Renee Romer, LMSW

Renee Romer provides specialized, creative, and experiential mental health therapy services, consultation and supervision in southeast Michigan and surrounding areas. Renee has worked with a diverse population of children, adults and families, including adolescent and adult survivors of trauma, children with difficult attachment issues, and children / adolescents exhibiting challenging behavioral issues. 

Renee holds dual master’s degrees from the University of Michigan in Social Work - Interpersonal Practice and Integrated Healthcare with a minor in Policy & Evaluation. Renee also has dual bachelor degrees in Social Work and Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Renee’s training includes clinical rotations and preceptorships at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan Hospital, Prechter Bipolar Research Program, Michigan VA System, and working as a therapist and case manager in a variety of Community Mental Health settings. Renee has extensive experience working with dual diagnosis, trauma, ADHD, emotion impulsivity and dysregulation, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, and a variety of other behavioral and mental health presentations. Renee has published peer-reviewed research on Impulsivity and Non-Suicidal Self Injurious behaviors (NSSI) based on earlier work of Selby & Joiner, and has presented research at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (ICQI).

Renee’s approach to therapy is relational and eclectic in nature, grounded in sound theory, evidence-based approaches, and enhanced by creative interventions designed to address the specific needs of the individual and family. With a person-centered approach, self-actualization, self-efficacy and empowerment are central to her role as a clinical-behavioral therapist and is integrated in all her work. Parent Centered Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and child-focused Play Therapy, are behavioral-based approaches that Renee often conducts with children and offers as coaching to parents. Renee is also extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused Therapy (TF-CBT), as well as goal/solutions-based, short-term solutions and behavioral therapeutic techniques. Renee has basic training in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and is skilled in challenging / restructuring / refocusing of internal dialog. Renee is trained in suicide screening and uses the Columbia - Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) in practice. 

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP), including therapeutic partnerships with birds and equines, are two new and innovative therapeutic methods that Renee is currently seeking certification in. Renee is excited to be able to offer both AAT and EFP to clients in the near future.  Evidence has shown, these new therapeutic approaches can often inspire great progress toward therapy engagement, insight, personal growth and goal attainment. 

In session, Renee’s presentation style is dynamic and entertaining, including using experiential activities that invite participation and seek to increase personal interpretation and deeper understanding.  Given the cognitive, sensory and experiential nature of Renee’s work, healing seeks to reach the brain, body, senses and psyche. Interventions Renee uses in therapy are rooted in sound theory and practice protocols, and include sensori-motor approaches, attachment-oriented methods, activity and movement, play, art, writing, story, metaphor and ceremony.