Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Illinois

I have 26 years of experience dealing with individuals, couples, families in therapy. We will work together to develop plans that are unique and right for you.

I am a clinical psychologist licensed in California and Illinois, and can see clients from both states. I have worked with clients in the areas of depression, anxiety, relationships issues, addictions, stress management, sport and performance, bipolar disorder, and binge eating disorder. My therapy style is personable, connected, focused, and attuned.

I am a board-certified clinical health psychologist with extensive experience helping individuals navigate stress, anxiety, depression, health concerns, and life transitions. I take a collaborative and supportive approach, focusing on understanding your unique experiences and what matters most to you. My goal is to create a comfortable, nonjudgemental space where you feel heard and respected. Together, we'll work on practical strategies to help you copy more effectively, feel more balanced, and move toward meaningful, lasting change

I am compassionate, approachable, and committed to providing a safe, nonjudgmental space. I value open communication, transparency, and collaboration, and I believe treatment works best when we make decisions together. My care is evidence-based and trauma-informed, focused on understanding the whole person and supporting meaningful, sustainable mental health improvement.

With a nursing career spanning since 2008, I have dedicated over 15 years to understanding the complexities of patient care. After earning my Master’s Degree in 2021, I transitioned into advanced psychiatric practice in 2022. Having served in both fast-paced inpatient units and collaborative outpatient clinics, I offer a well-rounded perspective on mental health. My background allows me to blend clinical expertise with a deeply rooted compassion for the human experience.

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 experience working with young adults, adults, athletes, and groups in a variety of different settings including community mental health, residential substance use treatment, college counseling centers, athletic departments, and private practice. I have extensive experience in working with anxiety, mood disorders, grief and loss, attachment issues, burnout, and confidence and performance issues. I am attachment based but use a variety of theoretical orientations to collaboratively work with clients in providing support for continuous growth.

Hi my name is Michele and I have been in the social work field for almost 11 years. I have my Masters in Social Work from Lewis University. I am licensed in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have certifications in treating Trauma, Shame Informed care and Anxiety disorders. I have a background in domestic violence and crisis intervention. I have worked at a Therapeutic day school and worked with adolescents who had an behavioral plan and/or a 504 plan or IEP. I have enjoyed working in Private Practice therapy for 7 years and working with many diverse populations and diagnoses. I also have worked in an Inpatient Behavioral Hospital doing individual therapy, case management, and facilitating family therapy sessions. Most recently I have been focusing on Trauma Informed care and specializing in anxiety orders. I work with primarily Military service members and their family members. Whether you are looking to manage big life stressors or small ones, low moods or regulate anxiety I am looking forward to helping you start this journey.

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about my professional background.

I graduated with my bachelor's in social work in 2013 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville IL.

I furthered my education at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign School of Social Work and graduated with my Masters in SW in 2017.

I have gained 13 years of experience with the majority of those years spent in psychiatric facilities for children and adults.

I specialize in motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and a multitude of other treatment styles.

With over a decade of psychiatric nursing experience, I've built a practice around making people feel truly understood from the very first conversation. I'm fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, and I've found that meeting someone in their first language changes everything about how safe they feel opening up. I work with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, substance use, and eating disorders, combining medication management with therapeutic support to care for the whole person. My practice is fully virtual, so you can access care from wherever feels most comfortable for you.