Sean Boatman, LLMSW - Offering Face-to-Face

The most effective therapy begins with a strong, trusting relationship grounded in respect, compassion, and collaboration. My approach is person-centered and strengths-based, with an emphasis on creating a safe, nonjudgmental, and validating space where clients feel understood and supported. I believe therapy works best when individuals are empowered to build on their existing strengths while developing new skills to navigate life’s challenges.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across a wide range of clinical and professional settings. During my undergraduate studies in social work, I volunteered as a facilitator with Ele’s Place in Grand Rapids, working with early elementary-aged children who were grieving the loss of a loved one. I also completed an internship at Cherry Health West Side Pediatric Clinic, where I supported children and adolescents with ADHD in meeting behavioral and health-related goals.

Following the completion of my bachelor’s degree, I worked at Community Mental Health for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties as a Wraparound Facilitator, partnering closely with families and professionals as part of an integrative care team to coordinate services and strengthen natural support systems. While completing my Master of Social Work degree, I worked in an Outpatient Adult Partial Hospitalization Program at Cedar Creek Hospital, serving adults experiencing acute mental illness as well as severe and persistent mental health conditions. These experiences have shaped my holistic, systems-informed perspective and deepened my commitment to compassionate, ethical care.

In my clinical work, I draw from evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches tailored to each individual’s needs, goals, and lived experiences. Therapy with me is collaborative and structured when helpful, with an emphasis on building practical skills for mindfully identifying and managing emotions, tolerating distress, strengthening communication and relationships, and increasing self-compassion (DBT-informed). I support clients in gently and safely approaching traumatic or avoided experiences to reduce fear, shame, and avoidance over time (PE-informed), while also helping identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors in order to build healthier coping strategies (CBT-informed). Our work may include exploring different “parts” of the self with curiosity and compassion to better understand internal conflicts and strengthen self-leadership (IFS-informed), as well as clarifying personal values and supporting meaningful, values-driven action even in the presence of difficult emotions (ACT-informed). I also incorporate a respectful, nonjudgmental approach to change that emphasizes autonomy, motivation, and confidence at each client’s own pace (Motivational Interviewing), along with focused, insight-oriented work to identify and work through emotional patterns, underlying feelings, and defenses that may contribute to distress (ISTDP-informed).

Throughout our work together, I prioritize safety, collaboration, and empowerment, with the goal of helping clients develop insight, resilience, and practical skills that extend beyond the therapy room. I care deeply about the well-being and outcomes of the people I serve, and I believe that commitment is reflected in the consistency, presence, and care I bring to each session.

• Anxiety
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Emotional Regulation
• Grief and Loss
• Impulse Control
• Life Transitions
• Men's Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Esteem
• Shame Resilience
• Trauma

• Addiction and Substance Use Recovery
• ADHD & Executive Dysfunction
• Avoidance/Procrastination
• Attachment Wounds
• Bipolar Disorder
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Coping Skills Development
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Divorce Recovery
• Infidelity Recovery/Relationship Repair
• Panic Attacks
• Stress Management

• Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy-informed
• Internal Family Systems
• Motivational Interviewing
• Prolonged Exposure

• Teen (13-17)
• Adult (18+)
• Individual

• Fundamentals of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy-informed Principles and Skills
• Identifying and Overcoming Implicit Bias as a Therapist
• Identifying, Intervening, and Advocating for Victims of Sex Trafficking