Center for Positive Change

611 Lincolnway East, South Bend, IN 46601

3.7 (28 reviews)

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Center for Positive Change is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation established in 2012 by Patricia Hancock, LCSW, to create opportunities for positive changes in clients, their families, and the community, inspired by non-violence icons like Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized that 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that' and 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' Committed to strengthening individuals, families, and the community by promoting non-violence and positive change, the center addresses pressing issues such as domestic and non-domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, child abuse and neglect, grief, trauma, hopelessness, racial and gender inequality, identity issues, and discrimination within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Offering affordable, best-practice services including individual, couples, family, and child counseling; parenting education with programs like 1-2-3 Magic; certified Batterer's Intervention Programs for victims and perpetrators; substance use treatment through education classes, modified and intensive outpatient programming, Moral Reconation Therapy, and aftercare; as well as anger management—all delivered in-person or via telehealth with evidence-based approaches like EMDR, CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, and more—the center provides caring, individualized treatment in a judgment-free, safe space where clients are met where they are in their healing journey.
With a team of well-educated, empathetic LCSWs, LMHCs, and LSWs specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and more, serving ages 4 and up, the center empowers clients to navigate personal stressors, foster self-determination, and create ripple effects of positive change throughout families and the South Bend area community.

What we treat

Treatment & Programs

Levels of Care

Center for Positive Change offers a continuum of outpatient services for the South Bend area, ranging from weekly individual therapy to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Clients can attend sessions in person or utilize virtual telehealth scheduling for added flexibility. The clinical team also provides ordered aftercare to support long-term transitions in substance use recovery.

Virtual Telehealth

Therapies

Counselors at this facility pull from a diverse clinical toolkit, integrating evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and EMDR for deep trauma processing. Staff members are highly trained in Moral Reconation Therapy to help shift negative decision-making patterns in high-conflict clients. For families and teens, clinicians often utilize Trauma-Focused CBT alongside solution-focused techniques to build practical coping skills.

Individual Therapy

Addictions

The clinical team provides targeted treatment for substance abuse alongside their broader behavioral health services. Care is highly individualized, with a dedicated program manager who oversees co-ed substance use recovery groups and educational classes. Their approaches help clients understand the root of their addiction while leaning into personal strengths to change the trajectory of their lives.

Conditions

Therapists here frequently work with individuals navigating anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, and complex PTSD. The practice is heavily focused on the intersection of trauma and mental health, particularly the lingering effects of childhood abuse or domestic violence. Counselors also utilize a play-centered approach to help young children manage behavioral issues, low self-esteem, and social challenges.

Anxiety Disorders Depression Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) ADHD Mood Disorders Trauma Disorders

Issues

Center for Positive Change excels at navigating severe psychosocial stressors, explicitly addressing the ripple effects of domestic violence, poverty, and childhood trauma. Clinicians are well-versed in supporting victims of crime and individuals facing identity-based discrimination. The team frequently helps clients manage complex relationship conflicts, high-conflict co-parenting challenges, and the profound weight of grief.

Grief/Loss Domestic Violence (Victim) Physical/Sexual Abuse Child Welfare Involvement Discrimination / Identity-Based Harassment Financial / Debt / Bankruptcy Stress Victim of Crime Childhood Trauma

Programs

Inspired by the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the overarching treatment approach is anchored in non-violence, personal empowerment, and community healing. Clinicians operate specialized specialty tracks, including dedicated women's domestic violence support groups and robust anger management classes. Their unique use of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) serves as a cornerstone for clients working to rebuild ethical reasoning and healthy relationship patterns.

On-site

Amenities

While primarily an outpatient counseling center, the facility takes pride in creating a genuinely welcoming, judgment-free space for the South Bend community. The office environment is deliberately warm and disarming, complete with "furry friends" Roxie and Sammy, who serve as the clinic's resident dog companions. This inviting atmosphere helps individuals feel safe enough to open up and begin the healing process.

Coverage

Payment

Committed to removing financial barriers, this non-profit strives to deliver best-practice services at an affordable cost. They are highly accessible to Indiana residents, accepting state Medicaid plans like CareSource, MHS, and Verida. The practice also partners with a wide variety of private health insurances, actively taking Anthem BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare alongside multiple regional EAPs.

Please contact the facility directly to verify insurance coverage and payment options. Many facilities offer free insurance verification.

Call to Verify Coverage

Eligibility

Who We Serve

Serving a remarkably diverse demographic in northern Indiana, the practice provides care for clients ages four and up. They actively welcome the LGBTQIA+ community and proudly staff clinicians who bring culturally sensitive, multicultural perspectives to their sessions. Whether assisting a young child facing school struggles or an adult survivor of domestic violence, the staff is dedicated to meeting every individual exactly where they are.

Age Groups

Children (Under 13)

Populations Served

LGBTQ+

Languages

English

Additional Services

Beyond traditional talk therapy, the center operates highly specific wraparound services like their court-approved Batterer's Intervention Program and dedicated anger management classes. Families can access robust parenting education, utilizing distinct frameworks like the 1-2-3 Magic program to improve household dynamics. Telemedicine access ensures these essential support systems remain accessible to clients facing scheduling or transportation barriers.

Telemedicine Access

About

Facility Info

Established in 2012, Center for Positive Change operates as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse organization in South Bend, Indiana. Founded by clinical social worker Patricia Hancock, the agency is deeply rooted in local community advocacy and grassroots empowerment. Their mission-driven framework ensures that high-quality, dual-diagnosis care remains a staple of the region.

Credentials

Accreditations

The facility's specialized Abuse Intervention and Batterer's Intervention Programs are officially certified by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This specific credential reflects their adherence to strict, state-recognized standards for court-mandated domestic violence education and rehabilitation.