Kiera Dressler LLMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Ann Arbor, Plymouth, & Online
Kiera is a child and family therapist who centers her practice in the belief that (barring a few exceptions) people already have in them what they need in order to live the life they desire. That being said, fear, trauma, shame, and many other aspects of life and mental health can make it hard to uncover these solutions on our own—or these solutions may feel so buried that we don’t believe we have them at all. The gift of therapy is that you never have to face your difficulties alone. Together, Kiera and her clients work to better understand and remove the barriers that are preventing them from accessing their abundant inner-strength and living the life they deserve.
Kiera’s therapeutic approach is firmly rooted in principles of collaboration, affirming strengths and resilience, and tailoring therapy to each individual’s unique needs. Her aim as a therapist is to create a safe, non-judgemental space where clients are able to show up as their honest and authentic selves. Kiera takes a holistic approach to therapy, knowing that the mind and body are deeply connected, and that there are many components that influence a person’s wellness. Much of her therapeutic work is skills-based, involving helping clients learn how to effectively cope with emotional distress or intrusive thoughts, and to strengthen these skills with practice overtime so that they are able to remain resilient despite life’s obstacles. Kiera works to ensure that clients of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender expressions, and sexual orientations feel safe, seen, and respected. She hopes her clients know that they are never alone, and they are never past the point of being able to benefit from mental health treatment.
Outside of work, Kiera enjoys taking care of her two dogs and cat, spending time with friends and family, being in nature, and going to the gym.
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Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, with a focus in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse
Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development & Family Studies from Michigan State University
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Young children and teens experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or peer or family conflict.
Young children and teens struggling with phobias, avoidant behaviors, and panic attacks.
Young children and teens experiencing obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Neurodivergent children and teens struggling with executive functioning skills, emotional regulation, sensory processing difficulties, peer relationships, and academic performance.
Teens and young adults with substance use disorder.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Get to know Kiera
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I’m forthcoming about the fact that I benefitted dramatically from mental health services as a young and highly anxious child. I believe in the power of therapy because of my own lived experience and how I was able to reap the benefits of it myself. Now, I am passionate about paying the amazing gifts of therapy forward to the next young person who needs it.
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Being able to bear witness to the experiences of another person is a true privilege. Creating a space where someone feels safe enough to be unapologetically themselves and to speak freely from the heart, regardless of how messy our lives or thoughts may be, is an honor. The reality is that sometimes true growth is a slow and non-linear process, but leaving work knowing I made someone feel seen and heard is what makes me want to do this work every day.
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“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”