Grief counselors and therapists in Merrillville, IN

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 passionate about helping people heal and find true joy in their lives. Focus is on the "whole person" - emotional, spiritual, and physical. Together we walk a gentle path toward wholeness and peace.

Hello! I'm Grace, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Indiana and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively within hospital-based Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). This experience has given me a deep understanding of the profound sense of helplessness and struggle one feels when caught in the middle of an intense emotional storm.

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've spent over a decade working with people who are fighting battles most people don't talk about — addiction, eating disorders, dual diagnosis, and the anxiety and depression that come along for the ride. I'm not here to give you a five-step plan. I'm here to be the person who genuinely gives a damn about what you're carrying. I've learned a lot from the great therapists, yoga teachers, and people in recovery who shaped my own life — and my whole purpose is giving that back. I also teach yoga, which means I don't just talk about mindfulness — I live it. Morning, evening, and weekend slots available. Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, and Carelon accepted.

Great to meet you. If you have been carrying more than most people realize, therapy can be a place to finally feel seen, supported, and understood. You may be navigating PTSD that still impacts your daily life, anxiety that fills every quiet moment, mood shifts that feel difficult to predict, anger that rises before you can stop it, depression, panic, grief, relationship stress, family issues, ADHD, OCD, substance use concerns, or the emotional toll of a chronic health condition. I work with adults, children, and seniors who want more than someone simply listening from a distance. My goal is to walk beside you with honesty, skill, practical tools, and a therapeutic relationship built on transparency and trust. Whether you are working through trauma, identity concerns, cultural stressors, women’s issues, LGBTQIA+ experiences, transgender issues, or major life stress, you deserve support that meets you where you are and helps you move forward.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 over 30 years of experience in the mental health field and have worked with clients at all ages of the lifespan. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University. I am licensed to practice in the states of Florida, Arizona, Indiana, Missouri and Alabama.

Hello and good day. My name is Joe and I'm greatly honored for the opportunity to serve you. As a therapist, I would describe my approach as conversational and direct. I specialize in the areas of military Veterans, men's issues, grief and bereavement, as well as alcoholism/substance abuse. Navigating daily life can be overwhelming at times. If you are feeling stressed by work, experiencing family issues, are processing trauma, have recently lost a loved one, or just simply need someone to talk to, I maybe able to help. I look forward to hearing your story.