Cyndi Lieske, LMSW

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After Cyndi began her own personal meditation practice 15 years ago it started her on a path toward pursuing a career as a social worker and therapist. Her meditation practice continues to guide her life and the work that she does with clients. She draws from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Self Compassion, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Attachment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Cyndi earned her master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Michigan in 2015 and her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in journalism at Michigan State University in 1988.

Cyndi works with individuals by focusing on development of a greater capacity for self-compassion and increased self-awareness to nurture and strengthen the healing process. While working to establish this foundation, Cyndi collaborates with individuals to craft effective, personalized interventions. Cyndi works with clients ages 5 to adult. She is experienced in working with a range of presenting concerns including ADHD, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, issues related to trauma and life transitions. She is committed to providing a supportive, affirming therapeutic relationship with clients of all identities, expressions and abilities. She also is committed to continuous learning and development in areas of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.

Cyndi’s engagement with youth in a therapeutic setting began by volunteering at Camp Courage, a weekend-long program offering bereavement support to children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. From there, she broadened her experience working at American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS) in Southwest Detroit. During her experience at AIHFS, Cyndi counseled children and adults at the primary care clinic and was part of a team that provided individual and group treatment at the Washtenaw County Youth Center. Her varied experiences influenced Cyndi to work for four years as a home-based clinician with Easterseals in Flint. Part of her work there included intensive support services to children and families experiencing the ongoing trauma of the Flint Water Crisis. It was during this time that she earned her credentials as a Registered Play Therapist. Over the past three years, Cyndi provided comprehensive DBT treatment to adolescents and their families, as well as adults, at the Ann Arbor DBT Center. While there, Cyndi fostered strong connections with the individuals she worked with while also co-leading skills groups for individuals and families.

Her favorite activities outside of work include spending time with her husband and two sons, reading, landscaping her yard with native plants to support wildlife, and walking her two greyhounds.