Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Merchant
Hi Missy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a counselor for 13 years now, starting out working with survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Though the work was exceptionally taxing some times, it opened a lot of doors for me, including working with the FBI on federal criminal cases. From there, I finished my 2nd masters degree and started working for one of the local tribal behavioral health departments, specializing in severe mental health (mainly Bipolar I & II and schizophrenia), along with substance and alcohol addictions, trauma /PTSD and LGBTQIA2S+ populations. After completing my PhD in 2024, I opened up my own private practice counseling services, Merchant of Hope Counseling Services, PLLC. I’m continuing to offer my specialized services with non-traditional office hours of 9pm -1am, for clients who don’t have a traditional 9-5 work lifI
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road *chuckling*. Mental health workers often describe our work as ‘being in the trenches’. It’s my job (and honor) to be with people as they try to heal from some of the worst times in their lives be it suicide, abuse, assault, discrimination, hate crimes, and more. It’s impossible to not take on some of those feelings, no matter how hard we strive to keep a separation of work and home life. Compassion fatigue is a real threat for us, and something we have to work against constantly, or risk being a disservice to others, and our own mental health, as well as the well-being of our loved ones.
As you know, we’re big fans of Merchant of Hope Counseling Services, PLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I offer mental health and addictions counseling for individuals, couples, and families, via tele-health. I offer non-traditional hours from 9pm-1am, 3 nights per week. I specialize in severe mental health, addictions, trauma/PTSD (and am EMDR trained), and struggles felt by the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What’s s not to love about Michigan!? We have everything here! Motown is the heart & soul of the music scene, Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo are some creative arts and queer friendly hubs, and up north has small town charm. The Upper Peninsula is a nature haven, and you’re never far away from a gorgeous body of water.
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