About Me
GR Family Therapy has been serving the people of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Ada, Cascade, Wyoming, Walker, Grandville, and beyond since 2019. I have over 11 years of experience in the field. I am knowledgeable, compassionate, and very human. I’ve also been on the client side of therapy and know it can be hard / vulnerable / scary to begin. I’m happy you’re here.
Andi Grandy LMFT, LPC
Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Hello, I’m Andi. Pronouns she/her/hers.
I work with couples at all stages of relationships, parents and teens who are struggling to connect, and individuals who want to address relationship and boundary issues.
Why couples and family therapy? Because I like having a clear goal – usually its deeper connection with those we love. I enjoy working with more than one person in the room – that’s where the magic happens. The magic of people sharing their honest, vulnerable selves and being able to help them truly hear one another for the first time. Because the best place for us to uncover our pain, heal the past, and get our needs met is right next to the people who love us most. I believe humans are meant to be in relationships and our homes should be a place where we can be loved exactly as we are and encouraged to fully become the best possible version our ourselves.
Mom
I’m a mom of two kids, ages 8 and 4 who both joined our family through transracial adoption. I’m not only familiar with the heart-swelling sweetness of my kid running to give me a hug and goofy dance parties, but also with the flash of anger at that same kid turning getting dressed into a wrestling match or shouting “No!” in my face. I’ve worked with parents and teens in a variety of settings as well and know that the powerlessness I can feel when my kids won’t sleep is similar to how parents feel when their teens refuse to go to school, self harm, or spend every waking moment glued to their screens. As a therapist I know why toddler brains and teenage brains have so much in common and I also know that as a busy mom I need real, practical ways, beyond theory to handle those hard parenting moments.
Unfortunately, our kids rarely tell us directly what they need in actual words. Parenting is a brutal job and it’s hard to know when we are on the right track. (After all, teenagers are never going to thank you for setting healthy limits). I can help refine your approaches, troubleshoot the rough parts, and help you feel confident in your parenting decisions.
Partner
I’ve been married to my husband for 16 years and like many couples, most times we like each other and occasionally we don’t. Before we committed our lives to each other we had to work through our own shit stuff. As in, we went to therapy! Honestly, I think that is how we’ve made it so far. Nowadays we work to stay connected through the craziness of life and sometimes even go out on dates (together! in public!). Since my husband is a spiritual director and I’m a therapist, you may assume we never fight (ha!) but the truth is our reptile brains can take over just like everyone else’s do. Luckily, we’ve also learned to make repairs, listen to each other’s perspective, express appreciation, and pull out a board game occasionally. We’ve worked to create a relationship safe and stable enough for us to make mistakes, admit when we are wrong, and reflect on how our pasts still impact our marriage. My husband has taught me what it means to both have and be a true teammate in life and I want to help you and your partner get there too.
Professional Details
For those still reading here are my credentials: I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I received a Masters degree in Counselor Education: Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from Western Michigan University in 2015. I primarily use an attachment-based approach to therapy called Emotionally Focused Therapy. I’ve completed level one of the ASSECT certification in Assessing and Treating Sex Issues in Psychotherapy. I’ve completed training in Gottman Method Second Level, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused CBT, and Prepare and Enrich Premarital Preparation.
Couples Therapy
When the person who is supposed to love you most in the world hurts you it's devastating and disorienting. I help couples hear each other and respond in new effective ways in order to heal the past and stay connected for the future.
Premarital / Precommitment Prep
Congratulations! You found your person! Let’s help you start the next chapter of your life with confidence, open communication, and a shared vision of the future.
Individual Therapy
Sex Therapy
I know sex and intimacy can be many things: mind-blowing, dread-inducing, fun, playful, fraught, and loving. Whether you want more sex, less sex, or better sex I can help you get what you want.
Parents of Young Adults
Parents! Are you losing hope that your young adult will ever be able to leave the nest? I can help refine your approach in a way that fosters motivation, responsibility, and independence.
Family Therapy
These days there are countless conflicts and controversies breaking families apart. I provide a safe place to be truly understood and seen so you can stay connected.
Schedule Today
I offer free, 20-minute online consultations.
The first rule of therapy is: You have to trust your therapist.
Let’s test the waters and see if we are a good fit. Consultations also give me a chance to hear about what you’re looking for, explain the process, and answer any questions you have.
GR Family Therapy Blog
A Discouraging Statistic
Most couples wait on average seven years before reaching out for therapy. This is one* of the reasons why couples therapy has lower success rates that other forms of therapy. By the time couples reach out, the hurt and anger are big. Sometimes people have lost hope. Some couples only decide to go to therapy when they feel the relationship is already over and they want to be able to say they’ve. Tried. Every. Thing. Sometimes one partner is willing to try therapy and the other one is not.
Emotionally Focused Therapy as explained by the founder, Dr. Sue Johnson
HOLD ME TIGHT Article by Dr. Sue Johnson originally published in Psychology Today I grew up in my parents' pub in England, where there was always a lot of drama. And all the drama—fights, flirting, tears, tantrums—revolved around love. I also watched...
“There’s Going To Be Some Changes Around Here!”
Have you ever said this about your home? My clients tend to say this about expectations and routines for their kids around any change of season: at the beginning of summer vacation, the start of a new school year, or even heading into spring break. At these times...