Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

We are on a mission to help millions of people to heal & become happy again through excellent online therapy. We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.

It can be difficult to navigate finding mental health care, but you’ve made it this far. I view my role as holding a warm space for us to explore what is working and not working for you in your life. Most of us weren’t taught how to experience our emotions mindfully and respond with intention. It makes sense that many of us struggle with responding to our emotions compassionately. I may help you identify, understand, and accept difficult internal experiences while taking meaningful action in your life. My experiences range from outpatient care to more intensive eating disorder partial hospitalization. I seek to help you feel empowered to move through the world in your body as it is in this moment. Whether or not you’re struggling with your relationship with food or your body, I find self-compassion an important tool in promoting mental health. One of the ways change happens is by doing something differently than you’ve done before. I encourage you to make small changes in between sessions as we work together. The therapy process can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. I'd be honored to be a part of it with you.

Melissa's diverse experience had lead her to focus on the importance of contentedness of relationships in fostering personal and spiritual growth in her clients. At the core, Melissa's goal is to help each person find the freedom that comes with pursuing wellness in every area of life. She strives to help people find a place of well being that goes beyond the sense of disease or illness but to a place of thriving state of health and balance.She has worked at various levels of mental health care including outpatient therapy, inpatient hospitalization, and residential treatment since 2005. In residential treatment, she worked with adolescents with behavioral difficulties and mental illness. While working in a psychiatric hospital, Melissa provided individual support and group therapy for adults, adolescents, children and their families who have struggled with disordered eating. She worked with children and their families who have struggle with anxiety and sleep disturbances in a university research setting. Her understanding of the connection between the mind and body was furthered while working in a medical hospital helping children, adolescents, and young adults with gastrointestinal disorders or sleep problems. These experiences have provided advanced knowledge in treating, not only eating disorders and anxiety but depression, sleep problems, trauma, body image disturbance, life transitions, communication difficulties, self esteem, chronic pain and other medical conditions. ​She has advanced training in non-pharmaceutical interventions, CBT for Insomnia and trauma, EMDR, attachment and dissociation. She enjoys working with transition age and early professionals who experience chronic anxiety and/or depression, complex trauma, and adjustment issues. She lived in Southeast Asia for 6 years and loves working with cultural adjustment issues.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience in social work practice, most of which has been in a counseling role. I consider myself a generalist practitioner, with experience in a range of settings, treating a variety of populations and mental health concerns. I work with adults of all ages, treating depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, grief and loss, self-criticism and self-doubt, shame, life transitions and adjustment to stressors. I enjoy assisting clients in developing coping skills and greater self-acceptance, while helping them to navigate relationships, challenging life circumstances, and improve their overall mental health and wellness. It is an honor for me to be fully present with someone in their pain and uncertainty, and join with them in finding a way forward. Whatever you are going through, you are not alone, and I will be glad to listen, support you and collaborate with you to facilitate healing and growth in your life. I look forward to working with you.

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Maybe chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma has your nervous system stuck on high alert, so that even when life is relatively stable, you don't actually feel that way. Maybe your past experiences show up now as hypervigilance, tension, irritability, insomnia, or shutting down. Maybe you're managing burnout, depression, relationship struggles, or patterns you just can't seem to shake. Maybe you're tired of merely surviving and ready to actually feel different. With a background in social justice, many of my clients are queer, activists, neurodivergent, and others for whom identity/politics/systemic context are part of their story. We start by helping your body feel safer through various approaches such as biofeedback, breathwork/meditation, or the Safe and Sound Protocol so your nervous system doesn’t have to work so hard. From there, we look deeper at the patterns, relationships, and stories that shaped how you move through the world. We explore what matters to you at your own pace. Our work together isn't about fixing what's "wrong" with you. It's about understanding what has happened to you, how you've adapted, and finding out what is possible when we have more awareness and more options. My approach is a deeply relational one. You're the expert on your own life and I'm here to serve as a supporter and collaborator in the process.

This is an adult practice that works with individuals who are struggling with mood disorders, grief/loss, anxiety, and relationship issues.

My experiences stem from working with children of all ages within a variety of educational and therapeutic settings that ultimately led towards my work with at-risk children as a Family Based Therapist. Working hands on with families in their homes within authentic and relational setting(s) (i.e., home and community) had shaped my learning experiences and identified my growth as a person and a therapist. My work prepared me to differentiate my therapeutic approaches and enable connections that no traditional clinical experience could offer. Fast forward, working as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have the privilege to work with a variety of populations, with clients ranging from mild to severe mental health conditions. I offer a warm safe setting that enables a professional therapeutic collaboration and growth towards client centered therapeutic goals. I continue to rely upon evidenced based interventions to help guide our therapeutic relationship towards progress or help uncover potential barriers to that may impede your therapeutic progress.

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People come to therapy for many different reasons, but, at the core, they are looking for understanding, relief, or growth. Maybe you’re trying to understand why you feel the way you do, or you find yourself caught in the same difficult thoughts again and again. Perhaps you’ve noticed patterns of behavior that seem to work against your own well-being. You might be facing a life transition—chosen or not—and are feeling anxious about what’s next. Or maybe you just feel stuck. Therapy offers a space to slow down and make sense of what’s happening. Together, we can clarify your current experience, explore how you got here, and begin to shape a healthier, more fulfilling path forward.

I work best with people who are going through change, feeling stuck, or struggling in their relationships and want a space where they can be honest and understood. Many of the people I work with are dealing with stress, anxiety, past hurt, or conflict with partners or family. I also work with people in poly, open, and kink relationships who want a supportive place to talk about communication, boundaries, and connection. My clients are usually people who want to understand themselves better, improve how they relate to others, and live more authentically.

The Center for Advanced Psychotherapy (CAP Clinic), is part of Bellefield Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, UPMC in Oakland. Most cases referred will likely be seen by a trainee under supervision of a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed mental health counselor through the CAP clinic. Trainees are either advanced students earning their doctorate in clinical psychology (PhD or PsyD) or medical residents (MDs) who are specializing in psychiatry and receiving specialized psychotherapy training. Video or audio taping of sessions is required in the CAP Clinic for supervision and training purposes. Patients participating in weekly psychotherapy can also be seen for med management services by a Psychiatrist or Psychiatry Resident, if appropriate. Lauren Bylsma, PhD has expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches for mood, anxiety, traumatic stress (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders in adults and adolescents. Other providers in our clinic (Holly Swartz, MD and Kelly Wells, MSW, LCSW) have expertise in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) for unipolar and bipolar depression in adults. Some patients may not be a good fit for our clinic, including those with active alcohol or substance abuse issues, active psychosis, uncontrolled mania, high risk for suicide, homicidality or history of aggression, eating disorders, or those not appropriate for an outpatient level of care. Session fees are based on your insurance co-pays but it may be possible to see a trainee who does not bill insurance (i.e., no session fees), depending on trainee availability. We currently have availability with psychology trainees who do not bill (no charge for sessions, any insurance or no insurance is ok). Med management visits are billed to insurance. We currently offer both in-person and Telehealth services.

We are located a few blocks off campus and seek to provide prompt, professional psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and personal adjustment issues for students. Our counselors are psychologists and social workers with experience and compassion. We accept most major insurance providers.

I am passionate about helping individuals on their path to self-discovery and leading a genuine and authentic life. Drawing upon my background in counseling and neuroscience, I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and existentialism into my approach. I also offer Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration therapy. I aim to help individuals cultivate openness, awareness, and engagement with themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them. By incorporating meditation, relevant literature, art, and nature, I aim to create a holistic therapeutic experience. These elements enrich the exploration of subjective experiences, self-perception, and the profound aspects of existence. ACT emphasizes acceptance of one's thoughts, emotions, and experiences, while also encouraging commitment to taking meaningful action aligned with one's values. In our sessions, I guide individuals to develop psychological flexibility, allowing them to respond more effectively to life's challenges and pursue a rich and purposeful life. While I am excited to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, I have a special interest in supporting those who experience chronic conditions such as pain, grief, psychosis, and trauma. Together, we will delve into meaningful discussions about topics like death, identity, and the transformative potential within each person's existence.

Dr. Collins is a licensed therapist (LPC) and national certified gambling counselor with over 20 years of experience in mental health and addictions counseling. Holding a doctorate in counseling psychology, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her private practice. Specializing in a range of challenges, Dr. Collins offers compassionate support and evidence-based treatment for individuals grappling with: - Anxiety and depression - Life transitions - Relationship conflicts - Grief and loss - Substance abuse issues - Adult children of alcoholics With a client-centered approach, Dr. Collins is dedicated to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their concerns and work towards personal growth and healing. Her extensive experience and training enable her to tailor treatment plans to each individual's unique needs and goals. Whether you're seeking short-term support or long-term therapy, Dr. Collins is committed to helping you navigate life's challenges and build resilience for a more fulfilling future.

College can be exciting and overwhelming. I work best with students who feel stuck, stressed, or unsure about who they’re becoming. Whether you’re navigating identity shifts, relationship challenges, family pressure, or big decisions, I offer a calm, nonjudgmental space to sort things out. You don’t have to have it all figured out. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, clear, and confident in your next steps.

You didn’t ask for this—whether it’s a major life change, a new mental health diagnosis, or that frustrating sense of being stuck in the same loop over and over. You may be navigating something unfamiliar: a shift in your identity, a change in your relationships, or a diagnosis that’s left you overwhelmed, confused, or doubting yourself. Maybe you’ve noticed patterns that no longer serve you but haven’t been able to break free from them. You want to feel in control again—or maybe for the first time. And while you might hate what you’re feeling right now, some part of you is ready to figure it out. That’s where I come in. Our work together is collaborative. I’ll meet you with curiosity, honesty, and care—helping you connect the dots, challenge stuck narratives, and build something new. We’ll explore how past experiences might be shaping the present, how your diagnosis fits into the bigger picture, and what tools will actually help you feel more like you again. My clients are open to the therapy process, even when it's hard. They want clarity, relief, and a sense of mastery over their mental health—not just symptom relief, but true understanding. If you’re ready to start, reach out. We can talk about where you are, where you want to be, and how we can get there—together.

College and graduate school can stretch you academically, mentally, and emotionally. When stress, burnout, or self-doubt start to pile up, that stretch can feel more like a breaking point. I work with students to navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, life transitions, and challenges that can come with disability. I also support people adjusting to new environments, including the shift from rural backgrounds into more urban, academic settings. Together, we’ll look at where you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed and build practical skills to help you clear those hurdles and reconnect with what matters to you. My approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). In practice, this means we’ll use a blend of tools to help you understand your thoughts and reactions, make sense of your experiences, and respond in ways that feel more manageable and effective. I will tailor our work to your personal goals, because your idea of accomplishment is what matters to me. If you’re interested, we can also bring in elements of Geek Therapy® (using movies, games, or other examples of popular culture) to make therapy feel more relatable and engaging. If you’ve been dealing with mental fatigue, cognitive overload, or a life-altering diagnosis, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We can work together to help you feel more balanced, confident, and prepared for your next chapter, whether that’s graduation or the following academic term. Reaching out can be the most difficult step in this process. Let’s start a conversation and design a treatment plan just for you.

Hello and welcome! Adjusting to college can be hard at times and things come up that can cause stress while navigating this new path as a young adult. Together we can develop a plan that works best for you and figure out the best path forward through college and beyond. You don't have to go through this journey alone, we can work together and find an approach that is tailored to your needs. Whether it's learning new coping skills to manage the challenges as a college student or wanting to talk through something more in depth, therapy can be beneficial for everyone. Let's chat and see if we might be a good fit!

Hi, I'm Rebecca! I'm passionate about working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, & overall transitional life challenges. If you want a life with less worry, anxiety, or hopelessness, we can work together to explore attainable goals to get you where you'd like to be. My goal is to create a safe, inclusive space for you to talk about your individual challenges & how you envision your ideal life worth living. I respect & encourage the individuality of every person's life story. We’ll work together to explore your potential for change & growth in a supportive & collaborative environment. I've worked with people struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, addiction, & people struggling with difficult life transitions. I treat couples, and have worked with couples struggling with addiction in their relationship. I have experience as a crisis & trauma counselor, particularly with people who've experienced sexual assault. Starting therapy can be the most intimidating part for many people. I hope to prevent that and to talk with you about your goals for therapy, and how you envision a life worth living. I focus on creating an engaging, open space for everyone, and to value & respect everyone's individuality. Reach out via email or phone with any questions you have!