Meet Elaine Bussema, LMSW | Owner/Therapist Enlightened Counseling & Wellness, PLLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Bussema, LMSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The world of social work has been a part of my life for over 17 years. Over that time period, I held various positions and saw a need for a variety of resources in the different lives of the individuals i worked with.  As I transitioned into private practice counseling, I imagined a one-stop shop with several holistic wellness and counseling providers to support an individual’s mental, physical and spiritual health. This realization would take several years to come to fruition, and the vision continues to change and grow, but what emerged is now the wonderful space I call Enlightened Counseling & Wellness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Many in helping professions will tell you that overcoming their own challenges inspired them to help others, I know this is true for me. I have always enjoyed helping others but I can clearly see the start of my path into this field when I encountered a huge challenge as a young teen. It was the support of so many including my family, my own therapist and an advocate that would inspire the drive in me to give back to others encountering hard times and great challenges. I can still think back to darker days so clearly, struggling with my own mental health challenges and sometimes finding it hard to believe i would ever overcome. But I did, and its my goal in life to be a support to so many others to help them see they can too. Whatever the obstacle may be that there is hope, that no feeling last forever and they themselves bring so much value to the world! To continue to bring a variety of supports to our community and a safe place that encompasses them.

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 love South West Michigan and all the unique spots it holds. If I was planning some time spent around the area I would probably plan at least one day trip starting with breakfast somewhere like Breakfast at Tiffany’s or if it is a weekend Brunch at Bird Dog! Then we could head out on an adventure to some of my favorite boutiques and shops like Ashley Hitt In Three Rivers, Salt Box Shop in Schoolcraft, Pink Lemonade in Texas Corners or Vintage inspired in Mattawan. We could swing by Chin chin for lunch or venture further in to Paw Paw for some wine sampling at St. Julian winery. If it was summer time I would probably spend at least one day venturing down to the lake shore, South Haven and St. Joe are both favorites. If it was a friend with kiddos we would probably head over to The Backyard Kalamazoo to let the kiddos enjoy the play space while we catch up or head over to Oshtemo for a hike at Lillian Anderson Arboretum or to play at the park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

As I mentioned earlier this journey has been ongoing and I have so many people who have supported me along the way. My parents for encouraging me to pursue college, my dreams and always having my back, a few amazing professors in my Social Work program who made a HUGE impact, my friends for always believing in me, even when I feel like I would tell them over and over “it’s really happening” just to have things end up not falling in to place yet. My friend and mentor Diane who gave me a great start in private practice work and encouraged, believed and educated me along the way.

At this time in my life though my other HUGE supporters and the ones who have felt the biggest impact of this dream has had to be my husband John and our three boys. John has allowed me to pursue my passion and vision even if it felt scary at times or met long days away from home and lots of the parental load placed on him. It’s all came together though and the boys now LOVE coming to mommy’s office and I hope one day they will too see they can achieve whatever they put their mind too.

Website: https://msha.ke/ecwellnesskzoo

Instagram: ECwellness_Kzoo

Facebook: Enlightened Counseling & Wellness

Other: email: [email protected]