“I want to understand my clients. I get to know them by gathering information during the intake, and I learn their story over time. They tell me their goals, and together we figure out how to get there.”
~Sherri Bidwell, LCSW, LCAC
I use CBT, DBT, and EMDR primarily. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based best practice for treating PTSD and trauma. It works quickly and the results are lasting. I use CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help people examine their thoughts and behaviors, along with the DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills for interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
I’ve been described as authentic, down to earth, funny, and supportive.
My style is strengths-based and person-centered. I use motivational interviewing. I believe absolutely in each person’s right to self determination. I ask a lot of questions and I make people think.
Why Choose a Social Worker Therapist?
- Service Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems.
- Social Justice Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.
- Dignity and Worth of the Person Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs.
- Importance of Human Relationships Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.
- Competence Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
My Background
I have always known that I wanted to help people. The way I thought I might do that has changed over the years, but I have followed my path right to where I am meant to be. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in psychology from IU Bloomington in 2001, and then went into the Master’s of Social Work program at IUPUI, earning my MSW in 2004. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2007, and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor in 2011.
While I was in school, I took opportunities in my internships to gain experience in as many different areas as I could. I worked with toddlers in play therapy, adolescents and adults in addiction treatment, adults with mood disorders, OCD, or anger, and older people dealing with grief, medical, or end of life issues.
I started my career working as a community-based therapist on the east side of Indianapolis. I worked with adults with severe mental illnesses—mood and thought disorders, mostly Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. I worked with people who were frequently suicidal, people who experienced auditory hallucinations, and people who were frequently hospitalized. A few years later, I took a promotion as the Clinical Supervisor and later, Program Manager for the Assertive Community Treatment team in both Hancock and Shelby Counties.
Assertive Community Treatment, or ACT, is sometimes referred to as “a hospital without walls,” to describe the intensity of the services provided by the team, which assists people with severe mental illnesses to thrive outside of inpatient settings.
I was responsible for ensuring that my multidisciplinary team implemented the evidence-based treatment program with fidelity to the model, and for collecting data for grant reporting. In addition to managing the specifics for the grant, I also managed a team of people, led daily clinical staff meetings with a psychiatrist, provided clinical supervision for my staff and my student, and facilitated trainings for large groups of employees. I continued providing therapy during that time, working with the same client population for a total of nine years.
In the eight years prior to opening my practice, I worked in behavioral health care management. That position allowed me to continue to hone my clinical skills, learning about a variety of conditions and treatments from the insurance side of mental health. I accept several major insurance plans—Anthem BCBS, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, and Aetna. I do not take Medicaid.
I opened my own practice in July 2021. I enjoy seeing who I choose, and providing excellent care to the small group of people with whom I work.
Change is hard! That means therapy is not easy. I’m glad you have decided to take the first step. I look forward to being a part of your journey.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker 34005452A
Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor 87001265A
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Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to. It’s not for them.
Concepts In Healing, LLC Sherri Bidwell, LCSW, LCAC 