LGBT therapists 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 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.

Feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in patterns that no longer seem to work? Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, a major life transition, chronic health concerns, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, you don't have to go through it alone.

For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside children, adolescents, and adults through some of life's most difficult seasons. My mission is simple: to restore hope, foster healing, and support meaningful personal growth. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered as we work toward the life you want to live.

Sometimes life changes in ways you never expected. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, the transition into parenthood, or the emotional demands of caring for others, it's easy to lose sight of yourself while trying to keep everything together. You don't have to face those challenges alone. For more than 20 years, I've partnered with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, women's issues, and trauma, helping them build resilience, strengthen relationships, and rediscover hope during life's most difficult seasons. Working with children, adolescents, and adults, I strive to create a compassionate, supportive space where you feel genuinely heard, respected, and empowered to move toward lasting healing.

Dr. Kimberly E. Johnson is a clinical psychologist and healthcare systems strategist with over 20 years of experience in behavioral healthcare and nearly two decades of prior leadership experience in technology, product development, marketing strategy, and business development. Services offered utilize her behavioral health expertise with years of unique experience developing innovative products and solutions while creating a strategic vision for the future.

I specialize in adult therapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, career development, chronic medical conditions and any life transition. My clients come from diverse cultures, races, career levels, sexual orientations and life experiences. My technology leadership and strategic business experience enables me to work well with Executives, CEOs and industry leaders. I provide other services within my private practice, Worldview Psychological Services LLC. I offer services to CEOs, executive leadership, businesses, organizations and the community. Services offered beyond individual therapy include Executive Advisory Services, Consultation and Community Outreach.

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.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I believe that prioritizing mental health is an integral part of quality of life. Congratulations on taking the first step towards self improvement! I have been practicing for 20 years with a focus on individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and difficulty with life transitions. I am also passionate about working with couples who are experiencing disconnection, conflict, and communication issues.

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.

Clients should know that I’m a real person first and a therapist second. I actually started my career in sports management, but life had other plans — and a series of lived experiences pulled me toward social work in a way that felt impossible to ignore. I went on to complete my MSW at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN, and I’ve spent the last ten years working in child protection, community health, and hospital social work in a Level 1 trauma facility.

I also spent years as a caregiver, which made me especially comfortable working with older adults and taught me that humor, patience, and a good cup of coffee can get you through almost anything. I’m nearing completion of my PST therapy certification, which adds a structured, problem‐solving lens to the work we do.

I take therapy seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously — so you can expect warmth, honesty, and the occasional well‐timed laugh when life hands us something so absurd it deserves one.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience supporting adolescents, adults, and older adults through life’s most challenging transitions. My background spans mental health therapy, crisis intervention, trauma recovery, child welfare, and geriatric care, which allows me to work with clients from a holistic, compassionate, and well-rounded perspective.

I use a strength-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach, meeting each client where they are and honoring their unique experiences. My clinical work integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed skills, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based practices. I work collaboratively with clients to set meaningful goals, build coping skills, and create sustainable change.

I have experience helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I also bring a strong background in crisis support and safety planning, ensuring clients feel supported, grounded, and safe throughout the therapeutic process.

Above all, I strive to provide a warm, non-judgmental, and culturally responsive space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. Therapy with me is collaborative and paced to your needs, with a focus on helping you reconnect with your strengths and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

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.