Animal Assisted Therapy in Munster, Indiana
Compassionate Counseling for Anxiety, Trauma, Depression & Emotional Wellness
Helping children, teens, adults, and families throughout Munster and Northwest Indiana find hope, healing, and emotional wellness through compassionate counseling and animal assisted therapy.
Why Choose Animal Assisted Therapy?
A Different Kind of Counseling Experience
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we believe healing begins when people feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported. Our animal assisted therapy approach combines compassionate counseling with the calming presence of a certified therapy dog, creating an environment where children, teens, adults, and families can relax, open up, and begin healing at their own pace.
Unlike traditional counseling alone, animal assisted therapy helps many clients feel more comfortable discussing difficult emotions such as anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, and overwhelming stress. The quiet companionship of a therapy dog can help reduce emotional barriers, support nervous system regulation, and encourage a greater sense of safety throughout the counseling process.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your teenager, your child, or your family, our goal is to provide a welcoming space where healing feels possible. Every session is personalized to your unique needs, combining evidence-based counseling with the comfort, connection, and emotional support that make animal assisted therapy a truly different kind of counseling experience.
- Dr.Juliann Steinbeigle
Our Services
Compassionate counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families using evidence-based therapy and the calming presence of animal assisted therapy to support healing, growth, and emotional well-being.
Adult Therapy
Teen Therapy
Family Therapy
How is Animal Assisted Therapy Different?
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about feeling safe enough to begin healing.
The gentle presence of a trained therapy dog can help ease anxiety, reduce stress, and create a calm, welcoming environment where meaningful conversations feel a little easier. For many children, teens, and adults, having a therapy dog nearby helps them relax, build trust, and engage more naturally in the counseling process.
Animal assisted therapy is always integrated with evidence-based counseling techniques and personalized to your unique goals. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, or everyday stress, we’re here to help you move toward greater emotional wellness—one step at a time.
Meet Dr. Julie & Sadie
Dr. Julie & Sadie
Healing begins with feeling safe. Dr. Julie provides compassionate, evidence-based counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families throughout Northwest Indiana. Alongside Sadie, her certified therapy dog, she creates a welcoming environment where clients can reduce anxiety, build trust, and move toward lasting emotional wellness.
Sadie is more than a friendly face—she is an important part of the therapeutic experience. Her calm presence helps many clients feel more relaxed, open up more naturally, and experience therapy in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming. Every session is guided by your individual needs, with the goal of helping you feel understood, empowered, and hopeful.
Compassionate Counseling for Every Stage of Life
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana, we provide compassionate, evidence-based counseling for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, or emotional overwhelm, we meet you where you are with personalized care and genuine compassion.
Our animal assisted therapy approach combines proven counseling techniques with the calming presence of a certified therapy dog when appropriate. Many clients find that therapy feels safer, more comfortable, and easier to engage in when supported by an animal companion.
Dr. Julie Steinbeigle has over 20 years of experience helping individuals and families build resilience, strengthen relationships, and improve emotional well-being. Every treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs, helping you move toward lasting healing and hope.
Meet Sadie
Your Therapy Partner
Sadie is a certified therapy dog and an important part of the healing experience at Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana. Her calm, gentle presence helps many children, teens, and adults feel more comfortable, making it easier to relax, build trust, and engage in therapy.
Whether she is quietly lying nearby or greeting clients with a wagging tail, Sadie helps create a welcoming environment where healing can begin.
Meet Margo
Our Practice Manager
Margo is the friendly voice behind Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana. She helps with scheduling appointments, answering questions, insurance and billing concerns, and making the counseling process as smooth as possible.
Whether you’re reaching out for the first time or are already an established client, Margo is here to provide compassionate support and help you connect with the care you need. She is also a proud dog lover and shares her home with her two bulldogs, Seymour and Audrey.
