Our team
Get to know our team by reviewing the bios below. Have a question for someone on our team? Give us a call today at (574) 277-0274
Cindy Biskner
MA, LMFT, Staff Therapist
Clay Office
Cynthia (Cindy) Biskner received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Bethel University in 2003. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University in 1990. Cindy likes working with a variety of ages such as children (ages 6-12), adolescents, and adults. Cindy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor, a Register Play Therapy Supervisor (RPTS), Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), Certified in AutPlay Therapy and Certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Cindy is also trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Lifespan Integration (LI).
Cindy’s areas of specialty include play therapy, depression, anxiety (and other mood disorders); autism spectrum disorder, grief/loss, trauma, family counseling, marriage counseling and life transitions. Cindy utilizes a variety of treatment protocols such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), TF-CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), AutPlay Therapy, Prescriptive Play Therapy, and Adlerian Play Therapy to name a few that focuses on treating the specific needs of the client with the appropriate evidenced based treatment.
“When circumstances and issues overwhelm, there seems to be a belief by many that they do not have the answers to solve what they are experiencing, one of my hopes and goals as a therapist is to empower people to recognize the strengths and abilities they do have. I endeavor to be the compass pointing them to the true north of personal strengths and a positive sense of self.”
Michele Bowen
MSW, LCSW, Staff Therapist and Clinical Director
Main Office
Michele Bowen is licensed in Indiana and Michigan with 20 years of professional work experience. She has experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. Michele works with her clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. She is here to support you in that process.
Michele has worked in behavioral healthcare since 1994, in a variety of capacities. She is EMDR Certified (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and holds the credential of ACCTS (Advanced Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist) from the Arizona Trauma Institute. Additionally, Michele is a CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) from the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals. In her practice, she brings a theoretical framework tailored to the needs of the person being served. Her technical skills include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), co-occurring treatment, IFS for EMDR Therapists (Internal Family Systems), Motivational Interviewing, TF-CBT, and working with complex trauma and dissociation.
Clinically, Michele is interested in meeting people where they are at, creating a safe space, and working along side them to achieve their personal goals. She believes in a holistic approach (mind/body/spirit) to treating the whole person, and in each person’s innate capacity for resilience and healing with effective support. Nothing is more rewarding than helping others on their journey, as they strive to live life to the fullest. Building on personal strengths, while employing evidence based practices in a compassionate, ethical, and effective manner is her approach. She enjoys incorporating somatic work, meditation, mindfulness, and prayer into my practice for those that are comfortable. Michele is fully immersed in her own holistic self-care journey, and believes in intentional practice of the tools she shares with others. I see adults, couples, and adolescents.
Jacob Dobransky
MSW, LSW, Associate Staff Therapist
Hawthorne Square
Jacob Dobransky earned his Masters of Social Work from Indiana University of South Bend in 2012. He earned his Bachelors of Psychology from Indiana University of South Bend in 2008.
Jacob specializes in men’s issues (irritability, isolation, emotional numbness, shame, guilt, purpose and life goals, and low self-esteem), depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, behavioral/process addictions, anger management, narcissistic personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and faith-integrated therapy.
He works with veterans, first responders, students, working professionals, and blue collar workers, ages 18+.
Michelle Gibson
MSEd, LMHC, Staff Therapist
Main Office
Michelle Gibson earned her Masters of Science in Education with a focus in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University South Bend in 2018, and was that year’s recipient of the school’s Excellence in Clinical Mental Health Counseling award. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Iowa State University in 2014.
Michelle specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, grief, relationships, life-transitions, and womens issues. She enjoys assisting adolescents and adults.
Michelle is passionate about creating a warm and affirming space for individuals navigating life’s most difficult seasons. Her approach is person-centered and collaborative, rooted in the belief that healing begins when we feel truly seen and heard, and views the therapeutic relationship as the most powerful tool to help foster long-lasting change. Michelle combines this approach with a variety of therapeutic techniques tailored to each client’s individual needs, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Michelle is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is informed in Internal Family Systems (IFS), often utilizing these approaches, as well.
Michelle holds a License in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) in the state of Indiana, is a National Certified Counselor, and a member of the American Counseling Association.
Lauren Grocock
LCSW, Staff Therapist
Main Office
Lauren Grocock received her Master of Social Work from Indiana University South Bend in 2023. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from St. Mary’s College in 2017. Lauren’s areas of specialty include DBT, working with the LGBTQ+ population, families, children, anxiety, depression, and perinatal (pregnancy and post-partum). She treats children (ages 6-12), adolescents (ages 13-17), and adults.
Lauren is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and holds a School Social Worker accreditation. Lauren is licensed in the state of Indiana as a Social Worker.
Lorraine Karam
MA, LMHC, LCAC, Staff Therapist
Main Office
Lorraine Karam received her Master of Arts in clinical psychology in 1993 from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago and completed her undergraduate work in 1989 at Indiana University Bloomington. Lorraine’s areas of specialty include OCD, women’s issues, adult ADHD, and Christian Counseling. She treats adults.
Lorraine is certified through the North American Association of Masters in Psychology and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Shaune Thompson
MSEd, LMHC, Staff Therapist
Hawthorne Square
Shaune Thompson received her Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University South Bend in 2019 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with a Minor in Psychology from Indiana University South Bend in 2014. Shaune’s areas of specialty include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, domestic violence, sexual assault, and life transitions. She treats children (ages 6-12), adolescents (ages 13-17), and adults. Shaune utilizes a variety of treatment approaches based on the individuals she works with, including Client Centered Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and more.
Shaune is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Neuropsychotherapy. She is licensed in the state of Indiana as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She is a member of the Indiana Counseling Association and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Shaune believes in the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship and strives to cultivate a safe, collaborative space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. She views each person as inherently resilient and capable of growth, and that her role is to help uncover and strengthen those inner resources.
Eileen Varga
MSEd, LMHCA, Associate Staff Therapist
Main Office
Eileen Varga received her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University South Bend in 2025. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in English and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Virginia.
Eileen’s areas of specialization include depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, and stress management. She works with adolescents and adults. Eileen utilizes techniques drawn from a variety of therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Strengths-Based Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).
Eileen works to provide a therapeutic environment in which clients feel safe and empowered to process their emotions and initiate positive change in their lives. In partnership with her clients, she hopes to emphasize a dynamic, expansive, and holistic view of the self. Eileen believes that each client can access previously unrecognized and untapped internal strengths and resources. This can allow them to meet challenges more robustly, grow from their life experiences, and thrive. She considers it a profound privilege to walk with clients on their healing journeys toward deeper self-understanding and increased life satisfaction.
Kim Vance
MA, LMHC, Staff Therapist
Clay Office
Kimberly (Kim) Vance received her Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from University of West Georgia in 1993. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Berry College in 1989. Kim’s areas of specialty include anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, depression, grief/loss, life transitions, mood disorders, sexual addictions, stress management and trauma.
She enjoys assisting adults in reaching their individual life goals. Kim utilizes trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), lifespan integration (LI) and person-centered treatment that focuses on treating the specific needs of individuals with the appropriate evidenced based treatment modality.
Kim is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, (LMHC). She is a National Certified Counselor, (NCC), Certified Autism Specialist, (CAS), Certified in AutPlay Therapy and Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, (EMDR). Kim is a lifetime American Counseling Association member.