A Place for Growth
At Relationship Academy, we believe healthy relationships are key to a fulfilling life. Therapists Tandy and AJ offer evidence-based support for individuals, couples, and families.
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling helps couples prepare for marriage by exploring crucial areas like communication, conflict resolution, and shared values, equipping them for a lasting partnership.
Systemic Work for Therapists
Therapists engaging in systemic work examine their own relationship patterns and family dynamics, fostering self-awareness and improving their ability to support clients.
Relationship Academy provides a supportive space for growth and positive change.
Mission Statement
At Relationship Academy MI, our mission is to empower individuals, couples, and families to build healthier, more fulfilling relationships through compassionate, evidence-based mental health care.
We are dedicated to:
- Relational Wellness: Helping clients strengthen connection, communication, and Resilience.
- Inclusive Care: Providing a safe, affirming, and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.
- Professional Excellence: Offering therapy grounded in clinical expertise while fostering growth and innovation in mental health practice.
- Community Impact: Supporting the Metro Detroit community by reducing stigma around mental health and increasing access to high-quality care by accepting commercial health insurance that people work hard to maintain.
Our goal is to create a space where healing, growth, and connection can flourish, because strong relationships are the foundation of individual and community wellbeing.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be a trusted leader in mental health and relational wellness throughout Michigan, known for exceptional care, inclusivity, and innovation.
We strive to:
- Redefine mental health care by integrating compassion, clinical excellence, and community connection.
- Expand access so that hard-working people with commercial health insurance can receive the high-quality support they need.
- Empower clients and clinicians to grow, heal, and thrive within a culture of respect, learning, and authenticity.
- Inspire change by reducing stigma, celebrating diversity, and fostering stronger, healthier communities.
Through these commitments, we envision a future where mental health is valued as a cornerstone of wellbeing, and every person has the opportunity to experience fulfilling, connected relationships.
Our Team
Angela (AJ) Jurgensen, LMSW
- Licensed Clinical Social worker specializing in systemic therapy and is social justice oriented
- Specializing in adult ADHD and Anxiety
- Works with AUDHD clients with Level 1 Autism
- Uses Postmodern theories and view therapy through a holistic lens
- Evidenced based techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing
- AJ specializes in treating ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression utilizing evidence based techniques
- Level 3 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Postmodern approaches like Collaborative therapy and others designed to meet your needs
Tandy Jurgensen, MA, LPC, MFT
- Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor
- Gottman Method level 3 Trained and helps parents with Emotion Coaching for their children and to heal their inner child
- Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFCT), for individuals (EFIT) and for Families (EFFT) also uses Emotionally Focused Therapy with children Uses attachment based theories with clients of all ages
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy
- Post Modern approaches like Narrative therapy and others designed to meet your needs
- Specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy, also serves young adults as well as adults and seniors and elderly clients.
Guide and therapist for clients who wish to explore ketamine assisted psychotherapy partnering with Journey Clinical. Former therapist at Relationship Institute in Royal Oak, who closed in 2025.
Mercedes Jefferson, LLMFT
- Postmodern approaches like Narrative therapy and others designed to meet your needs
- Open relationships and Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM)
- Delivering culturally competent care and services tailored to the unique needs of transgender individuals
- Engaging in the provision of care and services to individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.
- ADHD
- Anxiety and stress
- Emotional disturbances
- Neurodivergence
- Family conflict
- Family systems
- Relationship issues
- Marital and Premarital counseling
- Religious trauma
- Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Elizabeth (Liz) Spence
- Marriage and Family Therapy intern focused on creating a welcoming, supportive space Utilizes Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Internal Family Systems Theory as well as Humanistic Theories of therapy for couples, individuals, families, and children 0-12
- Aims to help clients feel truly seen and heard
- Believes therapy is a collaborative process
- Works with individuals, couples, families, and children 0-12 as well as adolescents, young adults, adults, seniors, and elderly clients.
- Helps clients strengthen relationships and navigate life’s challenges with care and understanding
- Currently completing graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Child and Adolescent Therapy at Northcentral University
- Passionate about fostering growth, connection, and self-discovery
- Enjoys camping, attending concerts, and cheering for the Detroit Red Wings outside of work
Jeff Reiter
- Jeff Reiter, Professional Counseling Intern studying at at University of the Cumberlands
- 33-year career in residential real estate helping people navigate major life decisions
- Brings warmth, practical wisdom, and a grounded perspective to counseling work
- Humanistic, person-centered, and integrative approach
- Draws from emotionally focused, existential, and family systems perspectives
- Believes therapy is a collaborative process
- Strives to create an inclusive, supportive, and nonjudgmental space
- Believes human connection is central to well-being
- Works with individuals, couples, and adult members of families
- Areas of interest include ADHD, anxiety and stress, shame, relationship issues, family stress and conflict, marital and premarital counseling, and major life transitions
Let’s Work Together
Reach out today for a session or a 15 minute consultation.