NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! Do you ever feel like there have been traumas that you haven't processed? Anxiety that creeps up and you can't stop thinking about certain things? Do you have coping skills that even help? If you have experienced any of these, you are not alone. Life can be difficult and nerve wracking, but you don't have to go through this on your own. I'm Joe Shepherd, and I am an LCSW in Indiana. I am the owner of Resilient Minds Psychotherapy LLC. I've worked in community mental health for over two years, where I've helped people cope and process trauma, anxiety, and other issues life has thrown at them. I offer an eclectic therapy style to tailor your sessions to meet your needs. I am very laid back in demeanor and offer a warm and welcoming space. However, I do bring a positive energy to my sessions. While I am professional in all manners of my practice, I am not a blank slate. I am relatable and I want to be able to make therapy as as rewarding as possible.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session will an introductory session, where we will discuss where you are at right now in you life, what brings you to seek service at this time, and learning more about you and your story. During that session, we will work to find out what you would like to gain from therapy. I offer a warm, supporting, and safe environment that will be welcoming to share sensitive topics. Together we will work towards goals and start this journey!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel that my greatest strength is meeting you on your level. Therapy can be a really tough commitment to make, and it is understandable because you are vulnerable, but I want you to be able to trust me and allow me to assist you on this journey. I feel as if I allow my clients to feel heard and supported. As much as I will validate you, I will also challenge you to continue making progress. I am compassionate, understanding, and I feel that building rapport is a great strength as well!
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I really enjoy working with adults who need to improve on coping skills, processing emotions and trauma, regulating emotions, and even just having someone to vent and open up. I feel that most of my clients want to work on themselves inside and outside of therapy. I often give folks homework because growth doesn't just happen overnight! Together we can find the right balance and steady flow to make some changes.
About Joe Shepherd
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and understand their negative thought patterns. We explore how these thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, then work together to challenge and reframe them. To reinforce learning and promote progress between sessions, I often assign homework tasks. These exercises help clients practice new skills, test out alternative thinking patterns, and build more balanced and positive ways of thinking. Over time, this collaborative process empowers clients to take more control over their emotional responses and make meaningful changes in their lives.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I also integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my approach, especially when clients are facing challenges that involve things they cannot change. ACT helps clients develop acceptance toward difficult emotions and experiences, teaching them to coexist with discomfort without letting it control their actions. By focusing on mindfulness and aligning behavior with personal values, we work together to help clients commit to meaningful actions despite any emotional barriers. This approach fosters resilience and allows clients to live more fully, even in the face of life’s inevitable struggles.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I integrate mindfulness techniques such as meditation, reflection, journaling, and deep breathing into my practice to help clients develop greater awareness and presence. These practices allow clients to observe their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the moment without judgment, fostering a sense of calm and self-acceptance. Meditation helps center the mind, while journaling and reflection encourage deeper self-awareness and insight. Deep breathing techniques are often used to calm the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety. Together, these mindfulness tools help clients improve emotional regulation, manage stress, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.
Polyvagal Therapy
I am also a Polyvagal informed therapist, which helps clients understand how their nervous system responds to stress, trauma, and emotional challenges. By focusing on the autonomic nervous system, we explore how safety and connection influence emotional regulation. I guide clients through techniques that promote activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which fosters calm and safety. This may include breathwork, gentle movement, or grounding exercises designed to help clients move from states of stress or shutdown into a more balanced and regulated state. Polyvagal Therapy allows clients to build greater resilience, improve emotional responses, and feel more in control of their nervous system.
Brainspotting
I am also a Brainspotting-informed therapist, which is a somatic-based approach that helps clients process deep-seated trauma and emotional challenges. Brainspotting works by identifying specific eye positions—'brainspots'—that correspond to areas of emotional and psychological distress. By focusing on these spots, clients can access and process difficult memories or emotions in a safe and controlled manner. This technique helps bypass cognitive defenses, allowing for deeper healing and release. Brainspotting is particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, and unresolved emotions, and it enhances the therapeutic process by facilitating a more profound connection between the body and mind.