Welcome. – We’re glad you’re here.
Tammy Bost
Therapist
I’m Tammy Bost, a licensed Therapist in Michigan & Owner of Empowering Optimism Therapy.
I founded Empowering Optimism Therapy with a clear and heartfelt purpose: to create a sanctuary where authenticity, empathy, and lived experience are not just welcomed—they’re foundational.
Empowering Optimism Therapy’s Values:
Vulnerability. Courage. Honesty. Curiosity. Determination.
As a therapist who has walked a path similar to many of my clients, I wanted to build a practice that reflects the values and identities of those often overlooked in traditional mental health spaces.This is not just a place for healing—it’s a place for belonging.
My vision is to cultivate a community where therapists and clients alike feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. Here, we invite individuals to come exactly as they are, to speak freely, to feel deeply, and to trust that they will be met with compassion and guidance.
Empowering Optimism Therapy is more than a practice—it’s a movement toward inclusive, affirming care that honors the full humanity of everyone who walks through our doors.
I’m Tammy Bost, a licensed Therapist in Michigan & Owner of Empowering Optimism Therapy.
I founded Empowering Optimism Therapy with a clear and heartfelt purpose: to create a sanctuary where authenticity, empathy, and lived experience are not just welcomed—they’re foundational.
Empowering Optimism Therapy’s Values:
Vulnerability. Courage. Honesty. Curiosity. Determination.
As a therapist who has walked a path similar to many of my clients, I wanted to build a practice that reflects the values and identities of those often overlooked in traditional mental health spaces.
This is not just a place for healing—it’s a place for belonging. My vision is to cultivate a community where therapists and clients alike feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. Here, we invite individuals to come exactly as they are, to speak freely, to feel deeply, and to trust that they will be met with compassion and guidance.
Empowering Optimism Therapy is more than a practice—it’s a movement toward inclusive, affirming care that honors the full humanity of everyone who walks through our doors.
Meet the Team
Tammy Bost
LMSW
What is an interesting fact about Tammy?
I have a dog and two cats that love to make a furry appearance during my work day with clients. I just became a mom to the cutest little boy ever, and navigating parenthood with my husband has been such an incredible (and exhausting) experience. I enjoy weight lifting and doing Crossfit. I have even participated in two different Crossfit competitions where I placed in the top 10% at my first one. Outside of being a mom, wife, and therapist, I’m also a bit of a hippie and enjoy walking through a forest and being around trees and nature.
Tammy's background
I am a licensed master social worker (LMSW.) I graduated with my bachelors degree in 2015 from Saginaw Valley State University, then went on to complete my master’s degree from Michigan State University, graduating in 2016. Right out of college I worked for a non-profit helping parents of juveniles to reduce reoffending using a therapy model called MultiSystemic Therapy. I then went on to work for a private practice in 2019 and started building and growing Empowering Optimism Therapy in 2021.
The population Tammy likes working with the most
I enjoy working with adults that often feel overwhelmed and stuck in anxious loops of intrusive thoughts and perfectionism. I feel encouraged to help people acknowledge their triggers and learn new skills so they can move towards a life free of self-sabotage and guilt, making space for freedom and hope.
How clients describe Tammy:
Empathetic, transparent, and empowering. I’m action-oriented and educational, offering an optimistic perspective while still acknowledging our shared humanness.
Tammy's approach to therapy
My approach to therapy is grounded in mindfulness and somatic awareness, combining empathy, systems theory, and your own strengths to create a safe, compassionate space for growth. I’m here to walk alongside you—supporting self-discovery, resilience, and meaningful change.
Christine Leadbetter
LPC
What is an interesting fact about Christine?
An interesting fact about myself is that growing up, I lived in 6 different states! I am coming from a very diverse background outside of living in Michigan for the past 10 years. In my free time I try to stay active, I started biking weekly and, in the winter, I enjoy winter sports of skiing and snowboarding. I enjoy spending a lot of time with my small dog and combining those two activities. We go on trails and hike often. He is mighty for being only 13 pounds.
Christine's background
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), who has been practicing since 2021. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors in Psychology and went back in 2018 for a Masters in Counseling. Counseling for me is a collaborative experience and it is my goal to make sure that it continues to be that way between myself and the client. I work with clients to guide and help them find their own personal strengths and set achievable goals. My goal with the client is to assist them in discovering tools so that they can rely on their personal strengths to face and overcome life’s obstacles and stressors. My main areas of focus include chronic illness adjustments, anxiety management, school issues/adjustments and processing and addressing childhood trauma.
I primarily work with adults ages 18–65+, drawing from over five years of experience supporting this population. In addition, I have several years of experience working with children and teens (ages 10–18), both through counseling and in case management roles, which deepened my understanding of the challenges young people face during pivotal stages of growth.
The population Christine likes working with the most
I love working with clients in a transitional part of life, either moving to a new state, retirement, going to school or something else!
How clients describe Christine:
Christine's approach to therapy
I take my time and work slowly to help you identify and understand what you’re experiencing. My top priority is to make sure you feel comfortable enough to share your most vulnerable moments. My goal is to work collaboratively with you, offering supportive feedback so you feel encouraged to make changes together.
Tammy’s Story. Raw and Uncut.
I grew up without being taught how to recognize or understand my emotions, which led to unhealthy coping skills. These coping strategies took the form of perfectionism, cleaning obsessively, and high anxiety. I had very little control over myself growing up. I was taught the “right way” and “only way” to do things, I was always told what to do, who to be friends with, to constantly push myself to perfection, and never feel or express my emotions. I honestly thought my life was great. I was a high achieving kid, growing into a high achieving adult. I graduated high school with high honors and graduated undergrad and graduate school with a dazzling GPA most people strive for. I got a job right out of college and thought my life was on track. However, I quickly felt unfulfilled and lost. I no longer had distractions or goals to work towards. I did not know what I liked or how to make myself happy without trying to perfect my life or move towards new achievements. I was in a toxic relationship and lost all my friends. I held so much shame and judgement towards myself. Without knowing, I formed new unhealthy coping strategies of cycling through binge and restrictive eating, overworking myself in the gym, numbing my feelings with drugs and alcohol, and my obsessive cleaning became worse. I had no idea how to understand myself and my needs.
Then, I found the practice of mindfulness. With this, I began learning how to listen to my thoughts and feelings. I started going to therapy and exploring, without judgement or shame, my authentic self. I began making connections to my thoughts and feelings, and ultimately began recognizing my needs and direction in life. Through processing and trauma therapy, I began healing from my past and creating my future. My inner child became my guide for the person I wanted to be as an adult. I began trusting this information and gained the confidence, through practice, with standing up and advocating for myself. I left my toxic partner, quit my job, and began working towards building my private practice. With all this empowerment, I gained a loving partner that supports me, friends I can trust and support me, and boundaries within my personal life that allow happiness and confidence to fill my heart and body. I can confidently say now, that I am consistently connected to my inner child and am guided towards mindful and fulfilling choices. I am able to feel my feelings as they come without shame or judgement, understand my needs from them, and actively take steps to achieve my truest happiness.
Tammy’s Story. Raw and Uncut.
I grew up without being taught how to recognize or understand my emotions, which led to unhealthy coping skills. These coping strategies took the form of perfectionism, cleaning obsessively, and high anxiety. I had very little control over myself growing up. I was taught the “right way” and “only way” to do things, I was always told what to do, who to be friends with, to constantly push myself to perfection, and never feel or express my emotions. I honestly thought my life was great. I was a high achieving kid, growing into a high achieving adult. I graduated high school with high honors and graduated undergrad and graduate school with a dazzling GPA most people strive for. I got a job right out of college and thought my life was on track. However, I quickly felt unfulfilled and lost. I no longer had distractions or goals to work towards. I did not know what I liked or how to make myself happy without trying to perfect my life or move towards new achievements. I was in a toxic relationship and lost all my friends. I held so much shame and judgement towards myself. Without knowing, I formed new unhealthy coping strategies of cycling through binge and restrictive eating, overworking myself in the gym, numbing my feelings with drugs and alcohol, and my obsessive cleaning became worse. I had no idea how to understand myself and my needs.
Then, I found the practice of mindfulness. With this, I began learning how to listen to my thoughts and feelings. I started going to therapy and exploring, without judgement or shame, my authentic self. I began making connections to my thoughts and feelings, and ultimately began recognizing my needs and direction in life. Through processing and trauma therapy, I began healing from my past and creating my future. My inner child became my guide for the person I wanted to be as an adult. I began trusting this information and gained the confidence, through practice, with standing up and advocating for myself. I left my toxic partner, quit my job, and began working towards building my private practice. With all this empowerment, I gained a loving partner that supports me, friends I can trust and support me, and boundaries within my personal life that allow happiness and confidence to fill my heart and body. I can confidently say now, that I am consistently connected to my inner child and am guided towards mindful and fulfilling choices. I am able to feel my feelings as they come without shame or judgement, understand my needs from them, and actively take steps to achieve my truest happiness.
2011–2015
Bachelor’s in Social Work with a Minor in Criminal Justice
Saginaw Valley State University
2015–2016
Master’s in Social Work
Michigan State University
2016–Present
Working in the mental health therapy setting
2018
Earned certificates in Mindful Educator Essentials and Mindfulness Fundamentals
2019
Received full licensure in Social Work (State of Michigan)
Ongoing
Member of NASW (National Association of Social Workers) – Michigan Division
