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 Heather Case, Ed.D., a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC/LSC) with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of mental health and education. I work with adolescents and young adults navigating identity development, life transitions, anxiety, ADHD, and the emotional impact of learning differently in a system built for one kind of learner — including students navigating IEP or 504 plans. My own experience as a first-generation student with an undiagnosed learning difference shapes how I approach this work: I don't see struggle within a rigid system as a limit on ability. I hold an Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC, and I've worked as a clinical counselor, school counselor, graduate faculty instructor, and student affairs administrator.

You may be trying to keep things together while feeling anxious, down, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to get back to feeling like yourself. Maybe past experiences are still affecting you, relationships have become difficult to navigate, or you're struggling to understand why you keep reacting in ways you don't want to. For teens, this can look like withdrawing, feeling misunderstood, struggling at school, or having emotions that feel difficult to manage. For parents, it may mean trying to support your child while also feeling unsure of what to do next. I work with teens, parents, and adults navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges, and I strive to make therapy feel warm, genuine, and easy to talk about.

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.

Welcome ! I’m grateful you're considering therapy and taking this important step toward your well-being, With over 20 years of experience and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Ball State University, I've had the privilege of working with clients navigating a wide range of concerns-from ADHD, Autism diagnostic assessments to Women's health issues and beyond.