From Breaking Point to Breakthrough
Doctoral Psychologists Providing Anxiety, Depression, Grief, and Relationship Therapy in Muncie, Indiana
When Resilience Needs Renewal
At Blackbird, we specialize in helping those who've always been the strong ones—the pillars others lean on, the reliable shoulders, the ones who make it all work. We recognize what happens when that strength reaches its limit.
That's why we created Blackbird Psychological Services here in Muncie.
Our doctoral-level psychologists work with people others rely on—at home, in relationships, and in the community. We've walked alongside many Hoosiers feeling overwhelmed and depleted, helping them reclaim their resilience when moving forward feels impossible.
🪶 The Story Behind Our Name 🎶
Naming a therapy practice turns out to be surprisingly difficult. We went through dozens of possibilities—some so awful we're too embarrassed to share them here. (Though after a few sessions, we might reveal our brief flirtation with "Therapeutic Thought Bubbles & Balanced Brain Bistro" and other painfully cheesy options we considered after midnight.)
We wanted a name with meaning, not just something that sounded clinical or generic. When "Blackbird" emerged as a possibility, inspired by the classic Beatles song about finding hope in darkness and learning to fly again with mended wings, we knew we had found something that truly captured the essence of therapy. Just as the song speaks to transformation and new beginnings, our therapy practice focuses on helping clients find their own path to renewal.
Here in our Indiana office, we've witnessed remarkable healing journeys:
A healthcare worker who rediscovered joy after pandemic burnout left her questioning her career
A high-achieving professional who replaced self-criticism with genuine self-acceptance after 20 years of perfectionism
A devoted parent who found a path forward after loss shattered their family's foundation
A local teacher whose debilitating anxiety transformed into manageable awareness through evidence-based techniques
Much like the gentle guitar picking that carries the Blackbird melody forward, we believe healing progresses one small moment at a time, even when the path ahead seems unclear. This patient, attentive approach allows us to honor the full complexity of your experiences and challenges.
Whether in our thoughtfully designed Madison Street office—with its warm lighting and comfortable spaces—or through secure online therapy available to anyone in Indiana, we create an environment where genuine healing begins. Here, you can express what's been left unsaid and gradually rebuild your inner strength.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Now that you know our approach, let's introduce the people who bring it to life every day.
The therapists at Blackbird combine decades of specialized experience in anxiety, depression, grief/loss, stress management, relationship issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, healthcare worker stress, therapy for therapists, as well as affirming therapy for neurodivergent adults. Each of us brings unique expertise while sharing a commitment to evidence-based, compassionate care tailored to your specific situation. Our collaborative approach means you'll be matched with the therapist whose skills and style align best with your needs.
THERAPY
Jodi Nixon, Ph.D., HSPP
As a Licensed Psychologist at Blackbird Psychological Services, Dr. Jodi Nixon brings dedicated attention to adults and couples navigating complex life challenges. She has cultivated particular expertise in the intersection of physical and emotional health.
Dr. Nixon is deeply committed to helping individuals seek clarity amid life's difficulties, whether facing health diagnoses, relationship changes, or emotional hurdles. Her approach combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with humanistic insights—offering both practical tools and emotional understanding needed for meaningful change.
Her extensive collaboration with medical specialists (OB/GYN, oncology, rheumatology, neurology, bariatrics, endocrinology, pulmonary, and cardiology) gives her unique perspective on managing the psychological aspects of physical health conditions. Clients appreciate her unwavering dedication to providing both supportive understanding and direct guidance that creates efficient progress.
Dr. Nixon specializes in the emotional impact of medical conditions, grief and loss, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, stress management, spiritual issues, adjustment issues, and women's issues.
Click here to request your free 15-minute phone consultation with Jodi.
THERAPY, CONSULTATION
Erin Sadler, Ph.D., HSPP
As Executive Director of Blackbird Psychological Services, Dr. Erin Sadler (she/her) combines psychological expertise with creative insight in her work. She also coordinates Psychosocial Oncology Services at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, supporting individuals living with cancer and training new therapists.
If you've always been the strong one for others but now find yourself at a breaking point, Dr. Sadler offers something distinct: a space where your strength isn't questioned even as you learn to put down the weight. What sets her approach apart is how she integrates existential inquiry with narrative perspective—helping you explore questions of meaning and purpose while reshaping the stories you've been telling yourself that keep you stuck.
Her unique background as both psychologist and creative (writer/photographer) allows her to see patterns others miss. This creative lens, combined with culturally responsive care that honors your unique identity and lived experiences, creates a therapeutic relationship where clients often report that for the first time, someone truly understands the complexities of their experience without oversimplification.
Dr. Sadler specializes in therapy for therapists, chronic illness management, grief/loss, adult ADHD, anxiety, existential questioning, narrative medicine, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Dr. Sadler is not able to take on new therapy clients at this time.
ASSESSMENT, THERAPY
Lauren Cunningham, Ph.D., HSPP
Dr. Lauren Cunningham (she/her) brings her expertise as a licensed psychologist alongside her experience as a Senior Clinical Quality Manager for Lyra Health. Her background as a Veteran of the United States Air Force, where she served as a psychologist for four years, provides her with unique insight into military experiences and culture.
At Blackbird, Dr. Cunningham specializes in comprehensive psychological evaluations for the Department of Defense and Veterans. Both her assessment and therapy approaches are grounded in culturally responsive care that recognizes how diverse backgrounds and experiences shape individual perspectives and needs.
Dr. Cunningham practices from an interpersonal perspective that informs her work, allowing her to create a collaborative environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. This integrated approach ensures evaluations and therapeutic interventions that capture not just clinical data, but the full context of a person's lived experience.
Lauren is not able to take on new therapy clients at this time.
Our Core Values
Your therapy experience at Blackbird is shaped by these core principles—values that guide not just what we say, but how we show up for you every day.
We Celebrate Who You Are
We welcome all identities, backgrounds, and experiences—including the queer community, communities of color, all gender expressions, all body types, and neurodivergent individuals. We create space that honors your complete self.
In practice: Our therapy rooms become places where you can breathe freely, without needing to justify or explain fundamental aspects of who you are.
We Denounce Oppression
We acknowledge the real impact of systemic inequality on mental health. Our practice actively counters harmful systems through our clinical approach, business practices, and community engagement.
In practice: When external barriers affect your wellbeing, we balance immediate coping strategies with genuine recognition of the larger forces at play.
We Empower through Education & Collaboration
We believe therapy works best as a partnership. You bring expertise about your life, while we contribute tools and frameworks to help navigate challenges together.
In practice: Your therapy goals belong to you. The direction of your therapy follows your compass—we collaborate rather than dictate, ensuring approaches meaningful to you guide our work.
We Do Our Own Work
We commit to ongoing self-reflection and growth—examining our biases, practicing healthy boundaries, and prioritizing our own wellbeing—so we can create truly safe therapeutic spaces.
In practice: We participate in ongoing consultation, training, and our own therapy, ensuring you're working with professionals who understand personal growth work firsthand.
Our Welcoming Space
When you visit Blackbird Psychological Services, you'll find us in a unique building on Madison Street that blends historic character with modern comfort. Our office is attached to a local brewery and event space, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
We've created an environment that prioritizes your privacy, with therapy spaces entirely separate from the brewery and other businesses, ensuring confidential sessions without disruption.
Finding Us:
Parking: Reserved spaces available in the parking lot accessible on Race Street
Entrance: Our secure entrance is located on Madison Street, just walk through the gate in and turn left
Inside: A comfortable, private waiting room filled with natural light welcomes you
You might occasionally encounter a friendly yellow Labrador named Yukon or two tiger cats who sometimes visit our space with their owners.
Our specific location is part of a thoughtful revitalization project led by another local psychologist and partner, who have transformed this area with attention to detail. The result is an atmosphere that feels simultaneously rustic and modern—a warm environment where healing conversations can naturally unfold.
Please note: Due to the building's historic nature and structural limitations, our space is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. We deeply regret this limitation and are happy to discuss alternative arrangements for clients with mobility needs.