Therapists in Merrillville, IN

I offer hope to individuals and couples by speaking the truth in love in a safe, non-judging atmosphere. With my encouragement you will determine what needs to change and together we'll make a plan in which you will feel in control. People seeking growth, solutions, and healing are my ideal clients. My strengths: treating anxiety, stress, trauma issues, depression and other negative feelings, as well as coaching skills in communication and conflict resolution for couples.

I am a trained Life Coach and Sex Addiction Professional with a focus on treating individuals impacted by sexual addiction, porn addiction, secret affairs, and traumatic events that impact their daily lives. Whether you are struggling with unwanted sexual behavior or wanting to work through a time of depression, broken relationships, or seeking life purpose, I'd love to help. We will work together to explore the underlying causes of unhealthy behavior so you can heal and begin to thrive in life.

Are you tired of waiting lists? Wait no longer! I am a Clinical Mental Health Counselor licensed and serving in the states of Indiana and Illinois. I have over 15 experiences experience working in a variety of treatment settings, both civilian and military. I have experience treating clients with issues related to trauma, depression, mood, anxiety, impulse control, grief - loss, personality, psychosis, more. I am skilled in treating most ages (6 years old to the elderly). I am trained in several evidenced-based treatment approaches. Whatever your goals for treatment are, I can assist you.

Starting counseling is a significant decision. Counseling can sometimes lead to intense emotions, and clients sometimes feel worse before they feel better. However, counseling often leads to significant symptom reduction, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, and increased skills for managing stress.

My ideal client is someone who is open to exploring their emotions. Someone who values collaboration and trusts the therapeutic process. This client maybe dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, or medical trauma. They are motivated to engage in cognitive behavioral therapy techniques as well as person centered approach.

We all seek a way to feel heard, understood, and valued for who we are. Often, finding the right way to express our needs and values with those we love can get a bit lost in translation. I work with many individuals, couples, and families to reconnect and focus on expressing their wants and needs to each other to reduce tension and promote life-long skills that can be applied in any relationship. Knowing that there is hope and a safe space to work through some of life's most difficult challenges can be a life-changing experience I wish anyone to have.

Over the years and after receiving thousands of initial calls and emails from clients, it is clear that many are unsure of what they need or where to go. We find great pleasure in helping clients navigate this process. As a group practice we are able to provide services for a variety of needs: anxiety, addictions, pain management, depression, relationship issues, psychological testing, individual, life transitions and even helping clients who just want to live their best life! We stand out in our efforts to make this process as smooth as possible. Many providers boast about their training in a particular treatment approach (and this is important) but research suggests that the interventions are only part of the story. The fit between client and clinician, the wellbeing of the clinician, the ease of access and the experience of the treatment process matter as much, and sometimes more, than the particular treatment model used. Pillars of Wellness was founded with the hope of ensuring an ideal client-clinician fit and providing both clients and clinicians with a positive experience. We let our clinicians excel at their craft by giving them the space to create their ideal practice.

My ideal client is one who is ready to make a change, be challenged and is willing to do the work and take the necessary steps to improve their quality of life as well as their relationships whatever they may be. They believe they are capable of much more than they have ever realized or what they were told by certain people in their lives. They want to become un-stuck and learn new strategies and approaches to the struggles that have prevented them from living a life worth living.

Life is about the journey, not getting to the station. Take charge of yourself and live your life. Make it a masterpiece. In the past 27 years, I have worked in community mental health, inpatient and outpatient settings, corrections and private practice. I specialize in trauma work, EMDR, gender issues, addictions, mood and personality disorders. We are stronger than we believe we can be. Together we will discover that strength.

Specialties: Neuropsychology, psychological testing and evaluation, attachment disorders, personality disorders, sex trafficking victims, domestic violence victims, juvenile delinquency, academic failure,school adjustment, mental illness in all ages, child abuse and neglect, family therapy, couples therapy, marital therapy, trauma treatment, parenting challenges, foster care and foster parenting. She specializes in women's health issues, male relationships and commitment issues, couples therapy, divorce mediation and is a credentialed custody evaluator and disability evaluator. She is the author of two books and two clinical workbooks. The book, "How to Nurture the Traumatized Child" is available on Amazon.

Nothing is more important or challenging than parenting. I offer help and hope as a parent coach for support and direction in enhancing your skills, or the deeper assistance of therapy for trauma-affected children. I help to clarify trauma's developmental impact and effect on the danger response system, attachment, self-regulation, and competency. I encourage attachment by helping you and your child with attunement, attentiveness, emotion control, consistency, and using routines and rituals. I help parents understand and deal with extreme behaviors, such as lying, stealing, food-hoarding, self-mutilation, and aggression.

You are here because you need help. You want a counselor who will listen to you with concern, engage with you, help you uncover your deep wounds and express the pain they have left in you. I will be that counselor for you. I will help you find your inner goodness and strength, challenge you when necessary, and always encourage and support you. I will help you recover the healthy, happy you, your true self. I will give you tools and guide you in using them. I will dedicate every bit of wisdom, knowledge and experience I have toward your healing and wholeness.

Well done! You have decided to take the first step. Considering therapy is very courageous. Often times amazing individuals struggle silently with painful emotions, unwanted behaviors and strained relationships. As a therapist that focuses on your strengths, I am dedicated to providing a safe, healing environment in which you can discover underlying beliefs and feelings that may hinder your growth. As you become more self-aware, insight will follow. With insight intentional change can begin. Change is experienced at your own pace.

In this stressful world that we live in today, the essential activities that we all forget to participate in are to: Live, Breathe, & Play! I strive to provide a safe, nurturing and non-judgmental environment for those that I serve so that they may achieve their optimum health and wellness. In my practice, I utilize client-centered, integrative and holistic techniques to aid in helping persons obtain their maximum potential in their life and their relationships.