Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Merrillville, 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.

Hi! I'm Sophie. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience working in mental health. I work with people experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma and abuse, relationship issues, life transitions, and those seasons where life just feels overwhelming or stuck. I really enjoy helping people better understand themselves, make sense of what they’re experiencing, and create changes that actually feel meaningful in their everyday lives. Most importantly, I want therapy to be a place where you can show up as yourself without feeling judged or like you need to have everything figured out.

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.

Hi, I’m so glad you’re here. I am originally from Chicago, and I bring both my lived experience and professional training into the work I do. I attended the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for undergraduate and graduate schools. I have a strong clinical background in mental health, working with individuals across a range of experiences and challenges. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in creating a space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported. I look forward to working with you on your journey.

I believe therapy should be a space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. My goal is to create an environment where you feel comfortable being honest about what you are experiencing, while also feeling supported and challenged to grow. I work with adolescents, adults, and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, emotional regulation difficulties, stress, and other challenges. I take a strengths-based approach and believe that you already possess many of the tools needed for change sometimes we just have to uncover them, strengthen them, and learn how to use them differently. I strive to make therapy relatable, meaningful, and practical so that what we discuss in session can make a difference in your everyday life.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addiction Counselor with over 26 years of experience supporting individuals and families through challenges related to trauma, mental health, and addiction. I am EMDR Certified and have a passion for helping people navigate anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relationship struggles, and low self-esteem. I believe healing grows from a foundation of trust, compassion, and authentic human connection.

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.

Hello, and welcome. My name is Jessica Banford, and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Social Worker with experience providing support in both emergency and outpatient mental health settings. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for change. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and my professional background includes working in hospital emergency departments, where I have completed behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination for individuals experiencing acute mental health concerns. This experience has strengthened my ability to remain calm, supportive, and solution-focused during difficult moments. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors such as relationship difficulties, financial stress, and transitions. I also worked a outpatient community health center providing therapy to all populations including all ages. I also have experience supporting adolescents and young adults, as well as collaborating with families and support systems. My approach to therapy is client-centered and strengths-based. I often incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on building coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and increasing overall resilience. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, respected, and supported. I look forward to working together to help you reach your goals and improve your overall well-being.

I live by a this motto: When you love what you do and do what you love, you never work a day in your life! My 36+ years as a psychotherapist has never been experienced as 'work' because it is both my vocation (a job) AND my avocation (something about which I am passionate). I consider it a privilege to journey along side my clients, to encourage and provide insight into how and why life is unfolding as it is.

When life feels overwhelming, therapy can provide a space to slow down, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence. 21 years of behavioral health and psychotherapy experience, including 16 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

I specialize in helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, grief, and life transitions. I particularly enjoy working with professionals, caregivers, and high-achieving adults who are often balancing significant responsibilities while putting their own needs last.

Clients describe me as warm, calm, practical, and easy to talk to. Using CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches, I help clients build coping skills, gain insight, and create meaningful, lasting change so they can feel more balanced, confident, and in control of their lives.

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.