Contemplative Psychotherapy Therapists in South Bend, IN

I can help you get to the heart of your issues and make the lasting changes you’re longing for. Old patterns dissolve and new possibilities open up. My style is heartful, compassionate, down to earth and perceptive. When sitting with a client, I see ‘myself’ in them, and can feel what it’s like to be in your shoes. I’m then able to clearly sense exactly what is the most effective way to support you, in each moment. Having been in practice over 40 years, I'm a seasoned therapist and have the tools and experience to help resolve whatever is 'up' for you. In addition to talk, I use Brainspotting; EMDR; Body Centered therapy; Meditative approaches and Hypnotherapy.

Do you consider yourself spiritual, empathic, intuitive, creative, deep-thinking, or highly sensitive (HSP)? Do you sometimes struggle with emotional overwhelm, anxiety or depression? If you sense you have wounded inner child defense patterns from the past that block you from moving forward into the authentic self-expression of your needs and aspirations, I invite you into a therapy space where your originality, inner imagery, thoughts, and feelings can lead you towards greater wholeness, strength, and maturity.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding—of ourselves, our patterns, and the biological and emotional systems that shape how we experience the world. I work with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns, integrating clinical experience, psychological insight, and education about how the brain and nervous system function under stress, trauma, and emotional strain. Throughout my career in community mental health, private practice, medical settings, and teaching, I have worked with people facing complex emotional and relational challenges. These experiences have shaped a practical, compassionate, and direct style that focuses on helping clients understand why they feel and react the way they do, while developing concrete skills for change. I believe therapy is not only about symptom relief but about increasing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the ability to navigate life with greater clarity and intention. My work often includes helping clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses. By learning how to regulate the nervous system and tolerate uncertainty, individuals can respond more thoughtfully rather than react automatically. I aim to create a collaborative and respectful therapeutic environment where clients feel safe to explore difficult experiences, retell their stories when needed, and move toward a stronger sense of stability and self-understanding. Therapy is a process of growth, accountability, and compassion. Whether someone is navigating anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, trauma, or life transitions, my goal is to help them build insight, resilience, and a more grounded sense of who they are and how they want to live.

I provide online therapy centered on personal growth and fulfillment. Recognizing that life's difficulties often prompt the search for a therapist, our work will address these immediate concerns while exploring the broader path to a meaningful life, uniquely defined by you. My approach integrates relational psychoanalysis, integral philosophy, and Eastern wisdom traditions, emphasizing mindfulness and compassion. I prioritize the present moment within our therapeutic relationship, using this focus as a means for reflection, insight, and transformation as we collaboratively create a space to understand the significant particular and universal experiences of your life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to create meaningful, measurable change in how they feel, function, and relate to others. My approach is evidence-based, empathic, and solution-focused, with therapy centered on helping you achieve clear goals so that progress is noticeable in daily life. I work with a wide range of concerns—including anxiety, low mood, loss, self-doubt, and life transitions—and have particular expertise in performance psychology, public speaking anxiety, panic attacks, fear of flying, and questions of purpose or meaning. If you’re unsure whether therapy is the right next step, I also offer a one-time consultation assessment to help clarify what may be contributing to your current stress and identify effective pathways forward, whether through therapy or other strategies.

South Bend is an Indiana city historically defined by the Studebaker automobile company—which closed in 1963, leaving a significant deindustrialization legacy—and by the University of Notre Dame, whose global prestige and Catholic intellectual tradition sit just outside the city limits in an unusual town-gown relationship, and the city gained wider attention when its mayor Pete Buttigieg ran for president, reflecting an ongoing effort to position South Bend as a model for revitalizing Midwestern post-industrial cities. The city has a significant Black community that has faced longstanding disparities in economic opportunity, and the mental health landscape is marked by racial stress alongside the general challenges of economic revitalization. Beacon Health System provides behavioral health services, and a private therapy sector serves the university-adjacent and professional communities. Common therapy concerns include racial identity and systemic stress, economic anxiety and community transition, Notre Dame student mental health, faith and Catholic identity, and the emotional complexity of a city working to define itself beyond the stories of what it has lost.

Gender ID

	64%	Female
	36%	Male

Session Type

	82%	Online Only
	18%	In Person and Online

Top Specialties

91%	Anxiety or Fears
82%	Depression
64%	Relationship and Marriage Counseling
64%	Stress
55%	Divorce
55%	Self Esteem
55%	Social Anxiety

Ages Served

100%	Adult
55%	Young Adult
45%	Senior
36%	Teen

Client Focus

55%	Women
36%	LGBTQ+
36%	Men
27%	Buddhist
27%	Jewish

Contemplative Psychotherapy therapists in South Bend, IN

Elinor Nygren Szapiro

Shelley Klammer

Jason Herr

Dr. Daniel Cantor

Alan Jacobson, Psy.D.