Not the polished version, not the thing that sounds okay, but the actual truth of what's happening inside. I wanted to be that space for people.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, acceptance-based approaches, and attachment theory to help clients understand not just what they're experiencing but why — and what they can do about it. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I believe in meeting you where you are.
Everyone needs a space where they can say the real thing
I became a therapist because...
My job isn't to tell you what to do. It's to help you figure out what you already know but haven't been able to hear yet.
You are the expert on your own life
Some weeks you'll leave feeling lighter. Some weeks you won't. Both are part of the process.
Progress isn't always linear
You're not a diagnosis. You're a person with a history, a nervous system, and a life worth understanding.
Therapy should feel human
lumen therapy
What we believe in at
University of Michigan
Master of Social Work (MSW)
CBT Trained
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In the state of Michigan
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR (LPC)
Member for 8 Years
American Counseling Association (ACA)
elaine@lumentherapy.com
Long walks, good coffee, reading anything she can get her hands on, and her two very opinionated cats.
Hobbies
Anxiety & generalized worry
Life transitions & identity shifts
Relationship patterns & attachment
Burnout & high-functioning anxiety
specialties
Elaine founded Lumen Therapy with one goal in mind — to create a space where people could finally say the real thing without fear of judgment. She brings warmth, directness, and over a decade of clinical experience to every session, drawing from CBT, attachment theory, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Elaine specializes in working with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, and the persistent feeling that something needs to change. She believes therapy should feel like a conversation, not a clinical exercise.
LCSW | Founder & Lead Therapist
Elaine Simmons
meet the team
priya@lumentherapy.com
Pickle ball, cooking and watching reality TV.
hobbies
Anxiety & stress
Relationship dynamics
Cultural identity
specialties
Priya offers culturally responsive care where clients never have to explain or justify their background. She specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety and relationship challenges through the lens of cultural identity. Using an integrative, mind-body approach, Priya creates an accessible space for clients to deepen their connections with themselves and others.
LMFT | Staff Therapist
Priya Nair
martha@lumentherapy.com
Yoga, farmers markets, and traveling whenever possible.
hobbies
Depression & low mood
Women's mental health
Identity & self-worth
specialties
Martha joined Lumen to build a space for real, honest conversations—even when they're uncomfortable. She specializes in helping women and young adults connect past experiences to current patterns while navigating major life changes. Down-to-earth and practical, Martha excels at making therapy feel approachable for newcomers.
LPC | Staff Therapist
Martha Hill
Weekly or biweekly sessions where real change happens — slowly, steadily, and at your pace.
We get to know each other. You share what's on your mind and we start to map out what you're working toward.
We start with a 15-minute call to make sure we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.
What therapy at Lumen looks like in 3 steps
Izzy H
"Elaine has a way of helping you get to the heart of things without making you feel judged. I feel genuinely understood for the first time in a long time."
I feel genuinely understood
Sarah R
"I came to therapy feeling completely overwhelmed and honestly skeptical it would help. A few months in, I can't imagine not having this space. It's changed how I see myself."
It's changed how I see myself
