Helping people make positive life changes and choices is at the heart of Linda Culver's work.

A mental health counselor at New Leaf Resources, which has offices in Crown Point and Munster, she counsels clients 12 and older dealing with addiction, stress, depression, grief and loss, including divorce.

Observing, interviewing and listening to clients helps Culver determine a course of therapy to help her clients work through issues or obstacles. Sessions with young children might include creative therapy. "Art and children's books relate to what's going on and those things can make it a lot easier. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words," she said.

Culver describes counseling as a very comforting and supportive process. "When folks have the opportunity to share and to process what's going on, they get a better handle on what they can change and how to accept things they can't change," she said. "I help with that process. It's exciting when that happens.

"I really love seeing people being able to work through an issue or an obstacle. I really love the recovery process."

Culver earned a bachelor degree in psychology from Maryville College in Tennessee and a master's degree in applied behavioral science from Valparaiso University . She is a national master addiction counselor, the highest certification obtainable from the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors.

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