Autana Family Therapy Center

11/17/2025

November 13th through November 19th is Transgender Awareness Week, a week dedicated to visibility, celebration, and care for the transgender community. As part of our mission to best support our transgender clients and community, we want to spotlight the amazing work done by Affirmations Community Center, an organization serving Southeast Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community since 1989.

Affirmations runs a wide range of social events, support groups, and creative groups. They also offer no-cost medical care and affordable mental health services.

They have also curated a comprehensive list of LGBTQ+ affirming community resources on their website, including affirming resources related to food, clothing, housing, legal, employment, recovery, business, spirituality, and more.

The work Affirmations does is incredibly valuable and so needed right now, and we’re grateful for all the resources they’ve gathered and continue to develop for this community.

We encourage you to learn more, follow, volunteer, donate, and support their mission at goaffirmations.org

11/10/2025

As a caregiver, you know the holiday season can be both joyful AND exhausting. With so many activities, parties, and other commitments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are 3 tips to make holiday planning a little less stressful for your family:

✨ Start the conversation early:

Before the season gets hectic, talk with your kids about what matters most to them during the holidays, and share your own perspectives. You might be surprised what they value most! Having an open conversation can help your whole family prioritize and ensure everyone’s needs are met.

✨ Name the stress:

Acknowledge that the holidays can bring both pleasure AND pressure, and that’s ok. Let your kids know that it’s ok to share difficult emotions during this time, and that you are there to listen and adapt plans if needed.

✨ Collaborate on boundaries:

Decide together which events or obligations are most important, and which can be skipped or shortened. Normalize the importance of space and rest for both you and your kids.

✨ Check in regularly:

Things may change as the season goes on, and you or your kids might need a break or to cancel plans unexpectedly. Check in at least once a week with how your kids are handling the busy season, and make adjustments if needed.

Holidays are about connection, not perfection.

If your family could use support navigating communication or stress this season, our therapists are here for you. Our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

11/03/2025

As the holiday season starts, you may find yourself pulled in many different directions. It can be hard to keep your priorities straight. Here are a few tips to help reduce that feeling of overwhelm:

✨ Pick your priorities:

Make a short list of what actually matters most to you this season, not all the things you think you “should” do. Maybe you really want to go to a cider mill, and you’re happy to skip the nighttime holiday lights. This helps you decide what to actually put on your calendar vs what you can let go of stress-free.

✨ Say no with kindness:

It’s okay to turn down plans that you aren’t excited for or that don’t fit around your other priorities. While it can be uncomfortable to turn down a friend or other loved one, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can simply say something kind, like “Thank you for inviting me. I’m going to rest that day, but I hope you have a great time!”

✨ Keep up your self care:

During a busy season, it’s easy to let the basics slip, but it’s important to keep these healthy habits up! Getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and making time for rest matter just as much as studying or socializing.

✨ Ask for support:

It’s totally normal for this time to feel like a lot. When you start to feel stressed, or you just need some support, talk to a family member, friend, counselor, or other trusted adult. Even just one conversation can help lighten the load.

The holidays can be both exciting AND tiring. It’s okay to slow down and make them work for you.

And if you’d like some extra support this season, we’re here to help. Our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

11/03/2025

🌿 We are honored to be recognized by Representative MacDonell as her October Small Business of the Month!

At Autana, our mission has always been to create a compassionate and inclusive space where individuals and families can grow, heal, and thrive. Thank you, Representative MacDonell, for this meaningful acknowledgment — and thank you to our community for your continued trust and support. We’re so grateful to do this work every day. 🌟

This past week, I was proud to honor Autana Family Therapy Center as my October Small Business of the Month!

Autana’s work is grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and a commitment to helping people thrive. They’ve built a welcoming space where everyone feels supported and valued, helping to improve the well-being of our entire community. Congrats to Colleen and Jenn on this well-earned recognition!

10/27/2025

🌿 Stepping into a new space for the first time can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive at our counseling practice.

At Autana Family Therapy Center, our office is designed to feel calm, welcoming, and supportive:

✨ A cozy waiting area where you can settle in (and grab a snack!)

✨ Lots of craft supplies, books, toys, and fidgets to engage with

✨ A large group room with our zen den, a sand tray, a doll house, and more

✨ Three private offices for individual and family sessions with soft lighting, comfy chairs, relaxing music, and calming artwork

♥️ Know that we’re here to make this a safe, supportive environment for you. Whether you’re here for group therapy, family sessions, or one-on-one support, we want you to feel comfortable from the moment you walk in the door.

Any ideas for what else you’d like to see added? Let us know!

And if you’re looking for some extra support, our counseling practice in Troy is currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

10/23/2025

For more information and to RSVP, check out our form: https://forms.gle/SukXYWJzBuQNNFmZ7

10/20/2025

🧠 October is ADHD Awareness Month, and a good time to reflect on how you can best support the children in your life with ADHD. Every child’s experience is different, but here are a few tips that can help:

✨ Model self-compassion. Kids with ADHD often feel like they’re “too much” or “not enough.” Show them that mistakes and setbacks are a normal part of learning. Practice speaking kindly to yourself so they can see what that looks like.

✨ Focus on strengths. ADHD comes with challenges, but also creativity, energy, and out-of-the-box thinking. Point out and celebrate what your child does well to build confidence and motivation.

✨ Provide structure with flexibility. Routines help, but so does allowing space for adjustment when things don’t go perfectly.

✨ Collaborate with school and community supports. Teachers, counselors, and community resources can be part of your team. You don’t have to do it all alone.

At our practice, our therapists provide ADHD-informed support for kids, teens, young adults, and families. If your family is navigating ADHD and looking for practical, affirming strategies, we’re here to help. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

10/17/2025

Love our new name but not confident how to say it? We got you!!!!

We are now Autana Family Therapy Center!✨💜🌿

10/13/2025

🥳 We’re back with our first networking event of the fall season! Come celebrate our rebrand and connect with other mental health professionals ♥️

Are you looking for internship opportunities or professional connections in the mental health and wellness field? Or do you have valuable insights, internship or job opportunities, or resources to share?

Then we’d love for you to join us at Autana Family Therapy Center for an evening of connection, conversation, and delicious charcuterie.

All mental health professionals, students, and friends in health and wellness are welcome! Bring your business cards, flyers, and anything else you’d like to share with the group.

📅 When: Tuesday, October 28th, 5pm - 7pm

🌳 Where: 755 W Big Beaver Rd, Suite 475, Troy, Michigan 48084

What to expect:

✨ 5pm - 5:30pm : Open networking - grab a snack and settle in!

✨ 5:30pm - 6:30pm : JAM session (Just A Minute!) – Share who you are and what you're looking for in just one minute - whether it's an internship or job opportunity, a referral, or a resource!

✨ 6:30pm - 7pm : Follow up with anyone you want to further connect with

🔗 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/SukXYWJzBuQNNFmZ7

Please be sure to RSVP so we can prepare our space and add you to our Attendee Spotlight Presentation slides.

Past events have been incredibly well attended, and we will move to a larger space in our building if needed to accommodate everyone who RSVPs!

We can’t wait to see you there!

10/06/2025

🌈 National Coming Out Day is this Saturday, and it’s a reminder that your story is yours to share, in your own way, and on your own timeline.

If you’re thinking about coming out to loved ones, here are a few things to keep in mind:

✨ Go at your own pace. There’s no deadline. It’s okay to wait until you feel ready.

✨ Pick a safe person. Start with someone you trust: a friend, family member, or other adult who has shown kindness and support before.

✨ Choose the right time and place. Think about when and where you’ll feel most comfortable: after dinner, on the weekend, in your room, outdoors, or even over text.

✨ Have extra support ready. Line up a friend, family member, or counselor you can connect with afterward to talk more if you need it.

💜 Coming out can feel exciting, scary, or both, and all your feelings are valid. Whether you decide to come out to someone you love now, later, or not at all, your identity is valid and you deserve to feel safe, respected, and affirmed.

If you’d like a supportive space to talk through your identity and relationships, our practice offers LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy for children, teens, young adults, and families, and we are currently welcoming new clients. To get started, visit our website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

10/03/2025

🍂 New season, new name! We’re excited to share that ARISE Counseling Center is now Autana Family Therapy Center. 🌿

This change reflects our growth and the depth of the work we do with children, teens, and families.

💙 While our name and look are changing, one thing will never change: our commitment to providing compassionate, inclusive care for every client we serve.

✨ Same team, same care, just a new name.

Read through this post to learn what’s changing, what’s not, and why this new chapter matters to us.

And if you’re a client, know that there’s nothing you need to do on your end! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

For more information (and to see our new look!), visit our newly updated website: autanafamilytherapycenter.com

Thank you to all of our community for being with us in this new chapter!