COUNSELING SERVICES
ANXIETY
DEATH ANXIETY
DEPRESSION
COUPLES COUNSELING
COUNSELING FOR COUNSELORS
COUNSELING FOR PASTORS
EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
GRIEF/LOSS
IDENTITY FORMATION
INTIMACY AND RELATIONSHIPS
MEN'S ISSUES
MARRIAGE COUNSELING
SEXUAL ABUSE RECOVERY
SEXUALITY
SPIRITUALITY
STRESS MANAGEMENT/
COPING
Anxiety
Anxiety can be a panicky, groundless feeling. It can come on without warning and seemingly out of nowhere. I help clients explore the root of their anxiety and regain a sense of control over their life.
Depression
Everyone has felt a little down before, but not everyone has felt the crushing loneliness, pit-in-your-stomach, weight-on-your-shoulders hopelessness of depression. Right now it might feel like no one can help, but what do you have to lose? I do more than teach proper techniques to avoid bad feelings. I support clients in seeking out purpose and freedom.
Counseling Services for Counselors/Pastors
Individuals who provide counseling services for others tend to have more well developed defense mechanisms. It is helpful to have someone who is able to manage the nuance of cutting through the B.S. while still allowing for a space free of judgement--a space where someone who is used to helping others can let their guard down and explore themselves more deeply. Even if you have the skills to help others, oftentimes counselors don't take the time to help themselves. I attempt to create a space where well trained counselors are able to use their own skills to walk through daily stressers, trauma, and the human experience--since all people are human and are allowed to have the same struggles.
Existential Therapy
Existential Therapy deals with 5 common core human struggles that are identified cross culturally. These 5 common struggles are the inevitability of death, the responsibility of freedom, the inescapable existential isolation, the sense of meaningfulness or meaninglessness, and identity. I help guide clients in wrestling with these concerning topics, accepting the reality of their situation, and maturing into a person who can come to peace with and be satisfied with their life.
MY WORK
Everyone goes through difficult seasons of life, and at some point everyone needs a little help. Whether you are seeking peace from inner turmoil, struggling to let go of a lost love one, battling to keep your marriage alive, or exploring new growth, it's important to have a trained professional to help you along the way. I use traditional time-tested counseling approaches combined with the newest developments in the field to provide a personalized counseling experience. Every person is different, and that is why a tailored approach to counseling is helpful in dealing with your unique struggles. It is my job to create a therapeutic experience that can help you develop a life-story (or personal narrative) that you are proud to call your own.
ABOUT ME
I grew up in Michigan and understand the unique struggles of living in this area. Michigan is different, and you need a counselor who understands the culture. Currently, I work in Grand Rapids--the heart of West Michigan--at The Fountain Hill Center. There I provide counseling for individuals, couples, and families for the issues listed on the services page. Prior to this, I refined my counseling skills at Grand Rapids Counseling Services where I counseled individuals, couples, and families with an assortment of difficulties. In the past I worked at Hope Network and Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University, a Master of Arts in Educational Ministries from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Spring Arbor University.
Blake Kooi
MA, LPC
FIND ME
OPENING HOURS:
Mon: 9am - 9pm
Tue: 9am - 5pm
Wed: 9am - 5pm
Thur: 9am - 9pm
Fri: 9am - 5pm
Book
Waverly May is visiting Lake Michigan for the first time. But what does she hear as she walks down the path towards the beach? Are those monsters roaring? With dragons, slime monsters, and ogres on the loose, how can Waverly May survive? With the help of her creative parents, Waverly May learns that she can tame any monster that comes her way! In this delightful children’s story, the seemingly irrational fears that children experience are validated and turned into opportunities for bravery, growth, and adventure. Blake and Becky Kooi are licensed counselors who use their knowledge of child development to empower children and adults to cope with the fears, frustrations, and fulfillment of growing up. Through their work as counselors, Blake and Becky have noticed that many mental and emotional struggles come from how people have been taught to react to life’s obstacles. In Waverly May and the Monsters of Lake Michigan, children ages 4 to 9 will learn to overcome their fears while parents of all ages will learn to join their children in that battle.