Care without the wait

64 licensed therapists & providers in Michigan—8 in Portage. Available as soon as today, in person and online

Therapy for every life stage

Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more

#1 for in-network coverage †

We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees

Patients who get better

94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months

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5,307 people sought stress management therapy help in Michigan in the last year

Discover how starting stress management therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a therapist as soon as this week

Portage, MI

Cassie Watts is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan. She has a passion for helping teens, adults, and...

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Portage, MI

My aim is to offer you a therapeutic alliance through which you can heal from past wounds and embrace imperfections so that you ma...

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Portage, MI

I graduated from Western Michigan University with a Masters in Couples, Marriage, and family Therapy. I am a Licensed Professional...

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Portage, MI

Who you are is beautifully and uniquely crafted by your experiences in life and I am here to help you discover ways to improve you...

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Portage, MI

My goal is meet you with compassion and understanding while helping you to challenge negative thinking and behavior....

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We don’t have any providers with availability. Our schedules change daily. We’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up.

Stress management therapy FAQs

What type of therapy do I need for stress?

Thriveworks offers Stress management therapy, a type of therapy that helps people learn how to effectively manage and release their stress through the use of relaxation techniques, time-management practices, and mindfulness, among others. Relieving stress can greatly improve an individual’s mental health, as stress can detrimentally affect one’s emotional and physical well-being.

How does stress management therapy work?

Stress management therapy functions by identifying the source(s) of stress and the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that are tied to it, then addressing them and creating healthy strategies for dealing with stress on a long-term basis. Additionally, Stress management therapy also helps people discover what warning signs they have that can let them know that they are stressed so that they can be more proactive in managing it.

What is the most effective therapy for stress management?

The effectiveness of stress management therapy can vary from person to person, but some widely used and effective approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and relaxation techniques.

What are 5 stress management strategies?

Five stress management counseling strategies include:

  • Deep breathing: Practice deep, slow breathing exercises to calm your body’s stress response.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
  • Mindfulness meditation: Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to stay present and reduce anxiety.
  • Time management: Organize your tasks and priorities to minimize stress related to time pressures.
  • Social support: Share your feelings and concerns with friends or a therapist for emotional support and problem-solving.

Should you go to therapy for stress?

Whether to seek therapy for stress depends on the severity and impact of the stress on your life. If stress is significantly affecting your well-being, relationships, or daily functioning, therapy can be a helpful option to learn coping strategies and gain support. It’s important to assess your own needs and consult a mental health professional for guidance on whether therapy is appropriate for your situation.

Does stress management help anxiety?

Yes, stress management counseling can help significantly reduce the amount of anxiety that you feel.

Is stress management therapy conducted in person or online?

Stress management treatment at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does stress management therapy last?

For those with low amounts of anxiety and stress and simple goals, stress management therapy can be fewer than 12 sessions. However, for those with intense anxiety and more severe symptoms, therapy will likely last longer in order to effectively treat their stress and mitigate their symptoms.

Need more help deciding?

Sometimes all the stresses of life compound, tightening your chest, shortening your temper, or making you want to sleep until it all goes away. But, a tight chest isn’t good for your health, and sleeping the days away won’t solve the problems causing you stress.

What will help is talking to a neutral, compassionate therapist who can give you perspective on what’s bothering you and develop a game plan to cope with it in a healthy way. Thriveworks Portage can quickly get you an appointment. Reach out today to get started.

Causes of Stress

Many normal parts of life can cause a stress reaction. These experiences can range from marriage to divorce, job transitions, family gatherings, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, a deadline for work, etc. Even when the experience is a positive one, such as planning a wedding, the excitement and urgency can cause stress, though the positivity of the event will often lessen the physical or mental effects.

The physical, mental, and emotional ailments of the stress are usually temporary and fade quickly after the urgency and pressure of the situation have passed. However, chronic stress can become overwhelming, leading to a serious problem that may require outside assistance from a doctor or mental health professional.

How Therapy Can Help With Stress and Life Issues

When the stress of life affects you negatively in any way, a mental health professional can help. In fact, stress and general life management is one of the most common reasons people seek counseling near Portage.

Counseling with a licensed therapist is done through talk therapy in order to find the root causes for the stress or problems in a person’s current situation. Once the problems are identified, the therapist can then help the patient find more effective ways to cope with stressful situations. Typically, therapists will also be able to recommend stress reduction tactics that can be used to manage stress in future situations.

One of the first steps in dealing with an individual stressor is to determine whether or not the stressor is within your control or outside of your control. For example, if your job is based on deadlines, the stressor is outside of your control—unless you decide to change careers, which can bring on its own stress. In this case, while you can’t control the stressors, there are steps that can be taken to lessen the pressure such as getting plenty of sleep and finding times in the workday to take sufficient breaks. When you discover what is inside your control and what isn’t, you can adjust your life accordingly.

Schedule Stress Management Counseling at Thriveworks in Portage

In order to deal with stressful, overwhelming thoughts, everyone needs to be able to talk with someone to get a sense of grounding and approach the situation in a more objective, constructive manner. When you talk with a therapist, you can gain a better perspective on who you are and what you need.

Reach out to Thriveworks in Portage to get started. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and accept most major insurance plans. In addition, we can often get new clients in for their first appointment within a week.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurance and we offer self-pay options too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Portage accept 34 insurance plans

  • ASR

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • Alliance Health and Life (HAP)

  • Ambetter from Meridian | Exchange

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | Medicare Plus Blue PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | Traditional PPO

  • Carelon

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Self-pay costs at Portage
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Jenna was very professional and very easy to talk to. She gave great advice and listened intently. I would reccomend her in the future.
Jeremiah Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Hailie is a great therapist, such a good active listener and so insightful with guidance, suggestions and holding me accountable
Sadie Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist has made me feel very comfortable and it's very easy for me to open up to her
Gabriella Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Starr is the best and I loved how it easy it was to find a therapist that specializes in what I was struggling with.
Delilah Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Rhoda is honest and does not pull her punches. She doesn't interrupt but will hold her thought and let me finish. She encourages when she see a healthy line of thinking and points out if she sees me going down unhealth thought processes!
Ciara Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I’ve been given the tools I need to deal with my anxiety and the support I’ve received is second to none!
Eva Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I love my therapist because she gets me and helps me in life with things I didn’t know I could use help with and setting boundaries
Takashi Aug 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I really appreciated how Cassie listened and absorbed what I had to say. I loved how empathetic she was and how comforting it was to share with her.
Nova Jul 2026Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 76 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

524 E Milham Ave Suite B
Portage, MI 49002

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Portage is located near East Milham Avenue and South Westnedge Avenue, off I-94. It is near the Milham Park Golf Club and Celery Flats.

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Phone number

(269) 264-4920
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Languages spoken by MI providers

  • English
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Hours

Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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