Dr. Toni S. Start is a Licensed Psychologist; she earned her Doctorate Degree in Clinical and Humanistic Psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. She believes that a healthy quality of life stems from heightened self-awareness, living more consciously than subconsciously, a foundation of core values, well developed relationship with others, and a keen focus on the connection between mind and body. She realizes that because of life’s events, these qualities can become compromised, resulting in one feeling anxious, depressed, stressed, confused, overwhelmed, angry, worthless, hopeless, lonely, vulnerable, abandoned and/or scared. These events can occur anytime in life and can stay with us. She helps people connect thoughts and feelings of the past to how they live in the present, and heal for the future. She utilizes a mixture of humanistic and mind/body psychologies including Gentle Teaching, The Emotion Code, Internal Family Systems/Parts Work, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and imagery. Most people seek psychotherapy for anxiety, panic, fear, phobias, depression, relationship issues, grief/loss, trauma, or wonder “why they think the way they do”.

Feedback from past and present clients include how Toni offers an environment and presence that lacks judgment, which helps them feel comfortable to explore their self-identity safely. They feel in control while they deepen their self-awareness, thus are better able to make more conscientious decisions in life.

Toni is a past board member for Gentle Teaching International. She has presented at many conferences here in the United States as well as in Canada and Europe; she has created trainings and trained many caregivers throughout the years. Gentle Teaching is a way of being with others focusing on feeling safe and loved enough to become loving towards others through healthy engagement. The primary audiences for these conferences and trainings are caregivers, educators, administrators, and parents who practice, or long to learn about, the Gentle Teaching philosophy.

Click here to view Toni's Vitae

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

Toni and the other therapists at Start and Associates accept private pay as well as several health insurances on an in-network or out of network agreement.