Our mission
BLND delivers accessible, personalized mental health experiences through innovative therapy and professional coaching to improve quality of life. BLND approaches mental health as a collaborative process to navigating life more intentionally. Our mission is to provide a blend of accessible, personalized therapeutic experiences, creative approaches, and effective skills-based interventions to overcome obstacles to live well.
Our team delivers a blend of professional expertise in the fields of social work, psychology, mental performance, holistic health as well as highly qualified instructors in yoga, creative arts and meditation. We meet our clients where they are – literally and figuratively. We connect with clients in the comfort of their home, over coffee, at the yoga studio, in the conference room, on the sports field as well as with text and virtual sessions. We deliver our integrative style through one-on-one sessions, customized workshops, and group events. BLND offerings include:
- Addiction & Recovery
- Performance Psychology
- Identity Development & Enhancement
- Life-span Navigation
- Valued Based-Living
- Couples & Family Therapy
- Healthy Lifestyle Management
- Interpersonal Skill Development
- Conflict Resolution & Negotiation
BLND studios provide coaching and therapy in Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, as well as coast to coast through virtual communication and offsite workshops, events and pop-up experiences.
Get started
Brooke Buys
MSW, Ph.D. Candidate
Meet Brooke
BLND’s founder, Brooke Buys, has 20 years in the field with experience in clinical outpatient therapy, residential treatment, and school counseling. She created BLND as an alternative to traditional, one-size-fits-all wellness models, with the vision of offering personalized, authentic support that works in real life and drives real change.
Brooke studied English at Kalamazoo College, where she received her Teaching Certification while honing her reflective writing and critical thinking skills. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Michigan and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology. That early experience directly shaped her journey, from piloting reproductive health care services in Guatemala to guiding her social work career as a home-based interventionist, medical social worker, school-based counselor, and clinical therapist at a dual-diagnosis residential treatment program. Each experience offered reflective opportunities that eventually contributed to the BLND model, values, and mission to deliver genuine, accessible, personalized therapy and coaching.
John R.L. Evans, Ph.D.
Certified Mental Performance
Consultant (CMPC)
Director of Mental Conditioning
Along with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, John earned a doctorate in Kinesiology – Sport and Performance Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Working alongside a wide range of athletes and elite performers, John also worked 7 years with U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (SOF), training mental performance and human engagement skills.
John sees clients for mental skills development for performance in sport (and other areas) in Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. He’s also available for virtual coaching wherever you’re based.
Cricket Leigh Alexander, LMSW
Director of Clinical Mental Health
She has a background that blends art and social work, giving her a refreshing style and vibrant energy valued by our clients and our team. After pursuing a Theater Arts degree from New York University (NYC), Cricket spent a decade as an actress between Los Angeles and New York City. She earned her MSW and now works with diverse client groups, including individuals, couples, and families.
Cricket works with groups by leading an improv series to support anxiety, substance use groups, divorce and separation, conflict resolution workshops, and other individual and group-based therapy in Kalamazoo and Metro-Detroit.
Marin Heinritz, Ph.D., M.A., RYT-500
Director of Experiential Wellness
Marin believes that integrating writing and yoga can unlock personal discovery.
While Marin serves as a professor of English, her commitment to BLND and our clients is the real deal. Marin has been a lifelong writer and practitioner of yoga. She pursued formal education in both — with a doctorate in creative writing and RYT-500 in the style of Tantric Hatha Yoga and Meditation.
Marin works one-on-one with clients to drive personal curiosity through creative writing, yoga, or both from our Kalamazoo studio and will travel to meet clients where they are at.
“BLND is not the same couch, same time every week.” - BLND Individual Client
"It was real talk about mental health. Easy to pay attention to and fun!" - West Bloomfield Varsity Football Player
BLND
(pronounced \ ‘blend) verb:
to combine into an integrated whole to mingle unobtrusively
Studio locations
- Kalamazoo
- Ann Arbor
- Royal Oak
Currently reaching
- Los Angeles
- Austin
- New York
- Denver
- Chicago
- Baltimore
Experience
BLND
BLND crafts and curates mental health support for individuals, groups, and organizations.
See dynamic wellness in action
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Multiple Dates
RSVPHolistic Approaches to Addiction Recovery
Multiple Times • Free • Virtual
These groups will also focus on, but will not be limited to: establishing a routine, sleep & movement strategies, healthy coping skills, navigating relationships in early recovery, holistic health, mindfulness mental health 101.
Multiple Dates
RSVPMorning Mental Health Check-In & Tune-Up
7:00am-8:00am • $5 • Virtual
Daily mental health check in to ensure that we are physically, mentally and emotionally in tune, well and grounded for the day ahead. Will included a guided 5 minute meditation, a mental health well check, practical skills to carry through the day, guidance on morning routines and wellness through the day.
Tuesdays
RSVPBurnout Prevention for Medical Professionals
8:00pm • $10 • Virtual
This workshop is designed to support medical professionals with mental health and wellness needs. Support well-being, foster strenghth, and cultivate new tools + strategies to navigate the expectations in the field, at the hospital, and at home. Guided mindfulness meditation will be offered along with skill based practices to support the daily grind.
April
Mindful Parenting
11:00am-1:00pm • $35 • Virtual
An informational forum for parents seeking insight and solutions for mindful parenting, conflict resolution, and creative approaches to multitasking.
May
Virtual Wellness Crawl
All-Day • $10 • Virtual
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