We process personally identifiable information ("PII") and personal health information to conduct our business and provide you with effective service as described in our Privacy Policy. Some data processing and sharing is required for our product to function and cannot be disabled. If you click 'I Agree', we may also share PII with third party advertising partners to deliver more relevant ads and with analytics partners to improve our services. To learn about who we share your data with and why or to opt out, go to Sharing Settings.
Hello my name is Gay Lynn Williamson-Grigas and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, (LMHC) and a Certified Addiction Professional. I have a Master's Degree in psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. My first commercially published book, Transformative Rituals: Celebrations for Personal Growth, highlights my very creative approach to therapy and incorporates innovative ways to break through barriers and blocks that hold us back. I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals and groups in recovery centers, as a corporate consultant, and in educational settings.
I have experience working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar, recovery from addictions and addictive compulsive behaviors, relationship problems, codependency, job transitions, life transitions, self worth and self esteem, workplace management problems, workplace and employee issues, and bullying.
My most recent book is Trigger-Proof: 12 Tools to Keep Your Cool and Confidence. Working with people of all ages to understand their personal triggers and buttons that get pushed. Helping individuals personally and professionally stay centered while dealing with stressful people and situations that may trigger unwanted responses.
My goal is to be a positive motivator and an encouraging presence. My hope is to inspire and uplift those who are frustrated and discouraged. My desire is to help each person come to appreciate their unique life meaning and purpose. My commitment is to help individuals live their best authentic life and pursue what makes them happy.
My style is to assist each person I have the honor to work with understanding their unique individual patterns and self perceptions. In doing so each person has the opportunity to change and modify their personal patterns or interrupt the unhealthy behavior patterns that are no longer supporting their success and peace of mind.
Professional experience
30yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietySelf esteem, MotivationDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Abandonment, Attachment Issues, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Codependency, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Divorce and Separation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Post-traumatic Stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Love, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gay Williamson-Grigas. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She was awesome when she was here on BetterHelp! Sad to see her go!
Written on Feb 21, 2023 after therapy with Gay for 2 years and 1 month
Ms. Gay has been amazing for the past few years! She truly cares and listens to my concerns and I love that she is spiritual as well. She is my safe place and I highly recommend her. She has truly changed my life since my first session with her.
Written on Jan 17, 2023 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief
My experience with Gay was beyond amazing. I actually started therapy when I was on a 2 week vacation, as I was experiencing some unbelievable anxiety on a trip I should have been enjoying! My family told me to check it out and I matched with Gay. She’s helped me for months now, and I’ve met all my goals I set in the beginning and more. She’s supportive and knowledgeable! Just overall an amazing person who tries her best to relate and also give you amazing coping skills. She really opened my eyes to the root of my anxiety even when I was avoiding it. 10/10 best therapist I’ve had, on an extremely helpful platform as well.
Written on Jan 16, 2023 after therapy with Gay for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Gay is the best! She’s professional, very knowledgeable and easy to speak to. I love psychology and I actually was excited and impressed that she helped me draw some parallels I had never considered before. Very helpful!
Written on Dec 26, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
She’s great!
Written on Dec 21, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
I don’t know where to start, except to say that I am forever grateful to have matched with Gay. She has truly been a light in the darkness for me!
I came to BetterHelp looking for an LGBTQ-friendly/knowledgeable therapist. After filling out the form, I was matched with Gay and she quickly reached out to schedule an appointment with me; which I recall was later that same day
Written on Dec 21, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, grief, and coping with life changes
Very my caring and easy to speak to.
Written on Nov 24, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
She is absolutely wonderful. I’d recommend her to anyone. There isn’t a single negative comment I could make. I feel very lucky to have matched with her. I feel like I am in a better place in my life and I honestly owe it all to being in therapy with her. I’m not sure where I would be now if it wasn’t for her. I’m very grateful.
Written on Sep 06, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 years and 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Gay is very nice she listens to me and she has helped me a lot
Written on Aug 29, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Gay has been a great source in helping me understand why I am feeling the way I do and provides me solutions ( or just listens) on how I can work through my feelings / thoughts
Written on Jul 13, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 9 months
She is amazing! Helped me accomplish my goals and discover issues I never knew were impacting my life.
Written on May 20, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and adhd
Gay has helped me in so many ways, I genuinely did not expect therapy to help me so much.
I’m Extremely grateful I’m able to work with Gay!
Written on Mar 15, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties
I highly recommend Ms. Williamson-Griggs.
Written on Mar 09, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
I’ve absolutely loved my time with her she truly puts my mind at ease and has shown how to grow keen awareness!
Written on Feb 17, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, self esteem, and adhd
Cannot wait to return to my sessions
Written on Feb 15, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and coaching
Gay Lynn has helped me tremendously over the last year. I am still in the process of healing some deep hurts from the past as well as deep fears, but she has helped to guide me and peel back each layer to see things from different perspectives and gain new insight! I’m getting better each session and would recommend using her as your therapist!
Written on Feb 15, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 11 months
She is amazing and does a great job at letting me know she is listening to me
Written on Jan 31, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma and abuse
Gay is amazing
Written on Jan 28, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts
Amazing! Witty and Smart. I know I can always count on her
Written on Jan 26, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and self esteem
Gay is fantastic. Communicative, positive, and astute. She has helped me get to the heart of matters quickly and deeply. Very grateful for her interventions at this time. I would higly recommend.
Written on Jan 19, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Gay is an amazing therapist. She listens, cares, and really helps to unpack the underlying issues. I highly recommend her!
Written on Jan 04, 2022 after therapy with Gay for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and grief
Gay has been my life saver on many occasions and truly hears me when we chat ❤️❤️I mean truly hears me ❤️
Written on Nov 21, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Gay has been nothing short of great. She listens, offers immediate feedback and throughout the week provides articles related to what we discussed during previous sessions. This provides me the opportunity to reflect on our past discussion and review for our next session.
Written on Nov 17, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and coping with life changes
Gay is very attentive and insightful to my needs. She is spot on with her advice and offers a variety of tools to help my behavioral health.
Written on Nov 17, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Gay is awesome.
Written on Nov 16, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
I am so grateful to have been matched with Gay as my counselor. She helped me understand the root cause of some of my anxiety and offered me helpful advice!
Written on Oct 28, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
She’s amazing
Written on Sep 15, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Gay continues to impress me. I began working with her in April and I have progressed so much since then. I was always hesitant to begin therapy, and after meeting her, I wish I had began sooner. I have felt so many aspects of my life improve since beginning counseling!
Written on Sep 08, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and anger management
Gay is an AMAZING counselor! You can change counselors at any point, but I loved her from our very first session! I love that she asked me for my goals, and whenever we are sort of at a dull, she brings us back to those. I love that when I tell her a random story she connects it back to me, using it as an analogy! I love that she truly gets what is going on. I love that she does not push me and make me feel bad, but rather encourages me and helps me 'want' to be my best self! I love the assignments she gives!! I love that she sends little articles for me to read, and makes sure I know she's there for me any time. Oh, and I love the many ways we can communicate-- throughout the week by text (in the chat), and then by phone or video chat when those are scheduled. I ALWAYS get off a call with her feeling good about myself, empowered, and glad I spent those 30 minutes doing that!! ♡
Written on Sep 07, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and adhd
I have only worked with one other therapist in my life but they were nothing compared to Gay. I have gone through many difficult, life changing experiences over the past year and it has taken a lot to get through many days. Now, 8 months of working with Gay, I feel satisfied, happy, accomplished with my life. I feel like I can take on the challenges that I face. She is wonderful and I feel good after every session even if we are just catching up. I would recommend her to anyone because she is that special.
Written on Sep 02, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gay is not only a great listener but a great problem solver. She really helps you understand that root of your issues. The worksheets and extended response questions have helped me to better understand my trauma and I look forward to my sessions and improving my mental health. I’m so grateful for Gay.
Written on Aug 30, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
In a year of working with Gay, I have learned so much about myself and about my own thoughts and why I have them. I’ve explored parts of my life and past that I didn’t think were even relevant to why I am the way I am. And I wouldn’t trade the break throughs I’ve had with her for anything.
Written on Aug 11, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
Gay is outstanding in helping me to understand my situation and giving me many tools to manage my issues. She is a great listener and a great communicator.
Written on Jul 13, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, anger management, and coping with life changes
Gay has helped me so much work through a transitional time and helped me build up the coping mechanisms I needed for a sudden and unexpected transition. I am confident that I will succeed in this next phase of my life. She stayed focused on my goals and encouraged me to grow with the right boundaries in place. She is a great listener and I would definitely recommend her services.
Written on Jul 09, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 months
Gay started n the first meeting and got right to it! It may have helped that I was open and verbose in my "why are you here" response. She has been enormously helpful to me in understanding some of the deeper-seated driving factors of my perceived issues. I feel that she has provided a lot of helpful information and guidance and she will not tell me something just because I want to hear it. She also won't hesitate to tell me something that I DON'T want to hear or accept. That's been very important to our process. She communicates in concrete and tangible ways. We are still really just getting started but we are on our way, and she seems to be very strongly at the helm helping to guide me through some difficult storms. I do highly recommend her.
Written on Jun 22, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, and anger management
Very thankful she was matched with me. Look forward to our sessions every week. She is thoughtful and thought provoking.
Written on Jun 14, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes
Gay Williamson-Grigas was great for me. She brought me through a lot, and helped me stand again. Realizing life is hard, but I can and will get through it. I would recommend her to anyone 10 stars!
Written on Jun 04, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, eating disorders, self esteem, and anger management
Simply put, Gay is an excellent counselor. She treats the entire person—mind, body, spirit, and soul. I always felt very comfortable, respected, and validated by Gay. If you want a smart, sensitive, motivator and spiritually in-tuned counselor who knows how to get to the heart of the matter with compassion then you want Gay Williamson-Grigas. I was blessed to have this well trained professional in my life at just the right time. I would choose Gay again and highly recommend her to anyone searching for a wonderful counselor. Thank-you Gay!
Written on May 31, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
I worked with Gay for about 2-3 months and in that short amount of time we were able to accomplish the goals I set. Gay is very interactive and responsive, I truly learned many lessons about myself and life.
Written on May 22, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
I returned to counseling with Gay Williamson-Grigas because of the fantastic help she gave me the first time I received her services. She uncovered areas that were missed by 27 years of past therapists. I feel more positive about myself than ever, but because of circustances right now my mood state of mind is low. I am hoping she can restore a more positive state of mind even with the difficult circumstances I'm experiencing.
Written on May 14, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Gay has been really helpful in seeing the story in-between the story and help me see where I can work on myself
Written on May 08, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Given my experience with past therapists, I was extremely surprised to connect so well with Gay Lynn so quickly! I feel like she really hears me, and offers gentle insights that have really helped me. Have made more progress with her in 3 short months than I did in a year of therapy with an old counselor years back. Thank you for your sincerity, empathy, and for still telling me how it is!
Written on Apr 11, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 3 months on issues concerning depression, eating disorders, and self esteem
I have never had therapy like this before. I came into this a bit hesitant and nervous of what to expect since I had bad experiences with therapists before, however with just 1 month of sessions with Gay I feel like I am a completely different person. She gives great tools for you to apply to your life and listens to you, which is so important when you’re seeking help, you need to feel heard. I can’t recommend Gay enough, she was so sweet yet blunt at what I needed to hear.
Written on Mar 18, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
I am enjoying my sessions and they are a tremendous help at this time of my life. Gay is very helpful and a tremendous blessing 4 me during my season of grief. She listens 2 me and counsel’s me in ways that have and are helping me, thankful that my daughter connected me with her.
Written on Mar 10, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning grief
I enjoyed my therapy sessions with Gay. She was clear and concise in her methods and always listened very well.
Written on Mar 08, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Excellent and truly unique in connecting with someone over the phone!!
Written on Feb 27, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 year on issues concerning intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coaching
I am so grateful for the spiritual lens Gay was able to competently utilize to help me address my counseling goals. Her ability to share from a Bible perspective was particularly meaningful. Additionally, her ability to listen beyond the expressed words and capture the emotional meaning contributed to my sense of being heard and understood. A valuable resource she provided after each session were notes of key points she captured from the session .
Written on Feb 23, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Competent, caring professional.
Written on Feb 22, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gay has really helped me work through my anxiety.
Written on Feb 15, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 11 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
Mrs. Gay was truly what I needed during this month of changes in my life. She gave me coping tools that I will use for the rest of my life, and helped change the way I think about myself and my life. The work we accomplished together was so healing for me. I am even getting a bit emotional now writing about it! I wish we could've met in real life but for now I will be sending Mrs. Gay a big virtual hug and the most sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Written on Feb 07, 2021 after therapy with Gay for 1 month
Gay has been instrumental in helping me challenge my patterns of anxiety and truly find joy in life. I am so so grateful for her care, kindness, thoughtfulness, and attentive listening as I shared challenging and personal relationship issues in my life. Since beginning to work with her, I have grown tremendously on an emotional level and have been on a steady path to embracing my authentic self. Thank you for everything, Gay!
Written on Dec 22, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues
Gay is a truly knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated therapist. I’ve learned a lot about myself with her help. She asks questions that make you think and assigns work that makes self reflection engaging. Gay also has a great sense of humor and a kind heart. I would highly recommend her to my loved ones!
Written on Dec 17, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Gay was amazing!!! She helped me in so many different ways!! She was incredible in every aspect she really listen to me and supported me and gave me a lot more confidence in myself!!!
I would literally give her 100 stars out of 10 she is so amazing and really helped me along my journey and I hope that once I return to counseling I will be paired up with her again!!
Written on Aug 20, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
She is amazing. I have worked with other therapists who helped me cope with life's hardships but she has truly helped me get to the core of my issues so that I can change.
Written on Aug 20, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
Gay is very sweet, caring and attentive. After a few sessions, I am already improving on my self esteem and overall Confidence. She helped me transition with major life changes and was an awesome support system. She was honest, straightforward and always had amazing tips and advice. I love that I am able to take what I learned from her and apply it to my day to day life. Thank you Gay for all your support!:)
Written on Jun 11, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and coaching
She is one of the best therapists I have ever worked with. Her repertoire of counseling knowledge is not only impressive, more importantly, she intuitively keyed in to exactly what kind of counseling was needed to address my concerns specifically from the very beginning. She is a kind soul and a good listener, and helped me make the leap from wanting to change to making real progress. Thank you Gay!
Written on Jun 01, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and self esteem
Gay Williamson-Grigas is a fabulous counselor. She is kind, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable. She has been extremely healing and a joy to work with. I will definitely work with her again.
Written on Mar 23, 2020 after therapy with Gay for 3 weeks
Would you like to write a review for Gay Williamson-Grigas?
Your review of Gay Williamson-Grigas would be greatly appreciated.
We will share your review with Gay Williamson-Grigas, and it may be posted on our website and Gay Williamson-Grigas's profile. To protect your identify, your name will not be associated with the review. Posts may be edited to remove identifying information.
Please provide a review for Gay Williamson-Grigas
Thank you for submitting a review
Your feedback is very important, and we'll carefully review it to continue improving the therapy experience for everyone who uses BetterHelp.