Couples therapists in Downers Grove, IL

I did not stumble into this work — I chose it, and I choose it every day. I am Bianca Gist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Indiana.

I am also a former collegiate athlete, and that background shapes how I show up — I know what it feels like to carry a lot and still need someone genuinely in your corner. My experience is rooted in the spaces where people need the most and are often given the least — Chicago Public Schools, foster care, home-based services, and community mental health. Through my private practice, Her Sole Purpose LLC, I work with children, adolescents, student-athletes, and families using CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care. I use what works for the person in front of me, not a one-size-fits-all approach. I work well with people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and the weight of environments that were not built for them. Therapy with me is honest, grounded, and focused on what actually helps you move forward — not just cope.

If any of this resonates, I would love to connect.

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor with over 28 years of experience guiding individuals and families through their unique journeys toward emotional well-being. I received my Master’s of Science in Psychology from Western Illinois University in 1994 and have worked within a variety of settings with people of all ages addressing complex mental health issues.

Throughout my career, I have supported clients facing a wide range of challenges, and I am committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for healing and growth.

As a grandparent to three wonderful grandchildren, I appreciate the richness and complexity of family life at every stage. In my free time, I love to travel, explore new places, and immerse myself in different cultures. A lifelong reader, I find joy and insight in literature, and I often bring the wisdom of stories into my therapeutic practice. My passions for creativity, travel, and family help me understand the variety of experiences my clients bring, and I strive to honor each person’s individuality in my practice.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one, I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you on your path to greater well-being.

My therapy room is a space where you don’t have to explain yourself. You can show up, fully and authentically, without the need to code-switch or justify your experiences. Our sessions are a dedicated time for you to be heard and understood without judgment.

Hi, I'm Brian. I specialize in helping with men's issues, anxiety, depression and relationships. I have experience working with individuals within the LGBTIQA+ community, Military/Veterans, and those who follow non-secular spiritual paths.

Life is a journey with many unexpected setbacks, life challenges and experiences. I am here to help you manage your journey. My practice is dedicated to providing quality mental health care to help people achieve goals or master skills aimed toward improving their quality of life. I've been practicing for 22 years.

I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, teens, families, and groups as they navigate big life changes and tough emotions. I’m especially experienced with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, self-harm, grief and loss, spirituality, parenting, stress, and major life transitions.

I specialize in helping individuals who are navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges, alongside a wide range of life stressors and mental health concerns. I work best with clients who are motivated for growth and open to meaningful change, even when the process feels difficult. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by day-to-day stress, stuck in long-standing emotional patterns, or struggling to heal from past experiences that continue to impact their present lives. In our work together, I provide a supportive and non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to explore what you're going through