Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Merrillville, IN

I am a BIPOC and queer-affirming licensed psychologist who is still in love with this work, 20 years in!

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Indiana. I work with individuals who feel paralyzed due to past traumatic experiences; those that feel crippled by anxiety; couples who are wanting to strengthen their relationship as well as those individuals who are struggling in their grief.

With 30 + years of experience as a psychotherapist, I will do everything possible to help you get the most out of your counseling sessions. Being in therapy should be a meaningful and transformative experience. It takes courage to face emotional, mental health, relationship, behavioral, abuse and addiction issues. It is necessary to feel comfortable, safe, and heard in your therapy relationship, as it is feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, and resentment that motivate us to seek change. I provide a safe, welcoming, discrete, and professional environment where you can explore your needs for personal growth and recovery.

Taking the first step toward therapy can feel vulnerable, and it is completely natural to have questions or feel uncertain about where to begin. You do not have to have everything figured out before you reach out. Therapy offers a supportive space where you can slow down, feel heard, and begin at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I believe that healing begins in a safe, compassionate, and respectful relationship. Your story, experiences, and goals matter, and I tailor therapy to meet your unique needs. Whether you are coping with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, or other emotional struggles, we will work together to better understand what you are experiencing and create a path forward that feels meaningful and manageable.

I’ve spent the last twenty years working with adolescents, young adults, and their families, and in recent years I’ve expanded my practice to include adults of all ages. My greatest strength as a therapist is my ability to build genuine rapport and trust, creating a space where clients feel understood, supported, and safe to be themselves.

I hold a master’s degree in counseling and have additional training and experience in grief, anxiety, stress, trauma, life transitions, academic counseling, post-secondary planning, and career counseling. Whether you’re navigating a major change, processing something difficult, or simply feeling stuck, my goal is to walk alongside you with warmth, practical tools, and evidence-based support.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker who works with individuals navigating trauma, neurodivergence, substance use, relationship and marital challenges, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and LGBTQ+ populations. I use a variety of approaches including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Strengths-Based interventions, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Therapy is always tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

Grief is my specialty. I've lived it, not just studied it. I was a guardian and caregiver for my parent through Bipolar Disorder and Alzheimer's Disease, which means I understand what it's like to grieve someone who is still here, to navigate a complex medical system on someone else's behalf, and to carry your own needs while holding everyone else's.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience across mental health, child welfare, hospice, and hospital settings, and I hold a Doctorate in Health Sciences. I work with individuals facing grief at every stage: life cycle changes, chronic illness, and end-of-life. I'm also trained as an end-of-life doula and hold certifications in palliative and trauma-informed care.

I'm licensed in Indiana and Minnesota.

If you find yourself in a place where, by all appearances, you should be happy or fulfilled, yet something still feels missing, you are not alone. Sometimes, understanding ourselves requires us to look beyond what is happening on the surface. The experiences we have survived often shape the ways we think, feel, and move through the world. While those patterns may have once helped protect us, they can sometimes keep us from living the life we truly want today.

Together, we will explore your past, navigate your present, and envision the future you hope to create.