Richard Lieske
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - MA MDiv LPC MITS
At the core of any approach I take to helping people is my belief that we are happiest, healthiest, and strongest when we live lives that we choose rather than lives that are chosen for us. When we act based on our own chosen values, rather than reacting to or being driven by shame, grief, depression, abuse, trauma, addiction, compulsion, or anything else, we experience hope and healing, authenticity and growth.
As a behavioral medicine specialist for more than twenty years I had the joy and privilege of meeting with and helping thousands of patients who were hurting, afraid, and unsure about what to expect as they sought help. I took great satisfaction from making so many diverse and hurting people feel safe, welcomed, accepted, and understood. I worked with patients suffering with chronic pain, chronic illness (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many other conditions), obesity, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, addictions, shame, grief and loss, relationship distress, and compulsive hoarding and acquiring.
A large part of my past work experience involved assessing, preparing (teaching and counseling), and supporting thousands of patients who were going through the process of seeking bariatric (weight loss) surgery, including Roux-en-Y, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, as well as a host of lesser known procedures and revisions. I have extensive expertise working with these populations to “get on track, get back on track, or stay on track.”
I am trained and experienced in working with teens through adults, with limited exposure to working with children. The majority of my work is with individual adults, groups, and couples. I am trained in and use a variety of approaches therapeutically including various forms of CBT, interpersonal therapy, EMDR, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, ACT, and a variety of mindfulness and psychoeducational approaches to behavior change and emotional growth and healing. With couples I use a variety of assessment approaches, and elements of emotionally-focused, Gottman method, and tailored communication skills. Group interventions follow best practices for the focus of the group’s purpose, using various manualized approaches and a host of techniques gathered over twenty-plus years leading behavioral medicine treatment and education groups.
For my general private practice clients I accept all types of insurance except for PHP (unless client has out-of-network benefits), SPHN (a local network in Michigan), and “straight Medicaid.” For fee-for-service and co-pays I accept payment on an ability to pay basis using a sliding scale. Please message me or check my website beginning in June 2017 for full information about fees and policies for payment.
For a limited number of clients I will accept a reduced fee through the Open Path Collective referral service, $30 for groups, $50 for couples and individuals.In my practice at Alight Counseling PLLC each client receives the best possible care using the most effective treatment. I am committed to helping each client achieve insight, hope, and healing.
Richard P. Lieske MA MDiv LPC MITS Licensed Professional Counselor, Alight Counseling PLLC(517) 292-2801 (private practice cell) | (855) 440-1552 (digital HIPAA compliant fax) | Psychological Diagnostic and Treatment Center, 3800 Heritage Ave., Suite A2, Okemos MI 48864 | richardlieske@alightcounseling.net | https://www.alightcounseling.net | Google maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/iCmOn | Bing maps link: https://binged.it/2pwgQuk
Skills and Expertise
Abuse / Survivors of Abuse
Addiction
Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
Attention Deficit (ADHD)
Behavioral Issues
Chronic Pain
Couple Counseling
Depression
Anxiety
Compulsive Spending and Shopping
Eating Disorders
Family of Origin Issues
Forgiveness
Gambling
grief
Hoarding
Identity Issues
Impulse Control Disorders
Life Purpose
Loss or Grief
Marriage Couseling
Mindful Eating
Mindfulness based therapy
Mood Disorders
Obesity
Obsessions and Compulsions
Perfectionism
Premarital Counseling
pain
Panic
Skills Groups
Sleep or Insomnia
Spirituality
Stress
Substance Use
Trauma and PTSD
weight-loss
Treatment Orientation
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT Informed Therapy
EMDR
experiential
Harm Reduction
Health/Wellness-based
Humanistic
Interpersonal
Marital Couple/ Family Communication Therapy
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Solution Focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Telehealth-based
Modality