ResponderStrong Indiana

Credentials: MA, LMHC, LCAC, NCC

Phone Number: (219) 641-3027 

Email Address: JamesBermanLMHC@aol.com

Location: 253 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383 

Website: www.ValparaisoPsychotherapy.com 

Offers in-person appointments and online appointments

Bio: With 30 + years of experience as a psychotherapist, I will do everything possible to help you get the most out of your counseling sessions. Being in therapy should be a meaningful and transformative experience. It takes courage to face emotional, mental health, relationship, behavioral, abuse and addiction issues. It is necessary to feel comfortable, safe, and heard in your therapy relationship, as it is feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, and resentment that motivate us to seek change. I provide a safe, welcoming, discrete, and professional environment where you can explore your needs for personal growth and recovery.

Specialties: I have more than 20 years of experience working with first responders and military service members (active duty, reserves, and National Guard). I routinely receive referrals from police, sheriff, and fire departments in Lake and Porter counties as well as the Center For Excellence, and Star Behavioral Health. I have completed over 100 hours of clinical training through the Center for Deployment Psychology, specifically, addressing trauma, post-traumatic stress, and critical incident debriefing.

Treatment modalities offered: My clinical orientation is evidence based, utilizing several therapeutic models. There is no “one size fits all.” Clients need counseling that best meets their needs. I am an eclectic therapist, often utilizing Client Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, Imagery and metaphor, and experiential exercises.

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Most major insurances, including Blue Cross & Blue Shield, CIGNA, Aetna, UMR, UBH, and TRICARE. 

Credentials: LMHC-A

Phone Number: 219-928-6182 (cell), 219-791-1006 (to schedule appointments)

Email Address: kcrook@parkdalecenter.com

Location: 350 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton IN 46304

Offers exclusively online appointments

Website: https://parkdalecenter.com/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kathryn-crook-chesterton-in/1177648

Bio: 100% Telehealth. I work with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, & substance use disorders. I can aid in managing trauma and stress, specifically those who are first responders. I started my professional career as a police officer and am still proudly serving; therefore, can relate to the unique stressors and trauma experienced by this population. I can aid in breaking down larger goals into more easily obtainable goals to ensure we are reaching a place of being more content. You can expect me to be invested in your concerns, non-judgmental during the sessions, and empathetic to your situation.

I can serve anyone in Indiana and Illinois.

Specialties: I specialize in trauma and substance abuse. I was a first responder for 12 years and am peer support trained. I also can aid in managing anxiety, depression, coping skills, and other mood disorders.

Treatment modalities offered: I do individual therapy and run a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) for substance use which is group therapy.

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Elevance, United Health Care, and more. Would have to call and check with billing to see an individual’s benefits.

Credentials: Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Phone Number: 626-554-0408

Email Address: Drd@jovialmh.com

Location:  Telehealth Dyer Indiana

Offers exclusively online appointments

Website: http://www.jovialmh.com/

Bio: Dr. Jennifer D’Agostino is a Licensed Psychologist/Chief Psychologist and CEO at Jovial Mental Health LLC in Northwest Indiana. Dr. D’Agostino earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Military Psychology at Adler University, Chicago, Illinois. Her training focused on working with civilians, adolescents, military personnel, veterans, and their respective families. Dr. D’Agostino completed her doctoral internship at Jesse Brown VAMC, Chicago, Illinois, and Adam Benjamin VAMC, Crown Point, Indiana. She successfully completed her practicums at the Primary Care Center for Psychological Health, Lowell, Indiana, the Heartland Recovery Center, Lowell, Indiana, and the Lake County Juvenile Justice Complex, Crown Point, Indiana. Dr. D’Agostino earned her doctoral and undergraduate degrees with honors and is a member of the Tau Sigma Honor Society, the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society, and the Psi Chi Honor Society.

Specialties: I have worked with first responders from the military, Police, and other judicial personnel and first responders who are part of the medical field. I specialize in Anxiety and Truama. 

Treatment modalities offered: Dr. D’Agostino uses holistic, strength-based, and solution-focused models to help clients overcome life stressors, improve their relationships, and guide clients in a direction to pursue their dreams, aspirations, and goals. Her past training included working with children, adolescents, and adults who had difficulty overcoming fear of uncertainty, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, and chronic pain. While working with clients, Dr. D’Agostino utilizes evidence-based techniques that include supportive goal setting, personal growth, and behavior modification. Dr. D’Agostino believes that a key to empowering and motivating clients to achieve their goals is to build a trusting relationship, shared decision-making, and teaches clients effective techniques to foster success in the near future.

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Contact for more information

Credentials: MS, LMHC

Phone Number: 219-616-9996 (cell); 219-286-3907 (office)

Email Address: elizabethboesellmhc@gmail.com

Location: 3000 Murvihill Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383

Offers in-person appointment and online appointments. 

Website: https://geraldlewisinc.com/therapy-providers/elizabeth-a-boesel/ 

Bio:  Hello, my name is Elizabeth Dash.  I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Valparaiso, IN.    I have been a therapist for over 10 years, graduated from Purdue University, and I love what I do.   Wiley, my doodle mix is training to be a therapy dog, so he comes to work with me.  I am dedicated to helping you help yourself.  I am accepting a limited number of new clients.  If you are interested, please text me first, let’s chat, and see if this is a good therapeutic match for you.  

Specialties: I completed training in 2021 to be a therapist for first responders and I was able to participate in a ride-a-longs.  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been the most ideal treatment for trauma and I completed this training in 2022. 

Treatment modalities offered:  EMDR and CBT

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Self-Pay

Credentials: LCSW

Phone Number: 219-863-6854

Email Address: kdenton@valleyoaks.org

Location: Rensselaer

Offers in-person appointments, online appointments are an option

Bio: I have extensive experience with first responders. I worked in dispatch for almost ten years and my family are all first responders. I intentionally went to grad school to serve first responders. Currently, I am a branch director for a community mental health agency. I still see a diverse group of clients. In my spare time I enjoy my family and numerous hobbies.

Specialties: I specialize in trauma and addictions but I have a diverse experience with diagnoses.

Treatment modalities offered: CBT, EMDR, addictions. Play therapy, art therapy.

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Most insurance is accepted

Credentials: MSed MA LMHC-A NCC®

Phone Number:  248-495-1068

Email Address:  jlklemz@comcast.net

Location: Valparaiso, IN 

Offers in-person appointments and Telehealth, will work with clients to accommodate their schedule (days, evenings & weekends available)

Bio: I volunteer at the MAAC as a member of the Mental Health Initiative. I also volunteer on the Northwest Indiana Peer Support Group. In addition to my volunteer work, I also train surrounding departments on topics related to Wellness and Resiliency. 

As a clinician I enjoy providing supportive, culturally informed care to First Responders and their connected family members. My style is integrative, holistic, client-centered, and rooted in evidence-based practices. My clients come to therapy from a diverse range of First Responder backgrounds, experiences and career stages- from probationary training to retirees and everything in-between! 

I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship, and work with First Responders to identify the strengths needed to create calm, safety and resiliency in the face of life’s challenges. I create a safe space for clients to accept uncertainties, gain insights, explore new paths and respond with new ways of being. 

Specializes in: First Responders, Veterans and connected family members

Treatment modalities offered: Trauma-informed care, CBT, DBT, EMDR and PE Therapy.

Insurance and payment methods accepted: Most health insurance accepted (will verify before appointment), Health Savings Account, Cash & Credit Cards accepted.

Credentials: Clinical Psychologist, HSPP, NCC AP-MAC

Phone Number: 219 763-1499

Email Address: parksassociates1@aol.com

b 6337 Central Ave. Portage, IN 46368

Do you offer in-person appointments, online appointments, or both? Intake always in person, follow-up appointments to be determined by situation: in-person or telehealth.  MAAC referrals prioritized and responded to within 48 hours to schedule or start the process.

Bio: Growing up in Hammond before being drafted, I now have worked for 30+ years in practice of diagnosing and treating mental/emotional/addictive behaviors in out-patient settings.  20+ years US Army service including being certified as EMT while in the service.

Specialties: My practice specialties include trauma, addictions, military, police, fire, and EMS related issues.  

Treatment modalities offered:  Cognitive behavioral therapy, 12 Step informed science-based additions treatment, Critical incident stress debriefing/management.  Do not offer couples/marital therapy nor treatment of sex offenders.

Insurance and payment methods accepted:  Most insurance is accepted, private payment available, workers comp cases accepted on case-by-case basis.

Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Phone Number: (260) 207-4252 

Email Address: croberson@aypc.email

Location: 4646 West Jefferson Blvd. Suite #270, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Website: www.atyourpacecounseling.com 

Offers in-person appointments and online appointments

Bio: Passionate about helping individuals and families overcome trauma, Catanna is an Indiana Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, EMDRIA-approved Certified Therapist and Consultant-In-Training, and TCM Practitioner. As a mother to children with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, she understands the profound impact of support and has dedicated her career to advocacy and healing. 

Since 2012, she has worked in diverse settings—from nonprofit treatment centers and juvenile justice programs to pediatric outpatient care—helping individuals navigate trauma, PTSD, substance use, and complex neurodiverse conditions. In 2020, she founded At Your Pace Counseling, LLC to expand her specialized support for first responders and their families. 

Using a trauma-informed approach, she integrates evidence-based methods, including EMDR, TF-CBT, MBCT, IFS-Informed EMDR, The Cortina Method, and Somatic Experiencing, tailoring care to each client’s needs. She also fosters peer support programs to build community and reduce stigma. 

With advanced training in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga for EMDR, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, she focuses on treating trauma, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance use, crises, and relationship challenges. 

Inspired by her family’s military and law enforcement background, she provides a compassionate, transparent space where clients feel understood and empowered. 

Based in Fort Wayne, she enjoys family time, board games, horror movies, true crime podcasts, kayaking, hiking, and camping—often joined by her lively crew of pets: Java (Shih-Tzu), Freya (Golden Doodle), Loki (retired K9 Belgian Malinois), and Vega (a chunky cat none of the dogs agreed to).

Insurance and payment methods accepted: I accept Physicians Health Plan (PHP) of Northern Indiana which is transitioning to Vãlenz Care, Parkview Health Plan Policies (Signature Care – PPO and Parkview Value Plus “PVP” Network), Lutheran Preferred, Three Rivers Preferred +, Lutheran Advanced, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO, HMO, Indemnity/Traditional/Standard policy types), and Optum. I also offer cash pay options and have a sliding scale fee for First Responders. 

NWI First Responder Peer Support Group is a group of firefighters, EMS, police officers, and dispatchers dedicated to the mental health wellbeing of all first responders in Northwest Indiana and anywhere we are asked to deploy. We have an extensive list of clinicians willing to offer advice as well as put first responders on the path to mental health recovery. We strive to be the front-line defense for acute mental trauma, a helping hand in large scale incidents, and a general sounding board for any first responder in need. 

We are here to assist you and your department when crisis shows its true form. Reach out whenever you are in need. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. We, like all first responders, have your back.

24-Hour Number: 219-779-7802

NWIFRPSG@gmail.com

Lowell Black
Portage Fire Department
Ogden Dunes Fire Department
219-405-6692
Lgblack13.699@gmail.com

Jay Birky
Porter County Sheriff’s Department
Porter County Fire Association
Kouts Fire Department
DNR Conservation Officers
219-508-8187
jbirky@porterco-ps.org

Sandy Kender
Porter County Sheriff’s Office
Retired EMT-P, law enforcement and fire family
219-309-8741
sandykins58@yahoo.com

Brandon W. Kuhnz
District Chaplain, Shields Under Fire
Lead Chaplain, Fulton County Fire Association
574-847-9001
bkuhnz@icloud.com

Rev. Brian J. Nygaard: Ordained Minister
Trinity Memorial Lutheran – Merrillville, IN
Merrillville Fire Department
920-207-0674
Pastor.nygaard@gmail.com

Ruth A. Popkin
Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Chesterton, IN
ICPC Chaplain
Michigan City Police Department
Michigan City Fire Department
Indiana State Police
508-450-9860
pastor@blcin.com