Pietruck Therapy Services
Therapy Services
Cheri Antonow, LLMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Social Work
– University of Eastern Michigan
Master of Social Work
–University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services:
Psychotherapist
Location:
Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Cheri
What is your favorite quote?
“Our journey starts with an understanding that no great good can be done for people if we don’t listen to them first.” -Cornelius Minor
A book that you think everyone should read:
“The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse” by Charlie Mackesy.
As a child, What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Social Worker, but I also wanted to be a professional swimmer and swim in the Olympics.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
Being by water, reading a good book, or feeling grounded by standing barefoot in the grass.
What is your favorite place?
West Michigan! I enjoy being by the water and going lighthouse hunting.
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I would be a nurse or have a position in healthcare.
What is your go-to “feel good” song?
I have two… Peter Bjorn, “Young Folks” and Toto, “Africa”.
What is your favorite way to move your body?
Yoga or lifting weights
Who is your ideal client?
I think it’s really brave to come to therapy. With that being said, my ideal client is someone who decided to “walk through the door” and show up. What a brave act! For someone to “show up” not necessarily knowing what to expect but being willing to try it anyway. That shows me someone is willing to take their health into their own hands and is willing to do the work, by seeking that additional support. Anyone willing to do that is an ideal client.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I like being a therapist because it focuses on the importance of the client feeling seen and heard, possibly in a way they have never experienced before. Everyone deserves to feel that way and I enjoy being a part of it.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
If you feel condemnatory by a particular therapist, it may not be a good fit! You should never feel like you need to protect yourself from your therapist. Yes, it may take time to build a trusting relationship, and therapy can be complex, however, if you are finding that you are continuing to struggle and feel like they are being hyper-critical, it may not be a good fit and that’s okay.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
Therapy contributes to an individual’s well-being, which allows them to live a healthier lifestyle.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I think it’s essential to create a safe healing space for my clients as well as knowing that therapy is a collaborative effort. I would like a client to know that they are the experts of their own lives and while I do not have all the answers, together, working as a team, and knowing the importance of our work together, that is what will lead to better outcomes.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
When I think about successes in therapy, it doesn’t have to look like a huge life accomplishment. Success is having an aha moment during a session. It could be completing a task or reaching a goal that may have been difficult for you. I believe in taking one step at a time, day by day, and knowing success in therapy could be big or small and still deserves to be celebrated.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
Stigma regarding therapy can be tricky. For multiple reasons, someone may not feel comfortable with the idea of therapy, and that’s okay. It is not my job to judge someone who may not be comfortable with the idea of therapy. Everyone has their reasons, as no one fits into a one-size-fits-all category with their comfort around therapy. All I can do is be a resource for questions, concerns, and ideas.
Populations:
Kids, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Behavior Counseling
Breath work
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Compassion Focused Therapy
Creative Expression
Creative Expression/Art Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy
Expressive Therapy
Family Systems
Holistic Therapy
Integrative Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Meditation
Meditation and Mindful Movement
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychoeducation - Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
- ADHD
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Attachment
Behavioral Problems
Bullying
Bullying and Social Skills
Coping Skills
Cultivating Joy
Depression
Developmental Disabilities
Dual Diagnosis
Educators
Emotional Regulation
Empowerment-Based
Finding Your Truth
Gender Identity/Body Dysmorphic Disorder
HAES (Health At Every Size)
Geriatrics
Grief and Loss
Healers and Healthcare workers
Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
Infertility
Insomnia
Integrative/Holistic Therapy
Kink Friendly
LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
Life Transitions
Meditation
Mindfulness
Parenting
Personal Empowerment
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relationships
Self-Esteem
Sexual Harassment
Stress
Trauma
Type-A Personality
Women’s Health & Postpartum
Work/Life Balance
Cheri Antonow, LLMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Social Work
– University of Eastern Michigan
Master of Social Work
–University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services:
Psychotherapist
Location:
Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Cheri
What is your favorite quote?
“Our journey starts with an understanding that no great good can be done for people if we don’t listen to them first.” -Cornelius Minor
A book that you think everyone should read:
“The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse” by Charlie Mackesy.
As a child, What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Social Worker, but I also wanted to be a professional swimmer and swim in the Olympics.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
Being by water, reading a good book, or feeling grounded by standing barefoot in the grass.
What is your favorite place?
West Michigan! I enjoy being by the water and going lighthouse hunting.
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I would be a nurse or have a position in healthcare.
What is your go-to “feel good” song?
I have two… Peter Bjorn, “Young Folks” and Toto, “Africa”.
What is your favorite way to move your body?
Yoga or lifting weights
Who is your ideal client?
I think it’s really brave to come to therapy. With that being said, my ideal client is someone who decided to “walk through the door” and show up. What a brave act! For someone to “show up” not necessarily knowing what to expect but being willing to try it anyway. That shows me someone is willing to take their health into their own hands and is willing to do the work, by seeking that additional support. Anyone willing to do that is an ideal client.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I like being a therapist because it focuses on the importance of the client feeling seen and heard, possibly in a way they have never experienced before. Everyone deserves to feel that way and I enjoy being a part of it.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
If you feel condemnatory by a particular therapist, it may not be a good fit! You should never feel like you need to protect yourself from your therapist. Yes, it may take time to build a trusting relationship, and therapy can be complex, however, if you are finding that you are continuing to struggle and feel like they are being hyper-critical, it may not be a good fit and that’s okay.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
Therapy contributes to an individual’s well-being, which allows them to live a healthier lifestyle.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I think it’s essential to create a safe healing space for my clients as well as knowing that therapy is a collaborative effort. I would like a client to know that they are the experts of their own lives and while I do not have all the answers, together, working as a team, and knowing the importance of our work together, that is what will lead to better outcomes.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
When I think about successes in therapy, it doesn’t have to look like a huge life accomplishment. Success is having an aha moment during a session. It could be completing a task or reaching a goal that may have been difficult for you. I believe in taking one step at a time, day by day, and knowing success in therapy could be big or small and still deserves to be celebrated.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
Stigma regarding therapy can be tricky. For multiple reasons, someone may not feel comfortable with the idea of therapy, and that’s okay. It is not my job to judge someone who may not be comfortable with the idea of therapy. Everyone has their reasons, as no one fits into a one-size-fits-all category with their comfort around therapy. All I can do is be a resource for questions, concerns, and ideas.
Populations:
Kids, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Behavior Counseling
Breath work
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Compassion Focused Therapy
Creative Expression
Creative Expression/Art Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy
Expressive Therapy
Family Systems
Holistic Therapy
Integrative Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Meditation
Meditation and Mindful Movement
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychoeducation - Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
- ADHD
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Attachment
Behavioral Problems
Bullying
Bullying and Social Skills
Coping Skills
Cultivating Joy
Depression
Developmental Disabilities
Dual Diagnosis
Educators
Emotional Regulation
Empowerment-Based
Finding Your Truth
Gender Identity/Body Dysmorphic Disorder
HAES (Health At Every Size)
Geriatrics
Grief and Loss
Healers and Healthcare workers
Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
Infertility
Insomnia
Integrative/Holistic Therapy
Kink Friendly
LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
Life Transitions
Meditation
Mindfulness
Parenting
Personal Empowerment
Psychodynamic Therapy
Relationships
Self-Esteem
Sexual Harassment
Stress
Trauma
Type-A Personality
Women’s Health & Postpartum
Work/Life Balance
Background
Cheri Antonow is an LLMSW who received her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s degree from The University of Michigan in the area of Child Welfare and Families. Following school, Cheri has experience working as a school social worker and has a passion for working with students to be their authentic selves and cultivating meaningful support for the children and those who love them. Cheri also is experienced in creating and facilitating group and individual counseling sessions for students to help with their targeted behaviors in special education as well as Tier 1 and 2 interventions to overcome behavioral concerns. Cheri has collaborated with families/guardians to build trusting relationships not only to confirm that care is being instilled, but thoughtful planning to ensure that the students would thrive. Cheri has worked with children and adults during all stages of life, working with those who have experienced social/emotional/behavioral difficulties, grief, anxiety-related disorders, trauma, recovery, depression, autism spectrum disorder, other health impairments, emotional impairments and attention deficit disorders.
