
Tamara Banks
Hi! My name is Tamara. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I have been working in the counseling field since 2001. I hold certifications as a National Board Certified Counselor, School Counselor and Violence, Loss and Trauma Counseling. I earned my Master's in Counseling and Educational Specialist in Counselor Supervision degrees from Marshall University Graduate College, where I also work as an adjunct professor. I have experience working with clients of all ages, school aged to adult, who have experienced depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, self-esteem, self-harm, PTSD, and trauma. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches including impact therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused, transactional analysis, choice theory and trauma therapies. I tailor my approach to you and your needs. I believe it is important to find a therapist who is a good fit. I am a compassionate and straightforward counselor who is genuinely interested in the improvement in your quality of life. I believe we all need a little help and support from time to time, and I hope to help erase the stigma that is sometimes associated with "seeing a counselor". It takes courage to reach out. If you are ready to take that next step, I am ready to work with you. I work full time as a school counselor, so I schedule my own appointments. Once we determine that we are a good fit for working together, you can tell me times that work best for you for an appointment, and I will schedule . It has been my privilege and honor to work with my clients, and I am looking forward to working with you.

Maria Gaum
I am a licensed professional counselor, currently licensed in West Virginia and South Carolina, with 10+ years of clinical work experience in both intensive outpatient group therapy and individual therapy with adults with serious mental health diagnoses to develop and improve coping skills to manage life- and mental health related stressors. I work with clients to improve skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, history of adverse childhood experiences and attachment rupture. I am well versed in trauma therapy and in accompanying clients to come to terms with past trauma. I also work with clients to develop skills to cope with life changes such as loss of role, changes in health, and adjusting to developmental stages in adult life. I have experienced and seen the benefits of a warm therapeutic relationship in creating change in clients, and the importance of engaging clients to recognize their existing strengths and skills that can be applied to manage stressors, overcome challenges, and to improve quality of life. I use a variety of theoretical treatment approaches as it fits the client - no one theory fits all. I will work with you to develop a therapeutic language that resonates with you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and you have taken that first step! I am looking forward to work with you!

Erin Krusec
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2008 in WV and PA with significant clinical experience in a variety of settings including inpatient, residential and community treatment. My clinical experience includes working with clients who present with mood and related disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety, trauma and stress related disorders, gender responsive treatment, healthy communication skills, substance abuse issues and other mental disorders. I utilize integrated therapeutic approaches to include Trauma-based treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Strength-based Therapy. I tailor my treatment to what is most helpful to you based on my training and experience. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Melissa Dawicki
Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! I'm so proud of you for deciding to take care of yourself and joining me at BetterHelp! I look forward to getting to know you. I understand that you’re nervous --that’s common and to be expected! Taking the first step is always the hardest in anything we pursue in life- I am here to give you the support, encouragement and empowerment to take control of your life! You can rest assured that you have found a safe and supportive environment here at Better Help. We will start out by getting to know each other more and how I can help. I'm always open to your feedback about how it's going and what you need. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of South Carolina, West Virginia and Maine with over 17 years of behavioral health experience working with individuals and families in multiple settings including community mental health, emergency room, private practice and telehealth. Throughout my career, I have worked with symptoms including but not limited to depression, anxiety, stress management, anger management and relationship issues among others. In working with patients, I refer to Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Solution-Focused Therapy. I check messages 2-3 times per day, Monday-Thursday up until 4:00. I am unable to see patients from 12:00-1:00 during the week and do not see patients after 5:00 pm due to outside obligations. Saturdays and Sundays are my days off, as well as holidays. I am based out of South Carolina and therefore am on EST. To avoid double bookings with appointments, it’s best for me to schedule appointments. I am available for appointments Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Please let me know what your needs are with availability, and I will do my best to accommodate your needs. With this said, I would like to establish a few general guidelines: counseling can be empowering but it also requires a commitment to change- please be patient as symptoms and issues are processed and explored and understand that it takes time to gain strength. Most presenting symptoms are deep rooted and require more than a few short correspondences to fully resolve. Also, please be mindful that this is a paid subscription so it is to your advantage to actively participate in treatment and keep the lines of communication open. Please take note that after two no shows or same day appointment cancellations, I will recommend that you switch to another provider. My time is just as valuable as yours and appointment no shows and cancellations result in financial loss. I also ask that you please understand that not all cases are appropriate for online counseling and some are better suited for an office setting. I do not accept any cases with substance abuse or addiction of any kind as a chief complaint. Please remember you have access to the room 24/7 and may write as much as you want, anytime. Longer posts from you typically take me a few days to process and fully respond to. Also, few logistics as we start - here's information about: 1) the informed consent 2) confidentiality 3) safety I want to be sure to go over informed consent and mandated reporting and some other important information. Your emergency contact information is secure and I am bound by confidentiality, which means everything you tell me stays in this room with the following exceptions, as I am a mandated reporter: (1) if you are suicidal/homicidal, (2) abuse/neglect to a child, elderly or disabled person, (3) if I am subpoenaed by a court. Informed consent means you are consenting to therapy services with me and understand all of your rights, as explained in the informed consent document you sign. You will receive a request to complete your emergency contact information which must be completed before we start working together. The information will never be used if you become silent, but only in a true emergency, as I am always going to do my best to ensure your safety. Speaking of safety, as we work together I want to let you know that BetterHelp is not a crisis center. Please make note of the emergency procedures and resources listed below should a crisis arise during my time off or when I am offline. Even though there is an option to mark messages as urgent please do not use that for crisis situations. Marking a message as urgent does not ensure I will see it or respond quicker. Urgent/Emergent Resources: You can go to your local emergency room, call 911, or call 1-833-929-1721 www.hopeline.com to access a database of suicide crisis hotlines or dial 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) from your area and you will be immediately connected with a trained crisis counselor. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for crisis support. Please take note of the following additional resources for urgent/emergent crisis situations: FOR SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS: South Carolina Mobile Crisis: 1-833-364-2274 South Carolina NAMI: 1-800-950-6264 Crisis Text Line: 741741 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 FOR WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTS: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 Crisis Text Line: 741741. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): (304) 445-7866 Call or text 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498). HELP4WV offers a 24/7 call, chat and text line that provides immediate help for any West Virginian struggling with an addiction or mental health issue. Help304 - West Virginia's Emotional Strength Line: Call 1-877-HELP304, text 877-435-7304 or chat (www.help304.com). HELP304 Provides social, emotional, and supportive counseling via call, text, and chat. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 FOR MAINE RESIDENTS: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 Maine Crisis Line: 1-888-568-1112 Nami Maine: 1-800-464-5767 (Press 1) The Intentional Peer Support Warm Line: 1-866-771-WARM (9276) or 711 (Maine Relay). The Intentional Peer Support Warm Line is available toll-free from anywhere in Maine, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a mental health peer-to-peer phone support program offering mutual conversations with a trained specialist who has life experience with mental health and/or substance use issues and recovery. Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-866-834-HELP (4357) Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-800-871-7741 (Voice) or 711 (Maine Relay) Crisis Text Line at 741741 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Please let me know if you have any current/past safety concerns. We will continue to discuss this as we get to know one another. Have a great day - I'll be back to check in and will talk to you more soon!

Katherine Ward
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in West Virginia. I have experience helping clients manage stress, anxiety, and depression, cope with addictions, and navigate motivation, self-esteem, and relationship issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will always tailor our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. My aim is to create an environment and dynamic of comfort and security with all of my clients. It takes courage to be vulnerable and begin stepping toward the changes you want to see in your life. I am here to support and empower you in that journey!

Stephanie Casto
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist based in West Virginia. I am also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. I have 5 years of therapy experience with clients of all ages, including kids, teens and adolescents. I have provided services both online and in person through an agency and in my private practice. The majority of my work over has been with clients who have experienced complex trauma due to abuse and neglect issues. I use a trauma-informed approach that focuses on gaining emotional regulation and processing experiences so that events of the past do not keep clients from building their best lives. I also have experience helping clients with depression, stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & anger management. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Tanya Lilly
I am licensed in West Virginia with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Anna Klosek
I received my M.A. in Psychology in 2000 and my Ed.S. in School Psychology in 2001 from Marshall University with additional post-graduate coursework in Counseling from Liberty University and Marshall University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in West Virginia with 16 years of professional counseling work experience. I am also certified as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional by Evergreen Certifications. In addition to my professional counseling experience, I was a School Psychologist for many years, and I have worked in various other mental and behavioral health capacities in inpatient and outpatient settings, social service organizations, and school systems. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, depression, and trauma. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor your treatment to meet your unique and specific needs. In general, I utilize an eclectic strengths based therapeutic approach to counseling, while often integrating cognitive behavioral strategies along with other modalities. I completed additional coursework that included incorporating Christianity into counseling and have been a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors for many years. I am open to utilizing prayer, scripture, and other Christian ideology in the counseling process, when the client is open to doing so. I believe that an effective counseling relationship requires the counselor and client to work collaboratively. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

Caitlin Johnson
Hi! My name is Caitlin and I am licensed in West Virginia and Virginia as an Independent Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of professional work experience, though I have worked as a Social Worker for about 10 years. My experience comes from providing direct mental health and behavioral counseling for kids, teens, and adults with a variety of presenting issues including stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I love to work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where they set their own goals and we work together to achieve them. I believe that each person has the right to determine how their life should be lived and that my role is to help them find what they consider to be the best version of themselves. I often use humor to form connections and believe that without a strong therapeutic relationship therapy is often unsuccessful. I'm so glad that you have decided to take this step toward a more fulfilling and happier life. If you are ready to get to work, I'm here to support and empower you.

Jessica Deardorff
I am a licensed therapist based in West Virginia with three years of professional therapy experience. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals facing a range of challenges, including stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. My approach is centered on creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel respected, supported, and truly heard. Together, we will collaborate to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Taking the first step toward therapy can be challenging, but it’s a brave decision. I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Find a therapist serving clients in West Virginia
Types of therapists available to clients in Gary
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Gary that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Gary available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Gary therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Gary therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Gary region and in the state of West Virginia.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Gary can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Gary may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.