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!

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, carrying the emotional weight of motherhood, struggling in your relationships, or finding it difficult to navigate a major life transition? Perhaps you're constantly putting everyone else's needs first and have lost sight of yourself in the process. You may feel stuck, exhausted, disconnected, or uncertain about how to move forward.

I specialize in helping adults, parents, and families navigate anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, family conflict, maternal mental health concerns, grief and loss, identity issues, and life transitions. As both a therapist and a mother of teenagers, I understand firsthand the joys and challenges that come with family life and the many roles we hold. I provide a compassionate, supportive space where you can slow down, feel understood, and begin making meaningful changes that align with the life you want to create.

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.

Maybe what aches most is not the change itself, but the fear that someone you love is slipping out of reach — even if that someone is you. Everything feels different, yet somehow the same. One minute you are putting on pajamas, and the next you are spiraling because it is the first moment of quiet you have had all day. There is this gut feeling that your heart can no longer be bound with band-aids, but soul-searching is a lot before the alarm goes off tomorrow. You do not have to make sense of it all alone at midnight — that is what I am here for.

My name is Doug L. Watson, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, RN, and I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with three years of experience treating clients across the lifespan. While I’m trained to work with individuals of all ages, about 85% of my practice has been focused on pediatrics and adolescents—a population I’m truly passionate about serving. I see children as young as five years old through Telehealth up to ages 75 or higher if needed. I earned both my BSN and MSN from Indiana Wesleyan University, completing my graduate degree in October 2022.

I genuinely love what I do and have always felt called to the field of psychiatry. Becoming a Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. I’m excited to be on my own, building a lasting career. I’m committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and making a positive difference in the lives of my clients and their families.

Hey! I am a licensed mental health counselor, with a masters in clinical mental health counseling. My experience ranges from working with teens and adults, supporting their navigation through various challenges such as healing from trauma, anxiety, and depression. My therapy style is focused on creating a warm environment that is also empowering for clients.

Hello! I am glad to meet you and look forward to being part of your personal journey. First, a little about me and who you will be meeting.

I am a native of Southeastern North Carolina and graduated from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I transplanted to Louisville, KY in 1991 and pursued my Masters in Social Work Degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Between my early education, continued training and lived experiences, I am able to guide you to explore the mind, body, spirit connection.

I have experience working with all ages but most of my career has involved working with youth and their families.

I have a lot of experience addressing anxiety, depression, ADHD, LGBTQIA issues and parent/child problems and behavior issues. I have a growing interest in the area of women's health issues.

Hi, I am Julia.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and finding the right therapist is a lot like finding the right pair of jeans- it might take trying a few before you find the one that feels right. When you do, you feel comfortable, supported and like you can finally be yourself. I believe therapy should feel that way too.

I believe that therapy provides a safe space and genuine connection for individuals to heal and grow.

Life can feel overwhelming ad carrying everything on your own can be exhausting. Finding a place where you can be vulnerable, share your story and be yourself isn't easy. My hope is to provide a space where you feel safe, accepted and genuinely heard- a relationship built on connection, compassion and belonging. Together, we will create an environment where you can explore life's challenges, discover your strengths and move toward healing with support every step of the way.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of experience working with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship challenges and life transitions. I tailor therapy to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based practices including CBT, EMDR, Internal Family Systems and mindfulness.

I’m Charity, an LCSW with 12 years of experience helping people navigate life’s harder chapters. Whether you're managing the weight of anxiety and depression, processing trauma, or adjusting to the unique challenges. I’m here to support you. My background across military and medical settings has taught me that everyone’s journey is different. I’m committed to providing a compassionate, culturally responsive space where you can feel truly understood as you grow.

Welcome, I am Christy Walters, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Indiana, and have been practicing 15 years. I specialize in working with children and families. I have experience working with Domestic Violence victims, Childhood trauma and substance abuse. Other areas I address are Adjustment disorders, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, trauma, loss/life changing transitions.

I’m passionate about supporting clients as they navigate life’s challenges. I believe everyone deserves to have someone by their side through both the highs and the lows.

I take a person-centered approach to therapy, meeting you exactly where you are and creating a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported—especially during vulnerable moments. I show up as my authentic self in sessions so that you can feel comfortable doing the same. My goal is that each time we meet, you leave feeling at least a little lighter—whether that comes from feeling heard, gaining insight, or simply having a space to release what you’ve been carrying.

With over 15 years of experience, I bring both professional knowledge and genuine compassion into my work. I’m known for being kind, approachable, and deeply committed to the therapeutic process.

I’m also a certified yoga instructor and enjoy incorporating mindfulness and grounding techniques into sessions when it feels helpful. I believe in the connection between mind and body and strive to support clients in feeling more balanced, present, and connected to themselves.

It’s truly an honor to walk alongside my clients as they heal, grow, and move forward.

When you've spent so much time trying to hold everything together, it's easy to lose sight of who you are beneath the anxiety, painful experiences, or expectations placed on you by others. Whether you're navigating trauma, relationship challenges, questions about identity, or simply feeling emotionally exhausted, you deserve a space where you can show up exactly as you are without fear of judgment. Meaningful healing is possible, and you don't have to go through it alone. I partner with clients experiencing anxiety, LGBTQIA+ concerns, women's issues, trauma, and PTSD so they can build confidence, strengthen relationships, reconnect with themselves, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. I work with adolescents, adults, and children because every person deserves to feel accepted, understood, and empowered.