Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Schaumburg, IL

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and have been in the mental health field for over 20 years.

Choosing the right provider is a big step, and I'm here to offer a unique blend of expertise and genuine support. I'm a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and a Certified Advanced Practice Addictions Nurse. What does this mean for you? It means I can offer truly integrated care, understanding how your physical and mental health are connected, and providing specialized support for addiction.

I have been practicing since 2012, after being clinically trained at Loyola University Chicago, where I spent extensive time working with both adolescents and adults.

I have been helping clients globally with a variety of issues in my core areas of expertise, including addiction, mood disorders, and identity issues.

I am also certified in Financial Social Work, bridging my passions for personal finance and emotional well-being.

Hello and thank you for taking the time to reach out! Do you ever have those days when things are especially difficult?? When "Life is Lifing" as we say?? Many of the people that I meet and work with are looking for support with mental health, substance abuse, and/or management of traumatic events. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I'm also a Mom of three and a dog Mom of two who likes to practice what I preach in my own life. As a strong believer in the mental/physical health connection, a lot of my focus is incorporating integrated health into our treatment approach. I also support an intimate hospice team in my area so I am comfortable having uncomfortable conversations about life. If you are interesting in giving therapy a shot, or just learning a bit more about my approach, feel free to reach out and we'll see where it takes us.

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 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.