About Clinician
What is your Certification or License # Number?
6401009586
Where did you obtain your education? Please list degrees and/or certificates received.
Which ethnicity do you identify as?
African
How would you describe your gender?(Optional)
What languages do you offer services in?
English, Counseling
Do you offer interpretation services?
Do you have a religious affiliation?
Christianity
Preferred Pronouns
He/She/They/Them
About Service
How are you providing mental health services?
Virtual Services, In-Person Services
Client Age
Pre-Teens (11-13), Teenagers (14-19), Adults, Elders (65+)
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes
Do you offer a sliding scale
No
Insurance Accepted
What insurances do you offer?
Availity(BCBS), United Health
Specialty Areas
What are your specialty areas?
Helping clients who experience a wide range of mental wellness concerns, including, but not limited to anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, stress, and trauma. We also provide supervision for limited licensed Professional Counselors.
Message from clinician
Statement to Client
I'm so happy that you reached out for help. I am Dr. Darryl Plunkett, a Licensed Professional Counselor. You can read more about my background, education, experience, and therapy approach below.
Formal Education and Experience
I have earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University, a Master's Degree in Counseling from Chicago State University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Psychology from Park University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan and I am certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NCC) and the Center for Credentialing and Education as an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). I recently retired as the Director of the Grand Rapids Vet Center, and I am an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University.
My general areas of counseling experience and competencies derive from providing individual and group counseling to adolescents and adults who have experienced issues related to depression, anger, anxiety and interpersonal issues. I have also provided counseling to couples and families regarding relationship issues. Additionally, I have conducted individual and group counseling with sex offenders, combat veterans and those who have experienced bereavement, grief and loss.
Counseling
Counseling is a collaborative process in which the parties involved share information to provide the opportunity for self-exploration, self-discovery, change and growth in an emotionally and psychologically safe environment. In this process, I work from a wellness perspective and primarily utilize Cognitive Theory and Existentialist Philosophy. The cognitive approach is used to help individuals identify and understand the interrelationship and impact among their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The existentialist approach allows individuals the opportunity to increase their self-awareness, experience emotional and psychological freedom, and to find meaning and purpose in their existence. There are many different approaches to counseling and we will collaboratively decide which is best suited for you and your concerns. In whatever approach we use, you will be able to discuss your concerns from a perspective that involves all aspects of your culture.
The Counseling Relationship and Process
Counseling involves a formal psychological and emotional relationship in which the person receiving counseling (counselee) shares intimate details of his/her life and circumstances with the counselor. The counselor in turn, shares academic and educational information, and when appropriate, personal information with the counselee. The effectiveness of the counseling process is dependent upon the sharing of this information and the counselor's ability to display accurate empathy, unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental attitude and genuineness toward the counselee.
Normally, counseling sessions lasts 45-minutes for individuals. Using the approaches identified above, the typical counseling process involves 10-12 sessions, usually meeting weekly or bi-weekly. We will make every attempt to start on time and end on time. In the event, we are unable to attend the session; it is our individual responsibility to notify one another as far in advance as possible. If you should need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you can do so by contacting me at (616) 299-6302 and leave a message. If you experience a mental health emergency, you may call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room.
Effects, Potential Benefits and Risks
The nature of the counseling process is such that I cannot guarantee any specific results. In fact, the success of the process is largely dependent upon your willingness to actively engage in the process and take the necessary actions to meet your goals. Dependent upon your counseling plan, we may decide on "homework" assignments designed to further your chances for success in reaching your goals. Whereas, counseling offers the potential for many positive benefits such as insight, self-awareness, increased self-esteem and a more positive outlook on life, it also has the potential for negative effects. These may include painful memories, an unexpected increase in symptoms, and changes in relationships with family and friends.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is imperative to the effectiveness and success of the counseling process. Therefore, I will hold the information we discuss in the strictest of confidence, including the fact that we are involved in the counseling process. However, there are limitations to the bounds of confidentiality which I will share with you. To ensure we maintain confidentiality, we can discuss the ways we will interact in the event we see each other outside of the counseling environment; and this will include not engaging in conversations about counseling information outside of the counseling session.
Formal Education and Experience
I have earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Western Michigan University, a Master's Degree in Counseling from Chicago State University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Psychology from Park University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan and I am certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NCC) and the Center for Credentialing and Education as an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). I recently retired as the Director of the Grand Rapids Vet Center, and I am an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University.
My general areas of counseling experience and competencies derive from providing individual and group counseling to adolescents and adults who have experienced issues related to depression, anger, anxiety and interpersonal issues. I have also provided counseling to couples and families regarding relationship issues. Additionally, I have conducted individual and group counseling with sex offenders, combat veterans and those who have experienced bereavement, grief and loss.
Counseling
Counseling is a collaborative process in which the parties involved share information to provide the opportunity for self-exploration, self-discovery, change and growth in an emotionally and psychologically safe environment. In this process, I work from a wellness perspective and primarily utilize Cognitive Theory and Existentialist Philosophy. The cognitive approach is used to help individuals identify and understand the interrelationship and impact among their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The existentialist approach allows individuals the opportunity to increase their self-awareness, experience emotional and psychological freedom, and to find meaning and purpose in their existence. There are many different approaches to counseling and we will collaboratively decide which is best suited for you and your concerns. In whatever approach we use, you will be able to discuss your concerns from a perspective that involves all aspects of your culture.
The Counseling Relationship and Process
Counseling involves a formal psychological and emotional relationship in which the person receiving counseling (counselee) shares intimate details of his/her life and circumstances with the counselor. The counselor in turn, shares academic and educational information, and when appropriate, personal information with the counselee. The effectiveness of the counseling process is dependent upon the sharing of this information and the counselor's ability to display accurate empathy, unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental attitude and genuineness toward the counselee.
Normally, counseling sessions lasts 45-minutes for individuals. Using the approaches identified above, the typical counseling process involves 10-12 sessions, usually meeting weekly or bi-weekly. We will make every attempt to start on time and end on time. In the event, we are unable to attend the session; it is our individual responsibility to notify one another as far in advance as possible. If you should need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you can do so by contacting me at (616) 299-6302 and leave a message. If you experience a mental health emergency, you may call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room.
Effects, Potential Benefits and Risks
The nature of the counseling process is such that I cannot guarantee any specific results. In fact, the success of the process is largely dependent upon your willingness to actively engage in the process and take the necessary actions to meet your goals. Dependent upon your counseling plan, we may decide on "homework" assignments designed to further your chances for success in reaching your goals. Whereas, counseling offers the potential for many positive benefits such as insight, self-awareness, increased self-esteem and a more positive outlook on life, it also has the potential for negative effects. These may include painful memories, an unexpected increase in symptoms, and changes in relationships with family and friends.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is imperative to the effectiveness and success of the counseling process. Therefore, I will hold the information we discuss in the strictest of confidence, including the fact that we are involved in the counseling process. However, there are limitations to the bounds of confidentiality which I will share with you. To ensure we maintain confidentiality, we can discuss the ways we will interact in the event we see each other outside of the counseling environment; and this will include not engaging in conversations about counseling information outside of the counseling session.