Our center merges professional expertise with the comforting presence of certified canine therapy partners to provide a nurturing environment for mental wellness. With our dedicated team by your side, you'll find unwavering support and guidance as you embark on your journey towards emotional well-being.
At AACI, serving North West Indiana, we understand the transformative impact of animal companionship. With evidence-based animal-assisted therapy, our compassionate team is dedicated to guiding you toward a brighter, more fulfilling path. Tailored to your unique needs, our counseling sessions offer a nurturing environment where healing flourishes.
At Animal Assisted Counseling of Indiana (AACI), we provide therapy for adults, teens, and pre-teens navigating anxiety, depression, and emotional stress. Many of our clients appear to be managing on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected internally.
Our approach is compassionate, client-centered, and focused on helping you feel safe enough to slow down, open up, and begin meaningful change. We believe therapy works best when you feel truly understood—not judged, rushed, or “fixed.”
What makes AACI unique is our integration of animal-assisted therapy. Our Licensed Clinical Therapists work alongside canine co-therapists. The presence of a therapy dog helps reduce anxiety, build trust, and create a more natural, comfortable space—especially for those who may feel hesitant about starting therapy.
Dr. Juliann Steinbeigle is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist serving Northwest Indiana, with over 20 years of experience helping adults, teens, and pre-teens work through anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm.
She is known for creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, supported, and safe to explore what’s going on beneath the surface. Her work goes beyond symptom relief—helping clients understand patterns, build emotional resilience, and feel more confident in themselves and their lives.
She works with Sadie, her St. Bernard co-therapist, whose calm and comforting presence helps clients feel more at ease from the moment they walk in. For many, especially those who feel nervous or unsure about therapy, Sadie makes the experience feel more relaxed, approachable, and human.
Together, Dr. Julie and Sadie offer a therapeutic experience that feels warm, supportive, and different from traditional therapy.
Margo is the heart of the client experience at AACI. As our practice manager, she supports clients with scheduling, billing, and any questions about the counseling process.
She is often the first point of contact and is known for being warm, responsive, and genuinely caring, helping clients feel comfortable and supported from the very beginning. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself or your child, Margo helps make the process simple and stress-free.
Margo works remotely and is available by phone, text, or email to assist with anything you may need. She is also a proud pet owner of two bulldogs, Seymour and Audrey.
At AACI, therapy is not just about managing symptoms—it’s about helping you feel better, understand yourself more deeply, and create lasting change in your life.
We meet you where you are, move at your pace, and support you every step of the way.
