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Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Merrillville, IN


Top trauma and PTSD therapists and psychiatrists in Merrillville, IN
Struggling with intrusive memories, nightmares, or avoidance after trauma? Headway connects Merrillville individuals with compassionate providers specializing in PTSD treatment using modalities like trauma-focused CBT, Written Exposure Therapy, and Relaxation Training. Sessions are available as soon as next day, with support for both talk therapy and medication management.
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.
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.
When life feels overwhelming, therapy can provide a space to slow down, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 30 years of experience in the mental health field, including more than 16 years providing therapy to adults facing life's challenges.
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 help adults break free from the weight of trauma and rebuild a sense of strength, clarity, and control. My background includes working in inpatient, partial hospitalization, and university settings, where I supported people facing trauma, crisis, and complex emotional struggles. I’ve run trauma processing groups for sexual assault survivors, provided therapy in a hospital program for teens and adults, and completed psychological evaluations for adults and older adults. These experiences shaped my calm, steady, trauma-informed approach and the way I show up for adults who are ready to heal.
I'm an LCSW practicing in Indiana, Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia, and Illinois. I specialize prenatal, childhood, and adolescent trauma, OCD, eating disorders, and ARFID. I currently see clients from age 2y through adulthood. I'm available for telehealth services and offer virtual psychotherapy and play therapy sessions.
Hello, and welcome. Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from your sense of purpose, fulfillment, or passion? Do you feel misunderstood by the people around you, or find yourself repeating unhealthy patterns that no longer serve you? Perhaps you want things to change but are unsure where to begin.
“It is okay not to be okay.” Life’s unexpected challenges can leave us feeling emotionally exhausted, uncertain, and alone. You do not have to navigate those experiences by yourself. I provide a private, safe, and supportive environment where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences while building greater self-awareness, healing, and resilience.
My name is Brenda Hardin, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with more than 20 years of professional experience. I am licensed in Indiana, New Jersey, and Virginia. I view therapy as a collaborative and empowering process that creates space for healing, personal growth, and meaningful change.
I specialize in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and life transitions.
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.
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