Meet Andrea Ryan | Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Ryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
So I am the owner of Contigo Counseling Services and the co-founder of the SJ Call-In Coalition. I am a social worker and both of these organizations work to create a healthier world. As a therapist I work alongside people on their journey of mental health and healing, which impacts others around them and the world in which we live. The SJ Call-In Coalition works to create a healthier, safer more inclusive community, which not only impacts the people in our community but the lives the people in our community touch outside of our community. The coalition hosts events like Pride Festival, Call-In Cafes, and Upstanders. Even though these events are different they all work toward the same cause, creating a healthier, safer, more inclusive community one in which all voices matter, not just the majority of voices.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The SJ Call-In Coalition is a 501(c)(3) based in Clinton County. We are a volunteer lead non-profit with the vision of creating a healthier, safer, more inclusive community. We partner with local stakeholders to create wonderful events like the annual Pride Festival which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ folks and their allies in our community! We do a free program partnering with Briggs Library called Upstanders aimed at kids 4-10. We learn about being kind to one another and how to be an upstander. It’s good for people’s mental health to feel a sense of belonging in their community, everyone deserves that and that is why we do what we do. We are always looking for more volunteers, reach out if you would like to be a part of this work at [email protected].

Contigo Counseling Services is the name of my private practice I started in 2023. Contigo means “with you” in Spanish. I am part Mexican and part white. I wanted to name my business with something that held part of my Mexican heritage as so much of my life was not focused on that part of my identity at all. So this is me reclaiming some of that and bringing my Mexican heritage to the forefront, I do not have to feel ashamed of being Mexican, I can be proud and curious about what that means for me.
I have learned that “being with someone” in therapy is half the work, so what better name than Contigo Counseling Services. I want to create a space for people and especially, for marginalized groups, to get mental health services, in a place they can feel seen, heard and cared for. I have 3 contracted therapists working alongside me, and am looking for other therapists to join. We take Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, McLaren, Blue Cross Complete and Priority Health. We do in person sessions and telehealth. The office is located at 5093 E Brookfield Dr. East Lansing MI. Therapy is for everyone. We as a society focus so much on our physical health and our mental health gets put on the back burner. We offer a free consultation, so reach out for more info at [email protected].

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I kind of work in a couple of different places so I will share a few of my favorites from St. Johns and Lansing I guess. Day 1: Start at my moms house where we can gather, eat good food together and play cards. We can catch up on each other’s lives and laugh until water runs down our legs.
Day2: Downtown St. Johns to shop, we cannot forget about Oh Mi Organics, Spun Confection, Nina’s Notions, Minty Mitten, Studio Retreat, Studio Glazed or Whimisical Party Gallery. Also, let’s head to the library and meet Liz, she is the librarian and so cool, great person to hang out with. We can grab a bite to eat at Los Naranjos Taqueria for some tacos.
Day 3: We should probably get some bowling and axe throwing in! We have to head to Lansing for activities since St. Johns has lost all of their extracurricular activities unfortunately. Head out to Spare Time right off 127. For dinner let’s head to Ozone’s Brewhouse, where you can get a beer and I can get their yummy pizza! Everything off their menu is great!
Day 4: Let;s go catch some poetry at The Robin Theater, we can grab a coffee at Blue Owl while we are down there.
Day 5: Lansing Shuffle is a great place to get an array of food and open air atmosphere as well as play some shuffle board!
Day 6: Head to Phillips Orchard in St. Johns, for more shopping and tasty treats.
Day 7: Sad to see you go and before you do, we have a small get together planned with all the great people in our community! We hope to see you back soon!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my family. They have always shown me unconditional love, support and encouragement throughout the ups and downs of my lifetime. I am lucky to have my people, they have guided me to be the human I am today. These people have taught me strength, support, acceptance, love, empathy, curiosity, perseverance, and joy and for that I want to thank you.

Website: https://sjcallincoalition.wixsite.com/sjcall-incoalition https://www.contigocounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjcallincoalition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090762017159 https://www.facebook.com/SJcallincoalition