Only the best care for our clients

Individual Therapy

We offer individual therapy with children, adolescents and adults seeking support for adjustments, depression, anxiety, trauma

LGBTQ friendly therapists and support

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

- Maya Angelou

Healing starts here.

Jen Braman

LMSW-Clinical

Hi, I am Jen, Therapist and Co-Founder of Illuminate Counseling & Wellness in Newaygo. With a philosophy of strength based, humanistic, person-centered therapy, I will help you to rediscover your internal strengths by providing caring, empathetic and genuinely supportive therapy.

My office is a safe space for you to create self-awareness and compassion. My approach to therapy is offering a space where you feel heard, validated and are free to express and feel your emotions. Using empathy to listen deeply, accurately and non-judgmentally provides illumination and healing.

I would love to work with you when you are ready to explore your emotions, increase awareness of yourself and increase your self-compassion.

In addition to therapy, I also offer clinical supervision and mentoring for clinicians and women.

Angela Vargas-Avendano

LMSW-Clinical

Se Habla Español

Angela, Therapist and Co-Founder, is a Licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in providing individual and family therapy to children and adults experiencing a variety of issues; depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and parent/child relational issues. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field serving as a Clinical Social Worker, she has acquired an eclectic skill set, providing her with the necessary tools to work alongside a diverse group of clients and professionals.

Angela earned her MSW from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and also holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Spanish and minor in Psychology. She is trained in the evidence-based practices of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TFCBT). Angela also specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Angela is bilingual (Spanish and English) and understands the impact of multicultural differences.

Angela is a strong believer in the power of hope, resilience, personal growth, new beginnings, and healing. Through a shared experience in the therapeutic process, it is her wish that you will find peace, intent, resolve, and the path that lights your way to discovering your authentic self... Illuminate.

Carley Roberts, LMSW-Clinical

Carley, Therapist, is a Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her MSW from Ferris State University. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and substance use. Carley also works with couples helping to improve communication and relationship satisfaction.

Carley’s background comes from her work with the Juvenile Court, substance use therapy at Arbor Circle, medical social work at Spectrum Health, and with NC RESA as a school social worker.

Providing a safe environment and creating a strong therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance to her. Carley strives to ensure that her clients feel supported and empowered in their work together by using a client-centered approach, in which she helps clients explore what is meaningful to them.

No matter what you are dealing with, she is here to help you through it!

Celina Garcia

LLMSW - Clinical

Celina, Therapist, is a Limited Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her MSW from Grand Valley State University. She has had experience in working with both children and adults.

Celina’s background comes from her work with Bethany Christian Services Refugee Program, The YWCA Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and Family Health Care as a Behavioral Health Therapist.

Celina provides a safe environment where you can truly express yourself. She is passionate about building a therapeutic relationship with her clients and being able to provide them with support. Celina wants to help guide you on your healing journey and provide an empathic ear, skills, and resources to get you there.

Celina has always been interested in the mental health profession. She has seen people that she loves struggle with their mental health, and she could not think of a better way to help the community than to work with children, individuals, couples, or families on achieving their mental health goals.

Celina is supervised by Jennifer Braman, LMSW

Evangelina Navarro, LPC

Evangelina Navarro comes to Illuminate with a decade of experience working in the community mental health setting. She specializes in treating clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression and anger management issues. She is trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma Focused CBT. Additional trainings include: Motivational Interviewing, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, Sandtray Interventions, and Yoga & Mindfulness for Kids.

Evangelina received her Bachelor's degree from Texas A&M-University Corpus Christi in 2005 and her Master’s in Community Counseling from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan in 2007.

Prior to her experience at community mental health, Evangelina worked the previous eight years in the school and community settings and specialized in learning disabilities, ADHD, emotional and cognitive impairments. She has spent the majority of her career counseling women, men, children and teens in both individual and group settings. Evangelina is a compassionate, experienced counselor who utilizes creative interventions in her therapeutic work. Evangelina has a passion for serving the community and founded Allied for Veterans Inc. in 2015; a small non-profit dedicated to giving back to the great men and women who have served our Nation. She remains a director on their board and also has a desire to work with veterans in the community seeking counseling services.

Amanda Briggs

LMSW - Clinical

Amanda is a licensed clinician with over 15 years of experience in the field of social work. She specializes in providing treatment and support to adults and adolescents struggling with Depression, Anxiety, Trauma histories, and Adjustment disorders within the dynamics of individual, couple, and family systems.

Amanda earned her Master of Social Work degree (MSW) from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado Christian University. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Strength At Home. Amanda has also been trained as a Mental Health Integrated Medicine Provider, and she would love to help you explore how nutrition and physical activity can impact and improve your mental health treatment.

Amanda is looking forward to joining with you on your healing journey and helping you to discover the skills that you need to thrive in your life.

Nick Hadley, LMSW-Clinical

Nick, Therapist, has his Masters Degree in Social Work from Ferris State University and is happy to be able to give back to the community in which he grew up in.

Nick has experience working with youth in residential, camp and school settings. He has worked with the district court as a probation officer as an intern and is currently working in the emergency department at Corewell Health serving those in crisis.

On days he is not serving at the hospital he has joined Illuminate as an outpatient therapist working with youth and adults.

Nick is described as a friendly, laid back guy who is extremely approachable and makes his clients feel at ease quickly. He is a good listener and helps his clients to find resources and coping strategies that will help them to feel successful. Nick has a passion for social work and helping others.

your journey to wellness starts here...

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130 W. Wood St. Newaygo, MI 49337

Additional Locations:

65 State Rd., Suite C., Newaygo, MI 49337

Vera's House Office | 18 Justice, Newaygo, MI 49337

Call: +231-942-HOPE

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THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE, WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS*

The information on this website is not a substitute for therapy.