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.

I’m Stefani, and I work with adults and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, PTSD, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Sometimes you know exactly what’s wrong. Sometimes you just know you don’t feel like yourself anymore. Either way, you don’t have to have the right words or a perfect story to begin.

I don’t rush people or push past their pace, and I don’t flinch at the hard stuff. My goal is to offer a steady, compassionate space where you can slow down, understand what you’re carrying, and begin moving toward change in a way that feels supportive and manageable.

Together, we can make sense of patterns that may have developed for a reason, build a better understanding of your emotions and responses, and find ways of moving forward that feel more grounded and sustainable.

Choosing the right therapist is an important step, and I'd like to share a little about the clients I serve to help you decide whether we'd be a good fit. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are navigating challenges in their relationships. Whether it's with a partner, family member, friend, or even your relationship with yourself, our connections often have a significant impact on how we think, feel, and move through the world. Many of the struggles people bring to therapy are rooted in feeling disconnected, hurt, or stuck in repeating patterns, and I find it meaningful to help clients create healthier relationships. My own journey has required grit, resilience, and the willingness to rise again and again, and those experiences shape the way I sit with others in their pain, their uncertainty, and their becoming.

Katherine Castelo, LCSW is a licensed therapist and certified clinical supervisor in Virginia, Texas, Florida, West Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, and Colorado. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in trauma, military and veteran mental health, first-responder wellness, grief, deployment-related stress, and major life transitions.

A former Marine Corps veteran spouse, Katherine brings lived experience and deep cultural understanding to her work. She has served across the DoD, VA, nonprofit, and civilian sectors, providing high-level clinical care, consultation, and program leadership.

She previously oversaw a Defense Health Agency program for transitioning service members and served as the U.S. Army Reserve Psychological Health Program Director, leading outreach for more than 200,000 soldiers and families and advising on post-suicide psychological autopsies as part of the USAR Fatality Review Board.

Katherine also worked as a civilian Employee Assistance Program (EAP) manager for the U.S. Navy and as a casualty assistance consultant for NCIS, developing programs focused on readiness, crisis response, and deployment-cycle support.

As founder of Awaken Wellness Center, her practice centers on trauma recovery, crisis intervention, and integrative therapies. She is trained in Brainspotting, IFS-informed work, and trauma-responsive care, and has provided trainings for service members, clinicians, and community providers on PTSD, MST, suicide prevention, and Brainspotting.

Today, Katherine consults with the SAFE Project’s SAFE Veterans initiative and teaches caregiver wellness classes with Semper Fi & America’s Fund, bringing compassionate, evidence-based, culturally grounded care to military members, veterans, first responders, caregivers, and their families.

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.

On a personal level, I enjoy time with my teen daughters & my best friend- my little, not so little puggle dog, Rizzo. I enjoy traveling & exploring beautiful places. I also love to cook and share meals with family & friends. I am passionate about and involved with many social causes on local, national and global levels that keep me busy.

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 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.