Marlies Adamson

Marlies Adamson, LLMSW

Therapist

Hello there! My name is Marlies (pronounced mar-LEASE). At Leadlight, I work as a therapist with children and adolescents, helping them navigate the challenges that show up in their daily lives—at home, at school, and within themselves.

Alongside my role at Leadlight, I’m a special education school social worker at an elementary school in Byron Center. My experience inside the school system makes me uniquely equipped to support children and adolescents who have an IEP and/or face behavioral challenges, emotional dysregulation, school refusal, or other school-related difficulties. I believe behavior is a form of communication. I work to understand what children are expressing through their behavior—consciously or unconsciously—so I can help them meet their needs in safer, more effective ways.

Ages I work with

Children & Adolescents, 7 – Young Adults

I’m especially passionate about working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, including those on the Autism spectrum and those navigating trauma, anxiety, or mood dysregulation. A neuroaffirming lens is central to everything I do.

I pull from a variety of modalities, including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, nature-based therapy, and more. My goal is for therapy to feel engaging and accessible, so I work to find the right tools and strategies for each individual child rather than fitting them to a single approach.

I provide inclusive, affirming care for clients with LGBTQIA+ identities, and I’m committed to making sure every child and family feels genuinely welcome.

It’s a privilege to walk alongside the children and families I serve—meeting each one where they are and partnering with them to build the safety, skills, and confidence they need to thrive.