Why We're Called Personal Courage

When we named our practice, we wanted a name that belonged to the people we serve rather than to us. We chose Personal Courage because of something we see all the time: reaching out for help takes courage, and it is a quiet, personal kind that rarely gets noticed.

The courage it takes to begin

Deciding to start therapy is often the hardest step. It can mean admitting that something isn't working, talking with someone new about things you have kept to yourself, or finally making the call after putting it off for months or years. For some people it means facing a trauma, or learning to live with the changes a brain injury has brought. None of that looks dramatic from the outside, but it takes real courage, and we want our name to honor it from the first moment someone finds us.

What the name asks of us

The name also sets a standard for us. If we honor the courage it takes to begin, we have to make that first step as safe and as manageable as we can. In practice, that means:

• You set the pace. Therapy moves at a speed that feels right to you, and you stay in control of what you share and when.
• You're a partner in your care. Your clinician brings training and experience; you bring what you know about your own life. The plan is something we make together.
• Safety comes first. Every member of our team is trauma-informed, which means we pay attention to how you feel during a session, not only to what you tell us.
• You don't need the right words before you start. Many people aren't sure what to say at first, and that's fine. Part of our work is helping you find the words.

Why a phoenix

The bird in our logo is a phoenix. In the old stories, the phoenix rises again renewed, and renewal is the idea we hold on to: that people can come through hard seasons and begin again. We don't pretend healing is quick or tidy. It often comes with loops and setbacks along the way. But we believe people can grow in ways they didn't expect, and we want our name and our emblem to carry that hope for everyone who walks through our door or joins us by video.

Where we are today

Personal Courage offers therapy for adults and for children and teens in Grand Rapids, and by telehealth anywhere in Michigan, along with EMDR and focused, intensive treatment options. Our team has particular experience with trauma and with the emotional and behavioral effects of brain injury.

If you're thinking about reaching out, you can send us an inquiry or call us, and we'll talk through what might help.