LGBT therapists in Merrillville, IN

Hello and congratulations for taking the first and sometimes hardest step of looking for a therapist. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of IN, KY LA, MO, NV, TX, WA and WV. I have the great privilege of working with adolescents and adults seeking assistance in improving their overall mental health and associated challenges. I’ve been in the behavioral health arena for over 40 years and have held numerous direct care and clinical leadership roles in a variety of settings. My joy comes from helping people navigate life's challenges.

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.

What empowers people to change? A clear direction and the tools needed to succeed. Thats why my counseling approach focuses on YOU and taking steps toward your own definition of success. With a mixture of existentialism, family systems, and cognitive therapies, we will work to discover what you hope to change in your life and walk through the steps needed to get there. Whether you are struggling with aspects of your relationships, identity, life stressors, grief, trauma, or you just need some general direction, we will focus on what matters to you.

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.

As a Clinical Psychologist, I have worked with adults navigating challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, job stressors, and substance use. Whether you’re coping with something acute or seeking long-term personal growth, therapy can help you develop insight and resilience.

I speak Haitian Creole!

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage! I am here to support you in that process.