Thavone Huinil-Phommavongsa
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LMSW, CAADC, Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, Hypnotherapist
In-Person in Grand Rapids, MI
Online in Michigan
Do you feel stuck in repeating emotional or relationship patterns and insight alone hasn’t led to change, you’re not alone. Change happens when people feel safe, understood, and supported. My practice offers online therapy and hypnotherapy for individuals, couples, and families who want more than coping skills, who want deeper connection, emotional healing, and real change.
As a certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I guide you through difficult conversations in a safe, empathic, and structured way. Hypnotherapy is used when appropriate to help access deeper patterns and address root issues.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian clients.
Treatment Approach
- Brainspotting A therapy that uses eye positions to access and process unresolved trauma. It helps release emotional and physical pain held in the body.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Hypnotherapy Uses guided relaxation and focus to access the subconscious mind. It is often used for habits, anxiety, and pain management.
- Imago Relationship Therapy Helps couples understand how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. It teaches communication techniques to deepen connection.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Multicultural Therapy Acknowledges the role of culture, race, and identity in mental health. It values diversity and adapts treatment to each person’s background.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: My approach to therapy is relational, culturally responsive, and deeply grounded in safety, clarity, and respect for each person’s lived experience. I believe healing happens in relationships, with ourselves, with others, and within the systems that shape our lives.
I work with individuals, couples, and families who feel stuck in repeated patterns, disconnection, or emotional pain—especially when insight alone has not led to change. Rather than focusing on blame or pathology, I help clients understand the purpose behind their patterns and gently guide them toward new, more supportive ways of relating.
My work integrates relationship-focused therapy, nervous-system awareness, and experiential practices that support both emotional insight and embodied change. I pay close attention to pacing, structure, and safety so clients feel supported rather than overwhelmed. For those who choose it, I also incorporate hypnotherapy as a focused, intentional tool to reinforce clarity, self-trust, and integration.
Cultural humility is central to my practice. I honor diverse identities, histories, immigration experiences, and intergenerational stories, and I work collaboratively to ensure therapy feels respectful, relevant, and aligned with each client’s values.
At its core, my approach is about restoring connection and helping people feel more grounded within themselves, more understood in their relationships, and more empowered to move forward with intention.
Education & Credentials
Thavone Huinil-Phommavongsa LMSW, CAADC, Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, Hypnotherapist
- Female
- License # 6801088422
- Licensed in MI
- Practicing Since 2003
Education: Master of Social Work
Bachelor of Metaphysics
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee $135/60 minutes $160/75 minutes (Imago is set for 75 minutes)
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I am committed to making therapy more accessible while honoring the depth and quality of care I provide. I do not accept insurance at this time and operate as a private-pay practice. A limited number of sliding-scale appointments are available based on financial need and current availability, and I welcome open conversations about affordability when exploring services.
- Out of Network
- I am not accepting insurance or providing superbills for Out of Network
Thavone Huinil-Phommavongsa Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Grand Rapids, MI
- Available Online for residents of Michigan
- Online Therapy Details: Zoom
Many clients come to my practice feeling stuck in repeating emotional or relational patterns despite being thoughtful, self-aware, and motivated for growth. My work supports those who want more than symptom management, clients who value intentional, structured, and culturally responsive care.
My clinical approach is grounded in Imago Relationship Therapy, a structured, evidence-informed model that helps people understand how early relational experiences shape current patterns of connection, conflict, and emotional reactivity. Imago Therapy creates safety and containment, allowing difficult conversations to unfold with empathy, clarity, and respect. This approach is especially effective for couples, families, and individuals seeking to strengthen communication, repair ruptures, and build deeper connections.
I also integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support clients in understanding their inner world. IFS helps individuals identify and work with protective and wounded parts with compassion rather than judgment, supporting emotional regulation, self-leadership, and healing at the root level.
When appropriate, I incorporate hypnotherapy to access subconscious patterns that influence emotions, beliefs, and behavior. Hypnotherapy allows us to work more efficiently with core emotional imprints and nervous system responses, helping you experience shifts that feel embodied, not just intellectual.
I honor and deeply respect diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences. I work closely with immigrant and refugee communities to provide culturally responsive therapy that acknowledges the impact of migration, displacement, intergenerational trauma, and systemic barriers. In addition to therapy, I conduct immigration psychological evaluations and offer workshops addressing systemic racism, cultural identity, and relational healing within communities and organizations.
Clients who choose my practice often value depth, structure, and intentional care. My work is collaborative, grounded, and tailored, supporting emotional healing, relational clarity, and resilience while honoring each person's cultural background and personal story.
If you are seeking therapy that integrates relational depth, cultural awareness, and focused change, I invite you to connect and explore whether this work is a good fit.I do this work because relationships are where we first learn about safety, belonging, and our place in the world. They shape how we connect, communicate, and make meaning of our experiences. When relationships become strained, disconnected, or painful, the effects are far-reaching, impacting emotional well-being, identity, and one’s sense of stability and worth.
My passion lies in helping individuals, couples, and families heal relational wounds that often repeat across time and generations. I believe healing happens when people feel seen, understood, and supported in a way that allows for honest reflection and meaningful change. Through this work, clients are able to develop a deeper connection with others and also within themselves.
I look forward to connecting with you to get started to a more fulfilling life.