Meet the Team | Michigan Center for Traumatic Stress
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Meet Our Professionals

Get to know us.

Sylvia Johnson, LMSW, CTP-C

CEO/Psychotherapist

If you’re looking for kindness and compassion, then let Sylvia help you on your healing journey. Sylvia  provides a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can explore your feelings and experiences to gain self-awareness, understanding,  and discover how to get back to the life you love. She is extremely passionate about helping others get to the root of their current behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Sylvia is specialized in treating trauma, traumatic stress, and complex trauma. She is also experienced in treating other difficulties such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and grief.​Working with children as young as four, adolescents, and adults, Sylvia is a certified trauma practitioner and completed her training at Wayne State University. Sylvia is extensively trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, play therapy, trauma-focused interventions, and utilizes techniques to best suit your needs.  While meeting you where you are at, she can help you discover how to live the life you love.  ​​

Breanna Harris, LLMSW

Psychotherapist

Making a choice to seek help can be challenging and takes courage. As a parent, you want to be sure that your child has the emotional support they need to flourish. Breanna provides a fun and safe atmosphere for your child to explore and manage their emotions while developing a strong sense of self. Breanna specializes in trauma and with playfulness and creativity, Breanna will help your child process issues such as parent separation and divorce, foster care, adoption, childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, ADHD,  and more. Breanna uses a strength-based, cognitive behavioral approach. She often incorporates play as a way of learning and processing the difficult parts of life, in a way children can understand and relate to. She works with children and adolescents. Breanna is excited to walk with your child on their journey of healing and self-discovery. 

Elise DiLaura, LLMSW

Psychotherapist

Therapy is an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of yourself. With knowledge and awareness, therapy can help to promote a better relationship with yourself and others. Are you looking to understand why you feel this way? Or, why you think the way you do? I provide a supportive and confidential environment where we can work together to explore the roots of your thoughts and feelings.I practice psychodynamic therapy and include elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. I am providing both in-person and virtual sessions.​ I am very passionate about therapy and look forward to working with you. Ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Emma Peck, LLMSW

Psychotherapist

Whether life is presenting current challenges or the trauma you experienced in your past is preventing you from living in the present, therapy can be a powerful tool to help process those intense emotions and find ways to soothe. Enduring trauma can prevent us from living our life to the fullest, whether it’s negative thoughts playing over and over, physical responses, painful memories, or feeling overwhelmed with everyday stressors. Emma provides a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to heal and gain new insights on their own unique experiences. Emma works with adolescents and adults.

Emma obtained her master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. She has experience working with adults with complex trauma, anxiety, depressive disorders, and grief and loss. She utilizes psychodynamic approaches, relational, attachment based, and strengths-based therapy to promote a new sense of well-being with each unique client she engages with. Emma understands that beginning the journey of therapy can be intimidating and works with clients to ease their nerves while building the therapeutic relationship. Therapy can be tough but together, you and Emma can find hope and safety within your journey.  

Kayla Nabozny, LLC

Psychotherapist

Kayla believes that it is healthy and natural for people to attend counseling. She views therapy as a partnership between client and therapist, both working towards your goals. Every counseling session is entered with optimism and open-mindedness. Kayla specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, and depression and has worked with a variety of additional issues such as stress management, eating disorders, grief and loss, and marriage/relationship conflict.  She received her Master’s degree from Oakland University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her therapeutic approaches and techniques focus on psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, supportive listening, and enhancing skill strengths. She cannot wait to work together to help you achieve your healing goals.

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Lyz Luidens, LLMSW
(They/Them)

Psychotherapist

Therapy is a brave step in the process of navigating life’s current challenges and healing past wounds in a safe environment. Lyz offers a unique and compassionate perspective to therapy, employing IFS/parts work and Psychodynamic methods, while drawing on the transformative power of curiosity and creativity as impactful tools for healing and growth. As a genderqueer person and 10 year resident of the city of Detroit, Lyz recognizes that oppressive systems contribute to mental health disparities among marginalized groups. Combining their extensive experience teaching art across all age groups, their Master’s in Social Work, and their experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Lyz works from a feminist, anti-racist, perspective. Working with children (ages 6 and up), teens, and adults, Lyz’s commitment to inclusivity includes LGBTQIA+ issues, disability, trauma, ADHD, autism, depression, and anxiety. Lyz is here to provide a compassionate therapeutic experience for you to explore your narrative, embrace your strengths, and foster resilience, hope, and joy. 

Monika Saladiak, LPC, CTP-C

Psychotherapist

Beginning therapy can be both intimidating and exciting.  Monika strives to develop a therapeutic relationship for clients to explore their lives in an environment that is non-judgemental and safe. Therapy is a collaborative effort that Monika will take you through with compassion and care. She works with clients with a variety of challenges including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, infertility, and trauma. Monika is a certified trauma practitioner who works with teens, 14 and up, and adults, using an approach that is tailored to each person she works with. She uses elements of Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Person-Centered Therapy. With compassion, hard work, and even a few laughs, Monika will assist clients in becoming their best selves.

Nicole Green, LMSW

Psychotherapist

Nicole is passionate about creating a compassionate and safe environment for you to process daily life stressors, trauma, grief & loss, substance use, and other problems in your life that are inhibiting you to reach your best life. She utilizes a strength-based and psychodynamic approach to help you reach your goals and utilizes DBT informed therapy and CBT as needed.​Nicole specializes in trauma and works with children, teenagers, and young adults,  She also works with individuals who are experiencing grief, infertility, pregnancy loss, substance use, and other challenges. Nicole has a passion for working with individuals who belong to the LGBTQQIP2SAA population.​Nicole is hopeful that together you can reach your goals while maintaining a safe space and looks forward to working with you.

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Sam Johnson, LLPC

Psychotherapist

Starting therapy is an amazing step towards understanding yourself on a deeper level, unlocking new perspectives, and building the resilience to navigate life’s twists and turns with confidence and clarity. Sam is here to be your co-pilot on this journey, providing warmth and understanding in each session. She is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space for you to navigate the complexities of your experiences. Sam utilizes psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and somatic theories with a down-to-earth approach. Sam works with adolescents from age 12, young adults, and adults. She acquired her masters in clinical mental health from Wayne State University and specializes in the LGBTQI+ community, disability, trauma, substance use disorders, anxiety, and depression. In and out of the clinic, Sam operates a person-centered and compassionate approach, fostering resilience and guiding individuals toward a path of healing and self-discovery. With Sam’s support, you will embark on a path towards a brighter, more empowered future.

Vasiliki (Vasi) Giannopoulos, LLPC

Psychotherapist

Vasi motivates, educates, and instills hope to guide you along your journey, working together towards the goals you set throughout sessions. Vasi is a bilingual therapist, speaking English and Greek. Her cultural background provides her with an open mind and an empathetic understanding when working with her clients. ​Through Vasi’s education, she has gained a strong theoretical and clinical foundation in the practice of disability and personal adjustment counseling. Utilizing a Humanistic approach with her clients, Vasi creates a warm and welcoming environment, while tailoring her therapeutic techniques to meet the needs of each client. ​Vasi works with adolescents and adults. She specializes in traumatic stress and has treated PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harm, developmental disorders, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, and dual diagnosis. With willingness and hope, Vasi can't wait to start your journey with you.

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