CATHY BATKA, PH.D., HSPP; DIRECTOR

It 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.

KATIE CULLISON, PH.D., HSPP; CONTRACT THERAPIST

For 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.

​ERIC ESTERS, MA, LMHC; CONTRACT THERAPIST
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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.

ANAMARIA MCLAMB, MA, ART THERAPIST, CONTRACT THERAPIST

All my life, I have always wanted to help others. My education journey took me in different directions like biology, pre-medicine, and art before I went on the mental health path. I consider myself a creative person, a problem-solver, a team player, sensitive to people's needs. I am bilingual and culturally aware and have experience interacting with people from all over the world. My interest includes art, history, theology and Christianity, religion, medical field, science, and nature.

I graduated with a Bachelor in Art and a Minor in Psychology from Andrews University in Michigan in 2016. I also completed my graduate studies in Chicago at Adler University in 2018 and finished my Master’s degree of Art in Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy. I am also currently working towards my licensure, both as a clinical counselor and a registered art therapist.

Over the past three years that I have been working in mental health, I have come to understand that many areas in a patient’s life need addressing for overall recovery. This has let me have a therapeutic approach to counseling using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person Center, Adlerian Focus Therapy, and Art Therapy. 

My specialty areas are Child and Family Therapy, childhood abuse and neglect, trauma focus therapy, grief/lose, adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, art therapy, parenting, family issues, Christian therapy.

​NICKI MANNIA, MA, LMHC; CONTRACT THERAPIST
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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.

CINDI WINEGARDNER, MSW, LCSW; CONTRACT THERAPIST

In 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.

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.

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SKYLAR HAYWOOD, BS, MENTAL HEALTH INTERN

​I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Indianapolis in 2020 where I graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. While there I also was active in the honors college and graduated with honors. Currently, I am working on completing my master’s degree in counseling from Indiana University Bloomington.

I am drawn to cognitive-behavioral and person-centered approaches. I believe in adapting interventions to fit clients and working with clients to develop the best treatment. I value culturally competent care, incorporating my background in sociology for assistance in this process. My clinical interests are working with individuals with trauma and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.

GIFF REED, BA, MENTAL HEALTH INTERN

Over 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 (Religious Studies focus) from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and my Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Indiana University and look forward to being rooted in the Bloomington community.


My therapeutic approach is profoundly relational, combining person-centered and narrative therapy – 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 interests are diverse and include working with individuals and couples, trauma, substance use disorder/recovery, life transitions, and relational issues. My specialty areas are spiritual formation, faith deconstruction/reconstruction, and Christian spiritual formation.