Find a therapist in South Bend, IN — covered by insurance

I have over eighteen years of experience working with a diverse population seeking recovery from a great range of issues and needs. Over this time, I've assisted individuals seeking help with serious mental illness, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and stressors relating to housing and/or income stability, legal issues, divorce, grief, and religious trauma.

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.

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, I'm Chelsea! I am a therapist that values authenticity and openness in my practice that goes both ways. I strive to build a conversational-style atmosphere to help dissolve the barriers to care tied up in clinical "sterility". My experience has been significantly trauma-focused, and I feel confident and comfortable working with folks who have had a lot of life lived by the time they come to therapy.

For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they work toward healing, growth, and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, and Substance Abuse Professional, I bring both deep clinical knowledge and a compassionate, down-to-earth approach to therapy.

I specialize in helping clients navigate life’s most personal challenges—including relationship and intimacy concerns, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and mental health struggles. I also provide substance abuse treatment, DOT/SAP evaluations, and recovery support using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Reality Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, the Duluth Model, and the Matrix Model.

I have a special commitment to serving Black communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people living with HIV, re-entry populations, sex workers, and youth facing challenges. I understand how personal, cultural, and systemic factors shape each person’s story, and I create a safe, affirming space where clients feel truly seen and heard.

In our sessions, you can expect a respectful, judgment-free environment where your voice matters. I believe therapy works best as a partnership—we’ll set goals together, explore what’s holding you back, and develop practical strategies you can use in daily life a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re seeking support for a specific issue or simply want to invest in your personal growth, I’m here to help you take that next step.

Hello! I am glad to meet you and look forward to being part of your personal journey. First, a little about me and who you will be meeting.

I am a native of Southeastern North Carolina and graduated from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I transplanted to Louisville, KY in 1991 and pursued my Masters in Social Work Degree at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Between my early education, continued training and lived experiences, I am able to guide you to explore the mind, body, spirit connection.

I have experience working with all ages but most of my career has involved working with youth and their families.

I have a lot of experience addressing anxiety, depression, ADHD, LGBTQIA issues and parent/child problems and behavior issues. I have a growing interest in the area of women's health issues.

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.

I'm an LCSW practicing in Indiana, Florida, South Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Alabama, Idaho, and Illinois. I specialize prenatal, childhood, and adolescent trauma, OCD, and ARFID. I currently see clients from infancy through adulthood. I'm available for telehealth services and offer virtual psychotherapy and play therapy sessions.