Mary Holwerda is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed School Counselor, and National Certified Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Since beginning her counseling career in 2003, Mary has been passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges and discover meaningful, lasting change.

Mary specializes in working with adults who find themselves in seasons of transition and uncertainty. Whether facing an empty nest, navigating relationships with adult children, caring for aging parents, adjusting to retirement, coping with grief and loss, or redefining purpose and identity in a new stage of life, Mary provides a supportive space for reflection, growth, and healing.

Mary also enjoys working with adolescents and young adults as they navigate the challenges of growing independence, identity development, academic and career pressures, relationships, anxiety, and life direction. Drawing upon her extensive experience as a school counselor, Mary understands the unique stressors faced by today's teens and young adults and provides practical support while helping them build confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills.

Mary views counseling as a collaborative partnership in which clients can gain freedom from unwanted thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing greater confidence and clarity. She creates an environment grounded in unconditional positive regard, compassion, and acceptance, helping clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to move forward. Mary believes that every individual possesses unique strengths and resilience, and she enjoys helping clients reconnect with those qualities during times of change.

Throughout her career, Mary has worked with individuals across the lifespan and has received specialized training in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, family dynamics, and life transitions. Her extensive background in school counseling and family systems has provided valuable insight into the evolving relationships that occur throughout adulthood, including parenting adult children, caregiving responsibilities, marital changes, and shifting family roles.

Mary utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, client-centered therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) interventions. She believes that when we learn to think differently, we can experience meaningful changes in how we feel, respond, and engage with life.

When Mary is not in the office, you might find her walking her dog and enjoying Michigan’s beautiful hiking trails, lakes and beaches.

To set up an initial appointment with Mary, please call our office at 616.607.4476 or email Amanda@startandassociates.com

To contact Mary for other reasons, please call her directly at 616.502.9733 or e-mail Mary@startandassociates.com