Heather Herrick, LMSW
I hold a Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Michigan. I have over 20 years of experience with children, adolescents, and families.
With a growth mindset, extensive experience, and skills in multiple methods of therapy, I know that even life’s challenges and changes can lead you to being your best self or family.
Jami Melton, LLMSW
she/they
Jami earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Boston, MA and currently holds a limited license in the state of Michigan. She has been working with children, adolescents, adults, and families since May, 2021 doing individual, family, and group therapy sessions.
I create a safe space for all of my clients, regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, or other minority status. Coming to therapy should not be something that is feared, so I strive to make each client feel comfortable, safe, welcome, seen, heard, and important. I use a variety of therapeutic interventions tailored to each client’s specific needs.
I identify as a genderfluid omnisexual which gives me a unique perspective into the difficulties faced by those who identify as a gender and/or sexual minority.
When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my large blended family, practicing my cello, and walking around without shoes.
Matt Brunale
Matt@OnYourSideMI.com
Andrea G. Schoenherr, LPC
Andrea earned her Master’s in Counseling from Wayne State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. She has been working with children, adolescents and families for over 20 years in her roles as a Prevention Outreach Specialist, Collegiate & High School Soccer Coach, Guidance Counselor, High School teacher and Therapist.
Life is messy and full of contradictions. Nothing is perfect. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain and people can be unpredictable. However, that is exactly what truly makes life vibrant, beautiful & worth living.
Starting therapy is an important decision and one that can be scary. Finding the right mental health care provider is critical. Working with you would be my honor! I cultivate a safe and confidential space of empathy while listening without judgement. It is from this foundation that we can safely explore and learn more not only about yourself, but the world around you. It is my belief that with increased self-awareness one can create the life of their dreams. Together through empathic discussion, increased self-knowledge, and cognitive-behavioral restructuring we can safely explore the most complex aspects of the human experience.
Andrea@OnYourSideMI.com
Deborah A. Hemgesberg, LMSW
Deb graduated in 2000 with her MSW from eastern michigan university with a focus on families and children.
Deb spent the lion’s share of her career serving the public mental health system, doing community based work.
Deb says, “I’m comfortable with all people. Those who have developmental disabilities, mental health concerns, depression, anxiety, personality disorders and who are neurodivergent, or who struggle to accept their sexuality, or the way people treat them because of their sexuality, and those who are wanting to recover from trauma. (This includes generational trauma affecting relationships)
I enjoy serving adolescents, and feel comfortable with elders and people recovering from brain injuries.
I use a trauma informed approach. I’m person centered. I use a variety of approaches and draw from multiple modalities: dbt, cbt and education related to trauma and how we process that. My focus is on you. I use skills from Motivational interviewing and somatic experiencing therapies, as well as focus on attachment theory and how it manifests itself. I’m a coach to your recovery process, an ally in the journey, a voice of honest reflection.
I work for you, my focus is you.
I am biological mom to two wonderful adult humans, who have both mental health and neurodivergent experiences. I have fostered 7 additional humans over the past decade and a half. Being a mom, is one of the most favorite roles in my life. I also identify as a lesbian. I have a progressive hearing loss, I use technology and I speech read. I pick up on “micro expressions” and other non verbal language that people frequently don’t realize they are communicating.
I have a service dog, Capone, he’s 110 lb black lab/German short hair, he’s pure love. (He’s being trained to be a therapy support animal as well as my hearing dog)
I used to play clarinet. My first job was in a pizzeria, I can still throw a crust over my head!”
Deb@OnYourSideMI.com
Jessica Ecie, LLMSW
Jessica earned her master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University in Detroit. She currently holds a Limited License in the state of Michigan. Jessica has experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. She began working with youth and their families in 2015, when she started her career in social work as a case manager and a group facilitator at an agency in Wayne County. In 2021, Jessica began working as a school social worker, and is now excited to be doing individual and group therapy part-time as well.
Looking for a therapist and starting therapy can feel overwhelming and scary! However, it is something you should congratulate yourself for and feel proud of, because you are taking steps to invest in yourself and your wellbeing! Jessica provides a safe and confidential space to explore yourself and possible environmental influencers/factors. She is experienced working with multiple modalities to assist you through your therapeutic journey.
Jess@OnYourSideMI.com
Dale Bolger LLMSW
Dale Bolger received their Master’s in Social Work from Simmons University with a focus on gender and sexual minorities, young adults and their families and a certificate in Groups and Families. Dale has identified as bisexual/pansexual since middle school and legally changed their gender giving them a unique perspective and common ground with many LGBTQIA2S+ patients. Dale has been involved in community counseling, radical social justice for historically excluded communities and the environment. They have worked with gender and sexual minorities since the ‘80s AIDS epidemic. Dale also has experience working with mental illness, neurodivergency, homelessness, and addiction. Dale, utilizes a combination of evidence based interventions including Internal Family Systems, Narrative, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused therapies to provide trauma-informed gender and sexual minority affirming therapy.
When not working on issues of social justice, or with transitional aged youth and their families, Dale can be found spending time with their spouse, grown children, dog, 4 cats, 7 turtles or just enjoying nature in the garden.
Dale@OnYourSideMI.com
Angela Riley, LLMSW
Angela graduated from Spring Arbor University with her MSW in June of 2023 with a concentration in Mental Health. Angela has worked as a social worker since 2019, first as a case manager for children and families, then as a substance abuse case manager/detox intake coordinator before her final CMH position as an ACT specialist working with individuals who have the most severe mental health problems and substance use issues, helping them continue to stay within the community and out of hospitals and jails.
During her time as a social worker, Angela has worked with many populations, from children to the elderly, from mental health to substance abuse and rehab. Angela served on the Suboxone Board in Northern Michigan and has been added into the Marquis’ Who’s Who of America 2023 edition.
Angela takes great pride in her work as a social worker and limited licensed therapist and specializes in working with those who have Trauma, Relationship Struggles, LGBTQ+, Eating Disorders, Domestic Violence and Drug Addictions/Recovery. Angela has run several groups that include: DBT, Seeking Safety, Recovery Groups and overall, just educating individuals and the public on important life altering issues.
The quote that Angela lives by; “You are more than just the sum of every high and every low.” Lauren Daigle
Angela@OnYourSideMI.com
Our Interns
Elowyn Greene
(She/Her)
Elowyn is in her Foundation year of the MSW program at Wayne State University. She is a trans woman with knowledge and experience Socially, Legally, and Medically transitioning. Her interests include Gender and Sexual Minorities, Mood disorders, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She seeks to leverage her own life experiences to benefit the community. Her spare time is spent with her two boys, sewing, cooking, and playing guitar.