Sherry McGowan

LCSW, 5 years of experience

Virtual
Next available on

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor based in Indianapolis. I earned my MSW from Indiana University and have spent over five years helping adults navigate life’s transitions, manage mental health symptoms, and work through the stages of change with substances misuse. Through a collaborative approach, I help you identify your strengths, build adaptable coping skills, and develop personalized strategies that empower lasting change.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In your first session, expect a welcoming, down-to-earth conversation. We’ll start with introductions, an overview of confidentiality, and a discussion about what brings you to therapy. Think of it as unpacking your mental travel bag—we’ll explore your goals, challenges, and life transitions. By the end, you'll have a clearer path forward, knowing therapy is a collaborative journey—with room for humor along the way.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I create a supportive space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered. My strengths include building strong rapport, guiding at the client's pace, and integrating education, humor, and adaptability.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I serve adults who are navigating significant life transitions, managing mental health symptoms, and grappling with substance use challenges. I work with clients who often feel overwhelmed or stuck, offering a compassionate, collaborative approach that helps build strengths and coping skills. I am happy to work with clients needing short-term or long term support.

About Sherry McGowan

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use CBT to help clients recognize and reframe negative thought patterns, strengthening emotional resilience and healthier behaviors. Through education and practice, I guide them in breaking self-defeating cycles and developing effective coping strategies.

Strength-Based

I empower clients by highlighting their strengths and guiding them toward growth! Strengths-based therapy creates lasting change by focusing on resilience rather than deficits and is often used with CBT.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

My clinical style blends evidence-based tools like mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and values-based behavior planning to support lasting change.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients navigate intense emotions, build distress tolerance, and strengthen interpersonal resilience. My approach blends DBT’s structured skill-building with a warm, reflective style—supporting clients as they learn to regulate emotion, communicate effectively, and find balance in both inner and outer worlds.