Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Elgin, IL

I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. With a focus on both medication management and supportive psychotherapy, I treat adolescents and adults in navigating anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

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.

I have a fundamental belief in the transformative power of therapy. I come to this belief not just as a practicing therapist but as someone who was profoundly shaped by therapy as a young man. Having started my own journey with doubt and hesitation, I deeply respect the courage it takes to begin this work. Talking about therapy can feel tricky as jargon and platitudes often dominate the conversation. What I can say is this: I believe in your capacity—within a therapeutic relationship that intuitively feels right to you—to become a better version of yourself defined on your own terms.

I have a doctorate degree in nursing from Maryville University St Louis, Missouri. I have clinical experience in mental health services of over ten years. I excel in psychiatric evaluation and medication management,enhancing patient well-being through expert care and cultural competent practices.

With nearly thirty years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) I bring warmth and a genuine commitment to helping people move forward in their lives.

I work with a wide range of ages, from teens and young adults, to older individuals who find themselves at a crossroad and looking to make a change. Anxiety, Depression and Executive Functioning are several of the issues I cover. I also have a particular interest in Family Therapy, including the unique challenges that come with divorce and co-parenting.

I feel change really happens when we shift our attention toward new possibilities. I draw from a blend of cognitive therapy and interactive techniques tailored for the individuality of each client. My style is warm, direct, and often infused with humor, an essential part of healing.

I am highly responsive and profoundly invested in the well-being of every client.

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.