Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Bloomington, IN covered by Aetna

If you find yourself in a place where, by all appearances, you should be happy or fulfilled, yet something still feels missing, you are not alone. Sometimes, understanding ourselves requires us to look beyond what is happening on the surface. The experiences we have survived often shape the ways we think, feel, and move through the world. While those patterns may have once helped protect us, they can sometimes keep us from living the life we truly want today.

Together, we will explore your past, navigate your present, and envision the future you hope to create.

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.

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.

As a licensed mental health counselor, I believe everyone deserves a kind space to feel better and grow stronger. Taking the step to reach out is brave, so I’m proud of you for being here! I earned my master’s at Indiana State University and bring three years of caring experience to Ember Life Counseling. I specialize in helping kids with play-based support, trauma recovery, anxiety, relationships, and life changes in ways that feel right for you. I’m warm and energetic, and I’d love to welcome you!

I'm glad you're here! I want to be able to work with you to help you move forward, through the challenges. I enjoy working with individuals through difficult life circumstances, and helping to instill hope. I specialize in grief and loss, depression, trauma, and anxiety. I provide talk therapy and can include art therapy in sessions if requested, to help process thoughts and emotions non-verbally. Art can provide further insight into expression that words cannot do alone. I work with teens and adults in the office and/or via telehealth.

Life is full of traumatic events and we all have been traumatized to a certain degree. We are the only ones who can define it and we are all impacted differently by it. For many of us, our trauma negatively impacts our beliefs about ourselves and our worth. Having a negative core belief system often leads to substance abuse and other maladaptive behavior as a means to numb our pain and drown our shame. I have spent years working with individuals who struggle with substance use and addiction and have come to learn that the majority of them have suffered from trauma. You do not have to continue to suffer. I am here to help.

My calling as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker allows me to partner with clients in their places of greatest need, with a focus on complex post-traumatic stress. I employ a combination of talk, somatic and non-verbal eye movement based therapies. We will do deep trauma work while still making room for safety, warmth, and even a little playfulness. Because healing doesn’t have to happen in cold, serious rooms. Sometimes it happens barefoot, holding a fidget, with a sloth nearby and someone beside you who truly sees you.

I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a focus on practical, relationship-based mental health care. I specialize in medication management for conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and stress-related challenges, especially for working professionals and first responders. My approach is straightforward and collaborative. I take time to understand what’s actually going on and build a plan that fits your life. With an integrative mindset. I see medication and talk therapy as tools in a tool chest of mental wellness.