(she/her)
Psychotherapist & Owner of Impression Psychotherapy (Heather Nitzki, LLC)
heather@impressionpsychotherapy.com
(616) 920-0113
Specializations: Attachment Disruption, People-Pleasing, Self-Esteem, Relationship Issues, Adolescent Development, Anxiety, Depression, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Trauma & PTSD
"I believe that we all need safe, supportive relationships in order to not only survive, but to thrive. As a therapist, I aim to serve as that sense of stability amongst whatever chaos my clients may be feeling or facing. In our work, I won't necessarily tell you what to do or how to fix your problems - I wholeheartedly believe that you already hold those answers somewhere within you. With that being said, I do believe that it is fully my job to collaborate & explore with you, to bring you my honest thoughts & experience, and to work with you to to help you uncover your own unique answers & the truths that work best for you & for your healing.
I find that therapy works best when both the client and therapist feel comfortable enough to show up as their authentic selves. I consistently monitor progress in our work while taking more of an informal, unstructured approach in each session - showing up honestly and candidly, and really wanting my clients to do the same. My work focuses more on strengthening the relationship that forms between us and using the trustworthy, secure attachment that we've formed to help us go deep in revealing and healing past relational wounds. Structuring therapy in this way allows the therapeutic relationship to develop naturally, creating a lasting impression on both the client and myself."
My Story:
I'm Heather, and I'm really honored -- and excited (!) -- that you've found your way to somehow reaching the website to my practice, Impression Psychotherapy.
To let you in to a little more about me, my desire to help others began at a young age, with a majority of my free time spent volunteering and later receiving recognition for some of the contributions that I made to my community. I found that I loved the feeling of giving back, of connecting with others who were similar and different than myself, of learning, of growing, and of experiencing more of the beauty of being human through all of those moments, both big or small. That passion continued throughout the course of my life and pushed me to pursue a career as a Marriage & Family Therapist.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northern Illinois University in 2021 with a Master of Science degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a specialization in Marriage & Family Therapy. I also received a Bachelor in Science degree in 2019, as well as an Associate in Science degree in 2017. Prior to starting Impression Psychotherapy in July of 2023, I worked at Mindful Counseling GR as an independent contractor and psychotherapist.
Currently, I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the State of Michigan. I have completed Level I and Level II Clinical Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and am a certified PREPARE/ENRICH Premarital Counseling Facilitator. I have also received 65 hours of training on domestic violence and sexual assault prior to working as a faciltator for different groups with both victims and perpetrators at Safe Passage, a Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Crisis Center located nearby to where I completed my undergraduate and graduate coursework.
As someone who has been in and out of therapy for many years and has experienced significant changes in my life because of it, I wholeheartedly believe in the healing powers of safe, supportive relationships.
As a therapist, I reflect deeply on our relationship and what is happening between us, making sure that we've formed a safe and secure base with which we're able to collaboratively explore past and present pains. Together, we'll uncover the barriers that are holding you back from healing and living your life as your best, most authentic self.
My hope is that by the time we end our work together, you'll feel like you've gained new clarity and depth in what you're experiencing, as well as increased confidence in yourself, your relationships with others, and your ability to not only navigate, but thoroughly tackle, all of the unexpected, and sometimes unpleasant, situations that life can sometimes throw at us, despite our best efforts to avoid them.
...But if you're curious at all about what I like to do when I'm not at the office, my absolute favorite ways to unwind are to spend time in nature, travel the world (I haven't been everywhere -- Yet! But man, I'm sure hoping to...), binge watch my comfort television shows (This does range from true crime to absolutely ridiculous reality tv dating shows that I do analyze), cuddle with my two cats, eat delicious food, enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones, and experience all of the beautiful, wonderful parts of being alive.
If you're interested in learning more about me personally, please check out the interview that I did with Voyage Michigan for their Most Inspiring Stories series.
Hidden Gems: Meet Heather Nitzki of Impression Psychotherapy
Ongoing Training & Experience:
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) 4-Day Intensive, Lisa Coyne, PhD
July 31st-August 3rd, 2025 -- Lisbon, Portugal
Overcoming Pornography Addiction Through Inner Child Healing, Dr. Eddie Capparucci, LPC, C-CSAS
June 17th, 2025 -- Grand Rapids, MI (Virtual)
The Symbolic Language of Clinical Art Psychotherapy in Complex Trauma, Yvonne Gilbert, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
May 14th, 2025 -- Grand Rapids, MI (Virtual)
Interventions for Every Personality Disorder in the DSM, Daniel Fox, PhD
November 20th, 2024 -- Grand Rapids, MI (Virtual)
Relational Psychotherapy (RPT) Training Series, Joseph Hull, LMSW
June 14th-July 26th, 2024 -- Grand Rapids, MI
The Power of Attachment: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships by Diane Poole Heller, PhD (2023)
Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love by Jessica Baum, LMHC (2022)
Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel S. F. Heller (2021)
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristen Neff, PhD & Christopher Germer, PhD (2021)