Bethany Padilla

Bethany Padilla, LPC (she/her)

Therapist

• Perinatal Mental Health Trained

Virtual Only

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Specialties:

• Anxiety

• Chronic Pain and Illness

• Coping skills

• Depression

• Disordered Eating and Body Image

• Grief and Loss

• Life Transitions

• Parenting

• Perinatal and Postpartum Therapy

• Relationships

• Self-esteem

• Stress and Burnout

• Trauma

• Women’s Health

Works with:

• Adults

• Young Adults

Modalities:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment Theory, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Integrative Therapy, Meditation, Somatic Therapy and Mindful Movement, Narrative Therapy, Person-centered Therapy

Rates:

$170/55 minute individual session - accepts BCBSM PPO & BCN

Get to know Bethany…

• Where she studied

  BS Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience
  University of Michigan

  MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  Wayne State University

  Perinatal Mental Health Trained
  Postpartum Support International

• Who is your ideal client?

  I’m passionate about working with adults coping with symptoms of chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain. I help clients take a holistic look at the mental, emotional, physical, and contextual factors that influence the experience of pain – whether it’s emotional or physical pain. I also love to work with individuals going through life transitions of all kinds, but especially the transition to motherhood. I believe transitions offer us a powerful opportunity to turn inward and reconnect with ourselves.

• Why do you like being a therapist?

  It’s an honor to be invited into the more vulnerable parts of a person’s life. I feel called to create a nonjudgmental space for others because someone first created that space for me. As Mister Rogers said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.” As a therapist, I get to help people embrace the messiness of their humanity.

• What’s something you wish people knew about therapy?

  Therapy is less about labeling and diagnosis and more about getting curious about our patterns. All behavior makes sense in context. Therapy is about gaining an understanding of how our thoughts, emotions, physical well-being, and life circumstances interact to create our experiences and learning where we can have influence over these factors. Though it may seem paradoxical, I believe change happens through self-awareness and radical acceptance of ourselves, flaws and all.

• Why can people benefit from therapy?

  Therapy offers clarity when we experience a confusing jumble of emotions and thoughts. It offers relief from chronic stress and fatigue. It provides a place to be heard and understood, supported and empowered. It’s a place to discover more about ourselves and commit to choices that will enrich our lives.

• What does “success” in therapy look like to you?

  Success in therapy is best defined by the person seeking therapy, but generally speaking, success is more than just temporary relief from symptoms. You will know you’ve had success in therapy when you feel you have the tools and skills to manage future challenges that may arise. When you no longer feel like a victim of your circumstances and are able to find joy in your daily life. 

• What’s something you’d like clients to know about how you work?

  Nothing is off limits – anything can be shared and discussed in therapy (and you won’t shock me). In fact, the more you share, the more effective therapy tends to be. I also want clients to know when it comes to therapy, you are in the driver’s seat. I jump in the passenger seat and help guide you, but it is your goals that we work toward.

A book that you think everyone should read:
When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté
The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Paul

If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
Working as a stunt double – How cool would that be?!

Beach or mountains?
Beach – I love everything about water 

If you could make a rule for a day and everyone had to follow it, what would it be?
Move slowly, allow yourself to be interrupted – i.e. “ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life” (Dallas Willard)

What is your favorite way to move your body?
Whatever feels best in the moment – sometimes Pilates, sometimes yoga, sometimes a good walk.