Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling named top 10 in Michigan

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling has been recognized as one of Michigan’s Top 10 Child & Family Mental Health Practices by the Consumer Ratings Institute, based on public consumer reviews and a 4.5-star rating. The honor highlights the Kalamazoo practice’s growth since 2016 and its role serving children, teens and families across Southwest Michigan.

Why it matters: - The recognition gives Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling a consumer-review-based statewide distinction in a crowded mental health market. - The award may help families in Southwest Michigan identify a practice with strong public ratings and a broad range of pediatric behavioral health services. - The honor underscores demand for child and family mental health care that combines therapy, testing and medication management in one setting.

What happened: - Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling was named Top 10 Child & Family Mental Health Practices — Michigan in the Child and Family Counseling category by the Consumer Ratings Institute. - The recognition is based on the practice’s overall public consumer reviews and a 4.5-star rating. - The practice serves children, teens and families in Kalamazoo and throughout Southwest Michigan. - Founder Jeffrey LaPonsie launched the practice in 2016. - The practice says it has served more than 4,000 families.

The details: - The multidisciplinary team includes professionals in counseling, social work, psychology and pediatric psychiatric medication management. - Staff members have specialized training in child development and children’s mental health. - Care is trauma-informed, family-centered and grounded in evidence-based treatment. - The practice partners with parents and caregivers to understand each child’s needs and set goals. - Services include individual and family therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy for teens, an Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, psychological testing and evaluations, and pediatric psychiatric medication management. - The team works with children and teens facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and emotional or behavioral challenges. - The practice also serves foster and adoptive families. - The South Westnedge Avenue office in Kalamazoo was designed for children, teens and families. - The practice offers morning, after-school and evening appointments. - It participates with multiple commercial and Medicaid insurance plans. - The practice supports graduate clinical training and has helped more than 20 developing clinicians build their skills.

Between the lines: - The recognition is based on consumer reviews, which signals that family experience and trust matter as much as clinical credentials in this category. - The award also points to a broader trend: families are looking for integrated pediatric mental health care rather than a single service point. - LaPonsie said the recognition reflects the team’s focus on connection, accountability, respect and excellence.

What’s next: - Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling is likely to continue leaning on its family-centered model, broad service mix and flexible scheduling to serve Southwest Michigan families. - The practice’s training role suggests an ongoing pipeline for developing clinicians in pediatric mental health. - Families can find more information through the practice’s public channels and direct contact with the office.