Gabe Hernandez, MA, LLMSW

Phone: 616-426-9034, ext. 603
Email: ghernandez@secondstorycounseling.com

MSW – Grand Valley State University

BA Social Work – Grand Valley State University

My story reflects the human experience and is packed with successes and hardships, joy and sadness. These experiences have brought passion to my work with individuals and families. I believe that in order to achieve personal growth and desired change, we first need to feel safe and secure in who we are. We need to know our needs matter. When our realities leave us feeling hopeless and lacking meaning or purpose, I desire to come alongside to help alleviate distress and bring clarity.

When I am not working with clients, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love to read, listen to music, drink coffee, and play basketball in my spare time. I am passionate about health and fitness and can be found engaging in anything and everything CrossFit.

My Approach

Your story is complex and should be considered with both care and intentionality. My approach is holistic, taking different theories of practice and tailoring them to the individual. With a multisystem perspective, I help individuals explore how they make meaning from their experiences and how we can more fully understand the self in different environments (at home, work, school, etc.). My approach encourages clients to become mindful of their desires and motivations and the many ways they navigate the challenges of everyday life. This skill helps clients find balance, gain perspective, and experience wellbeing. My approach is also person-centered and compassion focused. This means we highlight your strengths, move at a pace that is comfortable for you, and empathetically approach suffering. Collaboratively, we explore the complexities of real life and find purpose by building self-awareness and spurring creativity, all while helping you feel capable of change and healing. With this approach we build resilience, find hope, and develop a deeper appreciation for our experiences.

What you can expect

Earning your trust is important to me. I hope to do this by developing a strong therapeutic relationship right at the start of therapy. This therapeutic relationship will be driven by empathy. I often look to offer reassurance, validation, and affirmation of your experiences. I am committed to establishing a compassionate and safe environment for you to openly share. I will be in the present moment with you, no matter how uncomfortable. I will encourage you along the way, and together we will work toward growth and self-discovery.