Toni Hernalsteen, LMSW
Michigan LMSW specializing in recovery and resilience
- Stress and anxiety support
- Addiction and recovery help
- Couples and family therapy
About Toni Hernalsteen
Toni Hernalsteen is a licensed Michigan social worker with 17 years of professional experience supporting individuals, couples, and groups. She practices as an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker - a credential that reflects advanced social work training and clinical experience in the state of Michigan. Toni also holds an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential (CAADC) for working with substance use concerns in Michigan.
Toni has worked extensively with people facing stress and anxiety, addiction recovery, grief and loss, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and issues related to aging. She combines practical skill with a strengths-based perspective, helping clients find motivation and build the perseverance needed to meet their goals. Her approach is adaptable and client-focused, designed to fit the unique circumstances and priorities of each person she sees.
Known for creative, outside-the-box thinking, Toni draws on a range of therapeutic tools to support change. Her primary methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Client-Centered work. She has also received additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. Toni emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, listens actively, and tailors dialogue and treatment plans to each client. She aims to provide a reflective space where people can deepen their self-understanding and move forward, and she recognizes that reaching out for help is a courageous first step.
Toni has worked extensively with people facing stress and anxiety, addiction recovery, grief and loss, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and issues related to aging. She combines practical skill with a strengths-based perspective, helping clients find motivation and build the perseverance needed to meet their goals. Her approach is adaptable and client-focused, designed to fit the unique circumstances and priorities of each person she sees.
Known for creative, outside-the-box thinking, Toni draws on a range of therapeutic tools to support change. Her primary methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Client-Centered work. She has also received additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. Toni emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, listens actively, and tailors dialogue and treatment plans to each client. She aims to provide a reflective space where people can deepen their self-understanding and move forward, and she recognizes that reaching out for help is a courageous first step.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Toni Hernalsteen have?
Toni Hernalsteen has 17 years of professional experience.
Is Toni Hernalsteen a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LMSW credential. License details: MI LMSW 6801090847.
In which languages does Toni Hernalsteen provide therapy?
Toni provides therapy in English.
Where is Toni Hernalsteen located?
Toni is located in Michigan.
How can I work with Toni Hernalsteen as my therapist?
You can work with Toni Hernalsteen through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Toni Hernalsteen work with international clients?
Toni Hernalsteen does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Toni Hernalsteen cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward what matters to them while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and navigating life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and developing practical strategies to change them; it often helps with anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a collaborative, empathetic relationship in which the therapist offers active listening and unconditional positive regard to support the client's self-directed growth and insight.
Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work itself. Toni Hernalsteen will collaborate with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adjusts the plan over time as progress and priorities evolve.
Online therapy offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules or manage care from different locations. These options allow therapists to provide consistent support, help maintain momentum between sessions, and adapt communication styles to what works best for each person.