Find a therapist in South Bend, IN — covered by insurance

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience primarily working with families, teenagers, women's issues, medical and behavioral health focused as well as crisis support. I am also a dog lover, a concert goer and enjoy silly-goose humor. I'm here to offer guidance and support from my training and years of experience. I have many years of experience in medical settings (NICU, PICU, child and adult ER) as well as Behavioral Health (SMI and EAP). You are the expert of your life and I want to see you live it to the max.

I believe that therapy is a space that belongs to you and is nurtured by your therapist for you. Through this healing environment, I give you the tools to change self-defeating behaviors.

If anxiety, depression, trauma or difficult family circumstances are making life feel heavier, you do not have to navigate them alone. Whether you are a teen, adult, parent, or family, therapy can offer a supportive place to feel heard, understand what is happening, and begin moving forward. Together, we can build practical coping skills, strengthen relationships, and work toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.

As a board certified psychotherapist I have seen firsthand the importance of our mental health and the powerful effects that it can have on our lives. Seeking help can be difficult. I applaud you on the taking the first step in making a lasting change in your life! I am of Christian faith. I have been practicing in a variety of different social work related fields for the last 20 years, most recently focusing on anxiety, depression, and past trauma.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and my Master of Social Work from Indiana University. With over 10 years of experience, I support individuals in managing anxiety, navigating depression, and healing from past trauma.

My approach blends evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness with a spiritually grounded perspective. While therapy is rooted in clinical skill, I also create space for deeper connection—often integrating spiritual awareness into the work for those who are open to it. I believe healing is not just mental, but also deeply internal and, at times, spiritual.

I've been a therapist for over 25 years, helping people with anxiety, depression and addictions. I've worked in a variety of settings over the years and understand how challenging it is to make changes in life.

If you're carrying something that's hard to put into words — trauma, grief, chronic stress, infertility, or the particular weight that comes from serving others— you don't have to figure out how to start the conversation. Whether you are struggling in high school, college, or the world of adulting, I'll help with that. I came back to therapy because I noticed a high number of individuals in need but not enough therapists who are able to navigate cultural diversity in therapy.

I am a Guyanese-born American-raised world traveler who has experienced life and appreciates diversity in all aspects. I bring a holistic lens to my private practice, working with adults and families facing PTSD, trauma, infertility, sleep challenges, and the hard parts of life that don't fit into a tidy category.

I believe your mental health, physical health, and sense of purpose are all connected — and we work with all of it.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and National Board‐Certified Health and Wellness Coach with extensive experience in veteran-centered care, higher education, and community mental health. I have extensive knowledge and practice in individual and group interventions. I am also passionate about process improvements in self and organizations. I have contributed to and led Lean Six Sigma process‐improvement initiatives. Prior to my current role at the VA Hospital, I spent nearly a decade as an Assistant Professor of Social Work and held key administrative roles in field education, accreditation, and curriculum development.

My earlier clinical career includes intensive in‐home therapy, crisis intervention, and supervisory leadership supporting high‐risk children, families, and adults. Across all roles, I am known for my commitment to holistic care, spiritually and culturally responsive practice, and the development of systems that enhance learning, wellness, and community impact.

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.