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CATHY BATKA, PH.D., HSPP; DIRECTORIt has been more than 20 years that I have been practicing as a psychologist. I obtained my undergraduate degree in psychology from The Ohio State University. In 2001, I finished my doctoral training at Western Michigan University. My pre-doctoral internship was at The Penn State University's Counseling and Psychological Services. From there I worked in a faculty position teaching master's level counseling psychology and counselor education graduate students. However, most of my career has been providing clinical services in university counseling centers. I spent 7 years at the Bowling Green State University counseling center and 8 years at the Indiana University Counseling and Psychological Services. Then I started my private practice in the fall of 2015 and opened The Highlands Psychology Group in 2017. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
I have worked with a wide range of concerns in my clinical practice. Although my clinical work will be individualized, I use a Relational Therapy approach combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques. That means we will initially address symptoms (e.g. sleep disturbance, anxiety), then we will focus on how and when the issues developed. I have found that if you understand why you experience symptoms and how the issues developed, it is easier for you to resolve your concerns and decrease the chances for it to occur again. My specialty areas are - trauma, disordered eating, couples therapy, and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender/gender fluid, and queer identified people. I also greatly enjoy providing supervision and training. I have provided clinical training to master's students in their first clinical experience, field placement supervision, doctoral practicum students, pre-doctoral interns, and post-doctoral clinicians. This includes individual supervision, supervision of supervision, and supervision of group work. I have also provided training for suicide prevention, professional development, and Psychological First Aid to be used in disaster response. |
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ALEXIS BERGMAN, MSW, LSW, CONTRACT THERAPISTBoth in life and in therapy services I seek to practice compassionate curiosity, creating an environment where you can feel supported on your journey to emotional and mental well-being. I work to integrate evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I look to blend these practices and skills with a holistic approach, fostering a safe and non-judgmental space where you can explore your strengths as well as challenges.
I believe in empowering people by equipping them with practical coping strategies and insights to navigate life's complexities with resilience and confidence. This might include considering spirituality if a client wishes. My clinical experience includes work with older teens, and adults across the lifespan around anxiety disorders, depression, grief, chronic illness, disordered eating, and relationship issues. Professionally I have worked in Inpatient and Residential programs treating eating disorders as well as neurodiverse individuals. I have also provided therapeutic services in outpatient settings, most recently with cancer survivors and/or their friends and family members. |
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KATIE CULLISON, PH.D., HSPP; CONTRACT THERAPISTFor as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about understanding the human experience. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2006. At that point, I moved to Bloomington to begin my graduate training at IU in the School Psychology program and completed my doctoral degree in 2015. During my training, I worked in multiple settings, including schools, community mental health centers, university settings, and medical clinics, and with clients of varying ages. I joined the Highlands Psychology Group in 2019 and became a licensed Health Service Provider in Psychology the same year. In addition to individual clinical work with clients, I have enjoyed teaching both undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at Indiana University and Illinois State University.
My approach to supporting clients is cognitive-behavioral and compassion-focused in nature, and I integrate other perspectives and techniques (person-centered, ACT, DBT, relational) into work with clients as appropriate. I enjoy authentically connecting with clients to make desired life changes and be more compassionate, understanding, and accepting toward themselves. Often this work involves facilitating greater awareness of the body sensations, thought patterns, and emotions clients experience and learning to intentionally respond, rather than react, to these experiences. I aim to support my clients in developing ways to approach life obstacles differently and gain knowledge and skills to acknowledge and utilize their unique strengths and resources. Counseling appointments are typically one hour per week, but a lot of our living occurs during “real-life” outside of session. Often I utilize homework, both written and experiential, to have clients more effectively make desired changes and try on different ways of thinking and being. Other sessions may involve an emphasis on reflection more than skill-building. I incorporate my humanity into my interactions and view it as a privilege and honor to be a guide and witness to healing work. I connect with clients through warmth, humor, genuineness, and compassion to help them develop greater acceptance of the human experience. I am social justice oriented, LGBTQ+ affirming, and neurodiversity affirming in my life and in my practice. I have experience with clients of varying ages from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. My areas of interest include: anxiety disorders, identity exploration, family of origin issues, life transitions, trauma and childhood emotional neglect, body image, self-compassion, and mindfulness. |
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ERIC ESTERS, MA, LMHC; CONTRACT THERAPIST I believe the foundations of a therapeutic relationship to be kindness, acceptance, and relatability. These are the building blocks upon which my expertise rests. My intention is to genuinely connect as a human-being and use my therapeutic training to help find individualized paths to wellness. I use interpersonal therapy to help with need fulfillment and more effective communication in relationships. I also use EMDR therapy to help reduce disruptive symptoms, reprocess unresolved traumatic experiences, and restore freedom and balance to life. I also incorporate mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral approaches into therapy sessions to help relieve stress, pain, and substance cravings.
I’m a Certified EMDR Therapist, a licensed counselor in Indiana and Tennessee, and am nationally board-certified. I have 10 years experience in the field of health and 6 years practicing therapy. Prior to counseling, I worked in human subjects research with autism spectrum disorders, toured the country as a musician and entertainer, worked with public health initiatives, taught college courses, and co-founded a successful plant-based food business. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Lipscomb University, Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, and completed clinical training in psychotherapy & behavioral medicine at Vanderbilt University’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. My specialty areas are - trauma, substance use, professionals with mental illness, & chronic pain. |
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WEI-CHENG (WILSON) HSIAO, PH.D., HSPP;
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NICKI MANNIA, MA, LMHC; CONTRACT THERAPIST I graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies. I went on to getting my Master’s degree in Counseling at Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 after working for five years with clients with developmental disabilities. I am currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
I have been in the mental health field in some capacity for the last 8 years working in multiple settings with various populations, ages, and diagnoses. Some of those settings include in home/group home settings, psychiatric hospitals (residential and acute units), and in community mental health. My clinical orientation is based in a relational approach combined with cognitive behavioral techniques. I typically will take in symptoms and presenting concerns while focusing on the relationships, emotions and thought patterns present and how our relationships with others and thoughts can create positive and productive outcomes, but also maladaptive behaviors and narratives. However, I do believe in a person-centered approach, and will adapt approaches for what will work for an individual client. Overall, I want to provide a positive productive experience for my clients that leads to a more meaningful and fulfilled life. I also consider myself highly influenced by other approaches including humanistic, existential, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), solution focused therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). I am currently a trained DBT therapist with experience working in group and in individual settings with this approach. My specialty areas include trauma, childhood abuse, anxiety, depression, relational issues, academic issues, grief/loss, life transitions, presenting concerns surrounding impulsivity, and personality disorders. |
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GIFF REED, M.S. Ed., LMHC-A, CONTRACT THERAPISTOver the past 20 years I have worked with high school, college-aged, and adult
people in a variety of settings; including campus ministry, career counseling/coaching, and local pastoral ministry. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University. In Spring 2024, I completed my Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Indiana University and look forward to being rooted in the Bloomington community for many years to come. My therapeutic approach is profoundly relational and is primarily grounded in Person-centered and Narrative therapy. I incorporate approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment Theory, Existential Therapy, and Mindfulness most often – while also adapting interventions/approaches to best meet client needs. I collaborate with clients to help them narrow the gap between what they believe (about themselves, others, and the world) and what they actually experience by creating safe spaces for people to be vulnerable and honest about the deep parts of their lives. I strive to meet people where they are, no matter where that is, helping them pursue healing, wholeness, and transformation. My clinical interests are diverse and include helping individuals and couples work through anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorder/recovery, life transitions, vocation/career exploration/discernment, and relational issues. My specialty areas are navigating faith/religious crisis, faith deconstruction/reconstruction, and Christian spiritual formation. |
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BECKY ROSE, MSW, LCSW, CONTRACT THERAPIST
I have always been passionate about connecting with people on a deep and meaningful
level, and I want to help you navigate through life’s challenges and transitions with ease. Embarking on a journey of healing and vulnerability can feel intimidating, but it also takes bravery, curiosity, and self-compassion. I’ll meet you where you’re at by providing a safe space for you to share your story. I’ll be there to listen with compassion, help you make connections and gain insight, and meet you with empathy, attunement, and non-judgement as you strengthen your identity and sense of self. I utilize a mix of humanistic, strength-based, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, trauma-informed, and relational therapy modalities to personalize the best approach for my clients. My clinical areas of interest are: anxiety, depression, infertility, adoption, grief, interpersonal relationships, and life transitions. Since earning my Master of Social Work from Indiana University in 2002, I’ve provided services for children in foster care, counseled adolescents at risk of not graduating from high school, and for the last 14 years I have been the Director of Student Services for the Monroe County Community School Corporation. When I’m not working or spending time with my family, you can find me running trails in the woods with my energetic pup! As humans, we are always developing, growing, and evolving. I look forward to giving you the space you need to grow, and together we will explore ways for you to feel peace, confidence, and joy within yourself. |
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CINDI WINEGARDNER, MSW, LCSW; CONTRACT THERAPISTIn more than 30 years of practice, I have had the privilege of a wide range of experiences working with children, adolescents and young adults. I received my undergraduate degree from Milligan College (now University) and my MSW from Indiana University (at IUPUI). I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Indiana.
My specialty areas are anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I work primarily with ages 8 through young adults. October 2023 - I recently completed training in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) which is a parent-based treatment program for parents of anxious children. More information can be found at www.spacetreatment.net. My clinical work is based in cognitive behavioral techniques and exposure response prevention within a collaborative relationship – “meeting clients where they’re at.” This work is often challenging as people are facing fears – the foundation of working together to set goals and create plans to meet those goals is extremely important. I have also enjoyed providing supervision and consultation to graduate students and newer clinicians over the years. |
