Worker and Therapist specializing in supporting those facing challenges such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), trauma, PTSD, and addiction. With a commitment to fostering change, she empowers clients of all ages—from preteens to elders—to create lives worth living. Sharyl utilizes evidence-based practices, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Christian Counseling, to assist individuals and couples in their healing journeys. She recognizes that overcoming obstacles such as substance use, marital distress, anxiety, and depression requires tailored approaches, and she excels in teaching coping skills and mindfulness techniques that enhance focus and emotional regulation. In her non-judgmental and confidential practice, Sharyl builds an atmosphere of trust and acceptance, allowing her clients to openly explore their goals, dreams, and desires. With her expertise, she is dedicated to walking alongside each individual in the pursuit of their best life, inviting them to take the first step toward wellness today.

Angela Vargas-Avendano is a Licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in individual and family therapy for adults, children, and adolescents facing a variety of challenges, including trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, domestic violence, adjustment disorders, and parent/child relational struggles. She believes deeply in the power of hope, resilience, personal growth, new beginnings, and healing. Through the therapeutic process, Angela aims to help her clients find peace, intent, and resolve, guiding them on their journey to discover their authentic selves. With nearly 15 years of experience in the mental health field, she has honed her skills and is trained in evidence-based practices such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TFCBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As a bilingual therapist fluent in Spanish and English, Angela is proud to provide effective, culturally competent services to a diverse population.