Pietruck Therapy Services
Therapy Services
Courtney Porretta, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
– Michigan State University
Master of Social Work
– Michigan State University
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Courtney
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I would be working with plants in some type of way, either in a greenhouse or as a florist.
What is your favorite quote?
“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” -Henry David Thoreau
A book that you think everyone should read:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
What is your favorite way to move your body?
My favorite way of moving my body is either by walking or dancing.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
I love to travel and explore, whether it’s a new restaurant in town or a new city in a different country. Having an experience and embracing the world around is life giving to me.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client would be someone who is engaged in therapy and who has a desire for internal change. My ideal client is creative, deep, and honest.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I like being a therapist because I find purpose in fostering a sacred place where people can reconnect to their truest, most authentic selves. It’s an honor to belong to a field that was designed solely to minimize suffering and enhance quality of life.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Something I wish people knew about therapy is that vulnerability is a strength, that once trusted in, can lead to creativity, growth, belonging, and love.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
Therapy has the potential to be beneficial in a variety of ways. Therapy can be healing and transformative. It increases self esteem, gives people skills to overcome life’s obstacles, and improves the way people communicate and relate to the world around them.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I am a strength based, client focused therapist, who has a kind, gentle approach. It is imperative to me to meet a person where they are at emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and also create a safe environment where old patterns can be challenged and new ones can be formed.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
To me, “success” in therapy has different looks, from a person choosing to be open to the experience of therapy to a person experiencing positive changes in different aspects of life because of their work in therapy.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
The “stigma” of therapy prevents the world from becoming a healthier, happier place. Mental health is a core aspect of every human’s life that needs as much attention as the physical and spiritual components.
Populations:
Tweens 11-12, Teens 13-19 & Young Adults
Treatment Modalities:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Creative Expression/Art Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Strength-Based Therapy
Professional Specializations
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Coping Skills
- Cultivating joy
- Depression
- Emotional Regulation
- Empowerment-Based
- Finding your truth
- Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
- Insomnia
- Life transitions
- Mindfulness
- Personal Empowerment
- Relationships
- Self-Esteem
- Social Skills
- Stress
- Work/Life Balance
Courtney Porretta, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
– Michigan State University
Master of Social Work
– Michigan State University
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Courtney
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I would be working with plants in some type of way, either in a greenhouse or as a florist.
What is your favorite quote?
“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” -Henry David Thoreau
A book that you think everyone should read:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
What is your favorite way to move your body?
My favorite way of moving my body is either by walking or dancing.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
I love to travel and explore, whether it’s a new restaurant in town or a new city in a different country. Having an experience and embracing the world around is life giving to me.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client would be someone who is engaged in therapy and who has a desire for internal change. My ideal client is creative, deep, and honest.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I like being a therapist because I find purpose in fostering a sacred place where people can reconnect to their truest, most authentic selves. It’s an honor to belong to a field that was designed solely to minimize suffering and enhance quality of life.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Something I wish people knew about therapy is that vulnerability is a strength, that once trusted in, can lead to creativity, growth, belonging, and love.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
Therapy has the potential to be beneficial in a variety of ways. Therapy can be healing and transformative. It increases self esteem, gives people skills to overcome life’s obstacles, and improves the way people communicate and relate to the world around them.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I am a strength based, client focused therapist, who has a kind, gentle approach. It is imperative to me to meet a person where they are at emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and also create a safe environment where old patterns can be challenged and new ones can be formed.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
To me, “success” in therapy has different looks, from a person choosing to be open to the experience of therapy to a person experiencing positive changes in different aspects of life because of their work in therapy.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
The “stigma” of therapy prevents the world from becoming a healthier, happier place. Mental health is a core aspect of every human’s life that needs as much attention as the physical and spiritual components.
Populations:
Tweens 11-12, Teens 13-19 & Young Adults
Treatment Modalities:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Creative Expression/Art Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Strength-Based Therapy
Professional Specializations
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Coping Skills
- Cultivating Joy
- Depression
- Emotional Regulation
- Empowerment-Based
- Finding Your Truth
- Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
- Insomnia
- Life Transitions
- Mindfulness
- Personal Empowerment
- Relationships
- Self-Esteem
- Social Skills
- Stress
- Work/Life Balance
Background
Courtney has clinical training working in residential treatment facilities, working side-by-side with children and their parents to teach and encourage mindfulness, positive replacement behaviors, and increase self-worth. She also has experience being a case manager where she supported her clients through providing crisis management skills and co-developing new ways of coping, communicating, and problem-solving. Courtney has been trained as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) for children on the autism spectrum. In this role, she provided home-based therapy where she implemented Applied Behavioral Analysis strategies that strengthened her clients’ language and social skills and supported them as they made positive behavioral changes. She is currently a Certified Digital Health and Wellness Professional, which means she has basic knowledge of the neurological effects on the brain during extensive technology usage and has learned interventions to help families integrate healthy boundaries with screen time.
