Hello and Welcome
Starting therapy and reaching out for support can be a big move. It can also be an empowering way to prioritize yourself and begin making meaningful change in your life. Through our work together, clients often become more present, honest, and engaged in their lives and relationships. Many experience meaningful mindset shifts, leading to a greater sense of authenticity and alignment.
Background
I’ve been working in mental health since 2020 and practicing as a therapist since 2022, with experience in outpatient community care, substance use recovery, and group practice settings. Before moving into clinical work, I spent years working in higher education supporting students in career development and facilitating employee growth in HR. That combination shaped how I view therapy: not just as “mental health support,” but as a space where identity, purpose, work, relationships, and healing all intersect.
I offer a supportive environment where you can explore and work through your experiences, perspectives, and emotions... but I’m not a passive listener. I work best with people who are ready to look beneath the surface... not just at what’s happening, but why it’s happening and what it’s asking of them. My style is collaborative, reflective, and gently challenging when needed. I thrive working with clients who are curious and willing to engage honestly as we uncover patterns, make connections, and create movement toward the life they’re envisioning. I aim to offer therapy that’s critically reflective, trauma-responsive, and affirming of clients' experiences with sex, kink, and identity.
My approach and training is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness and compassion-focused approaches... and I flex based on what you need. I’m actively engaged in my own healing and growth work, and I bring that lived experience into session, not as an authority, but as a fellow human who believes in the possibility of change.
If something in this resonates, I’d be glad to connect and explore whether we’re a good fit.
Licenses:
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Indiana and Colorado
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Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) in Indiana
Certifications:
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Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Education:
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Master of Social Work (MSW) from Indiana University
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Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology & Anthropology from University of Illinois
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Master of Public Administration (MPA) from University of Illinois
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Sexual Health Certificate Program in Sex Therapy from University of Michigan
Affiliations:
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Member, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
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Member, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
A few fun things (to help you decide if we're a fit)
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I believe therapists should do their own work, and I’ve spent plenty of time on the client side of the therapy room. I practice what I invite others into.
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Things that bring me joy: dog walks and canoe trips, gardening and vinyl hunting, camping under stars, antiquing with coffee in hand, exploring spirituality, and fantasizing about my future life as a black cat’s devoted servant.
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Humor is part of the work for me. Not to avoid the hard stuff, but to help us breathe while we hold it. I’m also a visual thinker, so don’t be surprised if I’m sketching patterns on a whiteboard as we go.
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Home life: I live with my husband, our senior rescue pup (a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen), and a small flock of backyard chickens...all proudly named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Request an Appointment
Ask a Question
There are a number of ways to reach me with questions or to request an appointment. You may fill out the contact form, email, text, or call and leave a voicemail. I'll follow up with you.
Craig Pelka, LCSW, LCAC, CST (he/they)
819 East 64th. Street
Broad Ripple
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
317-268-8220