Our Team
Our Team in Brighton
Welcome! Transformational Choices is a community-based professional service that provides a full range of life enhancing services in a holistic, mindful, and supportive setting.
Our mission is to support mindful change within individuals, groups, and organizations. We are proud to offer a diverse array of services, including mental health counseling for individuals, groups, families, children. We work to address relationship issues between couples, within small groups, and in families. We offer life and wellness coaching and consultation, as well as organizational evaluation and consulting.
We are committed to providing the best professional services by working with our clients and developing and implementing the most effective and customized life enhancing change plans, through the promotion of learning and personal growth.
Transformational Choices uses a natural and organic mind / body approach to restoring healthy emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. The client and therapist are partners and work together to discover the choices necessary to reach new goals and break old patterns.
Our approach to the helping relationship is especially effective in dealing with depression, anxiety, emotional dysfunction, creative blocks, relationship concerns, and debilitating personality traits that interfere with love, work, and the knowledge to sustain health.
Leah Bachman, LLMSW
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Self-Harm, Sexual Harm, Substance Use, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma
Populations: Adolescents, Young Adults, Adults
Modalities: Individual
My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, and supportive, with a strong focus on being trauma-informed and using evidence-based techniques. I’m committed to creating a welcoming space where you can feel unreserved, safe, and understood. I believe that empathy is at the heart of effective therapy, and I’m dedicated to fostering a non-judgmental environment where you can explore difficult emotions without fear of retraumatization.
In our sessions, you can expect a space where your experiences and emotions are validated, and your patterns and behaviors are gently challenged. I often weave mindfulness practices into our work together, encouraging you to stay present and aware of your emotions, helping to deepen your connection with yourself along your healing journey.
Together, we’ll navigate your unique journey, fostering growth, relief, and self-discovery.
Addison Borlace, LLMSW
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Trauma/PTSD, Women's issues
Populations: Adults
Modalities: Individual
Hi there! I’d like to start by taking a moment to congratulate you on taking this first step—this is the beginning (or continuation) of something incredibly important! My approach to therapy is centered on creating a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences and emotions openly. Together, we will focus on embodiment—tuning into the connection between your mind and body—as we work to gain deeper insights and understanding. I believe that meaningful change happens through regulation and being present in the moment.
I tailor my therapeutic approach to meet you where you are at in your journey, helping you identify the strengths you already possess and use them to release patterns that no longer serve you. I will support you in becoming a cycle breaker and cycle maker—creating lasting, positive changes for yourself and future generations.
Giselle Kalnasy, LMSW, CAADC
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Addiction/substance abuse, ADHD, Anxiety, Codependency, Depression, Family conflict, Gender identity, Infertility, Pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, School issues, Self-harming, Self esteem, Sleep issues, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Trauma/PTSD, Women's issues
Populations: Adolescents, Adults
Modalities: Individual
Trainings / Certifications: Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
I think it’s important to remember a few key things if you’re considering starting therapy: Therapy is never a one size fits all, progress isn’t always linear, and finding a clinician you truly feel comfortable with is one of the most important parts of having a positive therapeutic experience. I am committed to creating warm, welcoming therapeutic spaces that foster growth and self awareness. My approach is very eclectic, drawing from a number of therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. I strive to keep the inherent dignity and worth of the person I’m working with at the core of my chosen interventions, never forgetting the power of validation and meeting a person where they are at. I’d love to work with you to talk out any of the struggles you’re going through, because in the words of the late & great Mr. Fred Rogers: “Anything mentionable is manageable.”
Kara LaPaglia, MA-Counseling Intern
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Stress, LGBTQ+, Academic or Occupational Stress, Adjustment Disorder, Self-Esteem, Identity, Sexuality, Women’s Issues, Family Conflict, Spirituality, Life Transitions
Populations: Young adults, Adolescents, Adults
Modality: Individual
My goal as a therapist is to create a safe and welcoming space where we can work together to achieve growth and change that will align with your values and goals. I am committed to accommodating each individual’s needs by using a holistic, integrative, and humanistic approach. I practice with multiple perspectives including strengths-based, existential, and mindfulness-based therapies in order to provide comprehensive support, whether this includes exploring deeper questions of identity and meaning or finding tools to help you grow or heal. As your therapist, I will meet you where you’re at to help cultivate positive, lasting changes that will help you live your most authentic life.
Jenni Loedding, LLMSW
she/her, they/them
734-559-3540
Specialties: Addiction/substance abuse, ADHD, Autism, Depression, Family conflict, LGBTQ+, Relationship issues, Self esteem, Stress
Populations: Adolescents, Adults, Older Adults
Modalities: Individual, Couples, Family, Group
I am a compassionate and dedicated therapist specializing in substance use disorder, self esteem, depression, and anxiety. I also have experience working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD and/or autism. Drawing from an eclectic approach, I integrate various therapeutic modalities with a primary focus on narrative therapy. This approach helps clients reshape their personal stories, empowering them to identify strengths and create new pathways for recovery and growth. With extensive experience working with individuals struggling with substance use, I offer a collaborative and supportive space to foster healing, personal growth, and lasting change. I am committed to helping clients build meaningful lives by embracing their own narratives and finding hope in their journey.
Jacob Pattenaude, LMSW
he/him
734-559-3540
Specialties: Addiction/Substance Abuse, ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar, Chronic Illness/Pain, Codependency, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family Conflict, Grief/Loss, Infertility, Infidelity, Intellectual/Developmental/Learning Disabilities, Marital/Premarital, Men's Issues, Parenting, Personality Disorders, Pregnancy/Prenatal/Postpartum, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self-Harm, Self Esteem, Sex Therapy, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, Sleep Issues, Spirituality, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma/PTSD, Women's Issues
Populations: Infants/Toddlers, Children, Adolescents, Adults, Older Adults
Modalities: Individual, Couples, Family, Group
Certifications: CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
I recognize that the most important aspect to an effective therapeutic treatment is the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist. Through this collaborative approach, the client and I identify their strengths and build on these characteristics through therapy. We identify areas in the individuals’ life which are not useful or producing an undesirable outcome-such as self-destructive behavior, poor communication skills, etc.
I work with the client to discover why the individual is behaving in these patterns, by using my training in psychodynamic theory. This enables the client to gain an understanding of their symptoms and behavior and become more able to make practical, helpful changes. This way of working can help them live a more fulfilling life with understanding and meaning.
Hannah Peckens, LMSW
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief/Loss, Marital/Premarital, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem, Sleep Issues, Stress, Trauma/PTSD, Women's Issues
Populations: Adolescents, Adults
Modalities: Individual
Trainings / Certifications: Brainspotting Phase 1 and Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate
My approach to therapy is mindful, integrative, and person-centered. I am passionate about helping individuals discover their strengths. I recognize that one of the most important parts of effective therapeutic treatment includes having a strong connection between the client and therapist. I focus on creating a trusting relationship built on empathy and compassion. Together we will discover and develop the skills and strengths you need to work towards change.
I will provide a supportive and welcoming environment. I am passionate about working with clients who are seeking change and need assistance getting there.
Alliyah Smith, LLMSW
she/her
734-559-3540
Specialties: Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Domestic violence, Family conflict, Gender identity, LGBTQ+, Marital/premarital, Relationship issues, Self-harming, Self esteem, Sex therapy, Sexual abuse, Sexuality, Stress, Suicidal ideation, Trauma/PTSD, Women's issues
Populations: Adolescents, Adults, Older Adults
Modalities: Individual, Couples, Family
I believe that the most important thing to remember as a therapist is that trust is earned, in all things. My approach to therapy is to create an environment where it is safe and welcoming to come as you are and do the work needed to improve your mental health. Therefore building trust in me as your navigation system to better mental health, as well as trusting yourself in the process.
I have found that there is no one size fits all for therapy, so I focus on strengths, goals, and what works for each individual in making progress toward mental health improvement. Utilizing a mixture of psychodynamic, narrative, and strength based theories to find solutions and treatment plans for everyone.
I am excited to walk you through this journey with compassion, self-reflection, and trauma-informed practices, without judgement.







