Behavioral Health Program

Isaac Ateek, Psychiatry Physician Associate
(he/him)

Whether you’re seeking help with prescriptions, dosage adjustments, or ongoing psychiatric medication management, Isaac’s expertise can help you manage your health needs. Complete the Medication Management Interest Form to connect with Isaac.

Naheim Rida, LMSW
(he/him)

I view therapy as a unique opportunity to reflect on your identity and experiences, and to lay the foundations for healing and thriving. I hope together we can co-create a space that is safe, inviting, and accepting where you can truly express yourself. I have a passion for offering LGBTQ+ affirming services and helping you navigate through life changes, grief, anxiety, depression, and overcoming trauma. I take a holistic and narrative approach to therapy, using multiple evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. In my free time, I enjoy watching films, drawing, and journaling.

Profile Details:

Naheim has a Masters in Social Work, 2 years of experience (excluding internship), and specializes in LGBTQ+ issues, Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Life Transitions. Methods used in his practice include CBT, ACT, DBT, IFS, Motivational Interviewing, Strengths Based, Narrative Therapy, Problem-solving and Solution Oriented Therapy.

Lizz Baarman, LLMSW
(she/they)

Hi there! I’m Lizz, I am a Social Worker who uses a client centered approach mixed with CBT techniques. I have an upbeat, warm, and friendly personality and focus on personal connections while building solutions together. I am particularly helpful for clients struggling with anxiety, codependency, people pleasing tendencies, ADHD, as well as a variety of other issues. I also offer counseling for sexual health or couples, including ethically non-monogamous or polyamorous couples/individuals. I am experienced in serving the LGBTQIA+ community as well as working with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. I believe each person has their own unique journey in life and see it as an honor to help someone find their path.

Profile Details:

Lizz has a BA in Psychology, Masters in Social Work, and 2 years of experience (excluding internship). They see clients ranging from young adults to seniors (15-108 years). Areas of expertise include Anxiety, Codependency, People Pleasing, Relationship issues, Sexual Health, Polyamory and Ethical non-monogamy, Depression, Trauma, LGBTQ issues, Couples. 

Ariel Gant, LPC 
(she/her)

Hey, I’m Ariel. My therapy practice focuses on client-centered, strengths-based approach. I am finishing my EMDR certification (training completed in 2022) and hope to eventually obtain certification in DBT and LPC supervision. I serve clients ages 12+ with focuses on anxiety, depression, self-harm, and trauma. My intervention methods include EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), Motivational interviewing, and TF-CBT (trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy). In my free time, I enjoy traveling, photography, arts/crafts, video games, and writing. I hope to someday write a book!

Profile Details:

Ariel has a Masters in Counseling and 7+ years of experience. She serves clients 12+ years.

Eric Vest, LMSW

(he/they)

I am a queer and pagan therapist who specializes in working with queer, pagan, kinky, and ENM/poly clients. I use an eclectic range of interventions to meet the needs of the client I am working with. I hope to create a partnership as we explore what is bringing you into therapy and blocking you from achieving your most authentic self. My focus has been on gender, sexuality, sex, and relationships because…well, how could it not? They are everywhere: in our music, our textbooks, in advertisements, our daydreams, our politics. They are sources of joy and anguish, grief and celebration, trauma and growth.

I believe you can not try and help people reach their goals without considering the context of the world we live in. Inevitably my work has expanded into considerations of justice and equity as we will need to address how systematic forms of oppression are in play and we will consider these in our work together. I believe in a humanistic approach to therapy, focusing on free will and self-discovery. Together we will make a plan that is as unique as you are and work together to accomplish all of the goals you set!

Cham S., LLPC

I believe that we are the authors of our own stories and lives, and although there may be forces outside of our control that impose themselves on our lives, we can still choose to take control of our own narratives. Through support, respect, and acceptance, we can cultivate wellness and wholeness of the mind, body, and spirit.

I completed my mental health counseling education at the University of Detroit Mercy and completed my internship experience at Affirmations. I provide trauma-informed counseling for individuals, families and groups, specifically folks within intersectional and marginalized communities. My theoretical orientation is a person-centered trauma-informed CBT, with a focus on strengths, the client’s developmental journey as well as a feminist and family systems approach.

Stacey Molinaro, LMSW, Supervising Therapist
(she/her)

Hello! I’m Stacey, the Supervising Therapist at Affirmations. In addition to supervising our wonderful social work students, I support the Behavioral Health program at Affirmations through program development and networking.
As a therapist, I focus on adults (18+), with a special interest in older adults (65+). I have spent 15 years helping those with dementia and their families. While I’m passionate about serving this population, I am also interested in helping clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, BiPolar and interpersonal challenges.

My therapeutic philosophy is that the client and therapist are a team, working together to identify personal strengths, abilities and goals. Together we will identify barriers to personal growth, look for ways to address those barriers, and support change through a mix of methods like CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions-Focused treatment and narrative therapy. I believe you are the expert in your needs and my role is to support your journey by offering tools and feedback along the way.

I am child-free by choice, but a pet mother to my cat, Luna, and my dog, Vito (whom you may encounter if you visit the center in person.) I enjoy photography, trying new breweries and restaurants, and I’m a big true crime and paranormal nerd. I love making people laugh and find humor to be healing.

Profile Details:

Stacey has a Bachelor of Social Work, Masters in Social Work, and 15 years of experience. She sees clients 18+ and is certified as a Dementia Practitioner. Methods used in her practice include Strengths Based, Solutions-Focused, MI, and CBT.

Cate Spinney, Director of Health and Human Services, LMSW, CAADC, CCS
(she/her)

Welcome! We are so happy to have you here.

My practice is rooted in the belief that therapy is a partnership based on trust, understanding, and authenticity. My expertise lies in trauma-informed care, substance use and addiction, and gender-affirming care. I am currently training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with plans on pursuing full certification. My 17+ years of experience in this field has taught me that, more often than not, the hardest step is the first one. If you’re ready to take the next step toward positive change, I invite you to reach out!

Profile Details:

Cate has a Bachelor of Psychology, Masters in Social Work, and 17 years of experience. She sees clients of all ages. Her specializations include Alcohol and Drug Addiction (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor – MCBAP), EMDR Trained, TF-CBT Certified, Child and Family Services. Methods used in her practice include CBT, MI, EMDR, LGBTQ+ CBT (in progress), Gender Identity.

Leo Parikshak, Intern

(he/him)

I am a first-year MSW student at the University of Michigan and I’m very excited to start gaining experience as a mental health provider! In the past, I volunteered as a crisis line worker with the Ozone House for a year. I am passionate about the LGBTQ+ community, especially relating to gender identity, and I hope to serve adolescents and young adults. I am also an avid singer and musician, and can often be found singing with my university men’s choir and my acapella group. It would be a dream of mine to incorporate music into my career, and I am a huge proponent of music as a creative outlet and constructive coping mechanism. Overall, I am open-minded and looking forward to learning as much as I can!