New Female-Owned Therapy Practice Opens in Brighton

When Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) Candice Carrasco and Kelly Riley decided to open their own private practice, Brighton was the obvious choice for the location.

"It's right off of I-96 and US-23," Carrasco said about why they chose Brighton. "We have clients who come from Pinckney, South Lyon, Whitmore Lake, Wixom and Ann Arbor."

"And it's nice to be within walking distance to downtown Brighton," Riley added. "It's nice to suggest to clients who drive out here to go have lunch or go shopping downtown."

Located at 710 East Grand River Ave., on the top floor of the Lancaster Learning building, Evolve Behavioral Health offers individual, couples and family counseling specializing in a wide range of topics such as depression and anxiety, trauma, post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), ADD/ADHD assessment and support, domestic violence, sexual assault, stress managment and reduction, and other behavioral issues.

Both women are also experienced working with children and teens.

"That's one of the great things about us - there's some things that we do pretty similar, but there's more things that we do differently -- so between the two of us, we can treat a pretty broad range of patients," Riley said.

Riley and Carrasco met in grad school at Michigan State University, then worked together at LACASA and at an outpatient mental health practice.

"Where one is, usually the other is," Carrasco said about her career with Riley.

After four years in a group practice setting, Carrasco and Riley decided they wanted their own practice.

"There's a lot more treatment options you can do when you're working independently," Riley said. "Things like incorporating meditation and mindfulness practices and desensitization techniques for anxiety."

Carrasco added that while their practice still deals in managed care, it is nice to have flexibility in determining the best treatment for their patients.

For more information on Evolve Behavioral Health, visit them online at www.evolvebrighton.com.