Welcome to Brighter Hope Counseling & Services, where we believe the #goodmentalhealthISreal.
Founder and Lead Counselor
Lorraine McKnight, MA, LPC, is a Michigan based Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)/Psychotherapist who specializes in providing culturally sensitive Talk Therapy to teens and adults. She completed her counseling degree at Eastern Michigan University and has been licensed for more than 20 years. She is also certified to provide Supervision to Michigan LLPC's. Mrs. McKnight is also a trained and Certified
Limited License Professional Counselors
Octavia Beal, MS, LLPC, While counseling is more popular now than before, the decision to seek counseling can still be a unnerving process. Recognizing and understanding our thoughts and actions can be beneficial in helping us navigate through the unsettling things life can bring our way.
I am Octavia Beal “Someone who can help”. I have been in the helping profession field for many years. I possess a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University and currently have Limited License Professional Counseling with the state of Michigan. I have a passion for helping others help themselves by empowering them to work through their challenges and difficulties faced in life.
I approach counseling from a strength-based approach with use of various therapeutic styles and techniques based on what is most befitting with the client and situation. I meet the individual where they are at and while the treatment plan is individualized the process is team effort. I approach counseling with the perspective of shared accountability in mind. It is my expectation that the client be fully committed to the counseling process to aide in the best possible treatment outcome and maintain a strong mental health balance.
Rachel L. Gerson (She/They), MA, LLPC specializes in working with folks from all walks of life who suffer from mood disorders, anxiety, dissociative tendencies, and spiritual identity crises. She works with teens, adults, couples, and families (straight, cisgendered, LGBTQ, monogamous, and polyamourous couples and families welcome), through a Strengths-Based, holistic approach, and offers sessions via HIPAA compliant Telehealth during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
If you are someone who feels different, misunderstood, like you don't "belong"; who constantly feels like you do not have permission to be yourself; who suffers from anxiety, mood disorders, dissociation, or personality disorders, I want to help you feel seen, heard, worthy, and accepted.
I use a Strengths-Based approach to help you find and feel the permission to be yourself, and through such, be able to heal the symptoms of mental illness that have presented themselves in your body and in your life. I view mental illness from a holistic perspective: depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc. are not the final diagnoses, but rather, symptoms of a deeper root issue. The brain is alerting us to let us know that we are off course from ourselves. It is my job to create a comfortable space for you to be able to come home to yourself.
I also specialize in helping folks who are energetically sensitive, and those suffering through spiritual awakenings, dark night of the soul experiences, twin flame separation, and more.
It is not often spoken about, but we can heal from a diagnoses of mental illness. I was personally diagnosed with Bipolar I when I was 20 years old. Two years later, after doing my own therapy, the diagnosis was revoked. It is my mission to help you to find the mental health that I know lives inside of you, too. It's time to feel like yourself, again.
Josie M. Kimball, MA, LLPC The pressures and issues of your everyday life can become overwhelming. Many of which you feel you can resolve on your own. But, seeking professional counseling can help to eliminate those issues more productively, beyond your ability to self-help alone. With the consistent guidance and support, you can see growth and change in the areas that matter to you the most….we become a team working towards your success. I am qualified to work with toddlers - elders. I run a group for Married Women and The Women Code Book.
Josie Kimball has been trained by Spring Arbor University, completing a master’s degree in counseling, and credentialing that meets the state of Michigan requirements for LLPCs. A master’s degree in education and a Graduate Human Resources Masters certificate, from Central University. Ph.D. student.
Counseling Intern
Sandy Kraniak, Student Intern I am currently completing my Practicum and Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Walden University. I have been a member of the American Counseling Association since 2022. Our counseling sessions will consist of talk therapy. Since you are the expert of your life, we will discuss your challenges and discover solutions that will meet your needs. It is the goal of therapy to empower you to use your inner strengths and resources so that you will be able to make the changes you want in your life. Therapy will also allow you to build your resilience and skills for future problem-solving. My approach to counseling is person-centered therapy. I will use this approach and talk therapy to support you in accomplishing your goals. My preferred clients are women and men who are survivors of child abuse and neglect or persons dealing with issues of grief or loss at any age. I look forward to meeting you so we can begin the process together.
Sandy's Internship allows us to offer free - sliding scale services for 6 sessions.
Professional Memberships:
Chi Sigma Iota/Omega Zeta Chapter 2022
American Counseling Association 2022
National Society of Leadership and Success 2020
#good mental health IS real!
Interviews: 10/23/2019 Business Talk Radio Interview