Megan Van Slyke-Bartley
Hi stranger, if you feel constantly burnt out from trying to keep everyone else happy while quietly falling apart yourself, you are in the right place. I'm Megan Van Slyke-Bartley. I know what you're thinking...what a long last name. I mean a space AND a hypen? What was I thinking. Well I was 13 so I wasn't thinking about all the adult stuff that name would have to be on. Anyway, feel free to call me Meg VSB. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Indiana. My approach to my practice truly depends on what each individual needs. From tough-love with kindness to a slower, person-centered dynamic, I meet each person where they are at. I use a multitude of approaches and often blend elements to best meet the need. I have been practicing for 5 years and majority of that time I have worked with adolescents, teens and, young adults. If you're an adult, don't let this deter you, I have always maintained adult clients and work well with them. I am neurodivergent and queer. I enjoy hiking, fashion (while prioritizing comfort), reading (gothic literature is my favorite), cooking, spending time with my two cats (Luna and Jupiter, named after Sailor Moon characters), watching anime, creating art, and going to the gym.
First session
Our first session is basically a vibe check. You do not have to walk in and tell me your entire life story on day one unless you want to. Instead, we are just going to get to know each other, talk about what is going on in your life right now, and figure out what you actually want to change or get help with. Just a reminder, it's completely normal to be nervous during your appointment (most of us are). Teens: we will also go over the rules of privacy. What you tell me stays between us, unless I am worried that you or someone else is in serious danger. If your parents or anyone else asks how it went, my default answer is always that you are working hard, unless we agree otherwise. This hour is your space, and you get to decide how we use it.
Strengths
I am a blunt person, sugar-coating does not help most things in my opinion. Besides, you're spending good money on treatment, don't you want to get the most out of it? I am one to push and challenge someone while providing compassion and empathy. I feel, and have been told, I walk this line well from both colleagues and people I have had the pleasure of working with. Another area I pride myself on is my willingness to learn. I am not a professional on everything in the universe (who is) but I am always excited to research and learn (I once watched 80 YouTube videos on FNAF because several client's were interested and I wanted to be able to talk about it with them).
Ideal clients
So you're a teen or young adult who feels like you are carrying a million unwritten rules in your head, second-guessing every text message, or feeling exhausted by the pressure to 'have it all figured out' before you even graduate or hit 30. You feel burnt out, maybe you're exploring your identity or sexuality, maybe you're neurodivergent or you're going through life transitions and you feel overwhelmed just trying to exist. If you are a deeply reflective introvert, sarcastic gamer, creative individual, or high-achieving perfectionist--you're in the right place.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My role in this approach is not as an expert fixing a problem, but as a collaborative partner supporting your natural capacity to grow and heal. I don't have a hidden playbook or a list of diagnoses to put you in a box. My job is to follow your lead on what we talk about and where we go. You set the pace. If you want to sit with a heavy emotion, talk about a memory, or deal with what happened this morning, we go there together. Sometimes I will reflect back or paraphrase what I hear you saying. Not because I'm repeating you, but to make sure I truly understand your world, and to let you hear your own thoughts out loud. This is a safe zone. You can bring messy, ugly, confusing, or contradictory feelings here without me judging, shaming, or lecturing you. I am going to do my best to step into your shoes and see the world through your eyes, rather than looking down at you from a clinical distance. I’m not hiding behind a stiff, clinical 'blank slate' persona. I am real with you, transparent, and present as a human being in the room.
Psychodynamic
In psychodynamic therapy, we aren’t just looking at what is happening on the surface or trying to quickly check off symptoms. Instead, we are exploring the deeper connections between your past and your present. Think of it like a puzzle: when you run into the same roadblock in your relationships or feel a heavy reaction you can't quite explain, we work together to find the puzzle piece. We’ll pay attention to old patterns, things that live in your blind spots or unconscious, and even what comes up between us in the room. The goal is to help you gain deep insight so you have more freedom in how you choose to respond to life.
Compassion-Focused
Compassion-focused therapy involves breaking down how the brain works, why self-criticism happens, and how building an inner sense of safety can change your relationship with distress. We will figure out how your history, current trigger, and safety strategies interact without judgement and blame. We will use body and imagery practices such as breathing, grounding, and visualization to help physically calm the nervous system. We will give room to the anxious, angry, or hurting parts of you instead of fighting them. And lastly, we will practice how to talk to yourself differently when mistakes happen.
Attachment-based
Attachment-based therapy looks at how your earliest relationships with caregivers taught you how to stay close to people or protect yourself when closeness felt risky. The goal is not about blaming parents or digging into the past forever; it is about updating those old blueprints so they can feel safer, calmer, and more connected today. My job in the room is to be a steady, predictable presence. I am someone who won't judge, vanish, or get overwhelmed when big or messy emotions show up. Instead of just talking about your week from a distance, we will explore what happens in your body or thoughts in the here and now when a difficult topic pops up.
Somatic
With a somatic or body-centered approach, you will strengthen your ability to notice physical sensations, movement, and breath to process trauma, stress, and emotions that are stored in the body. Somatic therapy is consent-driven, meaning I will never guide you into movement or intervention without explicit permission. The goal is not to force you to re-live hard things, but to expand your capacity to feel physical sensations safely.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- IndianaLicense 33011523A