Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

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Helping people feel more connected, alive and easeful in a difficult world is what excites me about the therapeutic process. While living with mental health challenges, it is difficult to know how to get unstuck or even to remember a time when things felt okay. I work collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths and identify goals that align with their values. We all develop strategies for survival that can be limiting over time. We can create more options that go beyond old strategies through practicing new ways of relating, recognizing nervous system patterns and strengthening the mind-body connection. Some of the approaches and techniques I use include parts work, attachment theory, mind-body therapy, guided visualization, somatic and movement based therapy. I am trauma focused and informed with an understanding of how systemic oppression contributes to illness, especially for those whose identities are devalued or erased.

Our minds are powerful—they can pull us into the past or push us into the future, making it hard to stay grounded in the present. When this happens, we can feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional pain, often losing touch with our sense of identity, purpose, and what matters most. This can be especially true during times of transition, like college or early adulthood, when you may be navigating academic pressure, relationships, career uncertainty, or figuring out who you are and where you’re headed. As a therapist, I work collaboratively with you to identify what’s keeping you stuck and help you reconnect with your life in a meaningful way. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, build on your existing strengths, and develop practical tools to support lasting change. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can gain clarity, find relief, and grow. I specialize in addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, and I welcome anyone navigating life’s challenges—especially young adults looking for direction, balance, and support.

Serenity Counseling, LLC, was created to provide competent psychological counseling while maintaining the utmost confidentiality, respecting the various cultural differences between clients and practicing ethically and responsibly. Serenity Counseling provides an objective, non-judgmental atmosphere where clients will be validated, empowered and encouraged. Serenity Counseling LLC consists of professional therapists, licensed in the State of Pennsylvania and Certified by National Boards. Serenity Counseling features support for a variety of stressors

I help my clients get results fast. Therapy isn't a complicated process. We meet, we talk about the expectations of therapy, identify specific treatment goals and map out a plan. Our work takes place in the boundaries of a safe, corrective emotional relationship. I put patients’ feelings into words, focus on symptom management and reduce their impact on personal and professional lives. I've been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker for over 15 years. I use a CBT/ Solution Focused approach in helping patients reduce anxiety and elevate and stabilize depressed mood. I help people move toward wellness in a safe, non-judgemental space. Therapy works. It is about growth and evolution, and I've observed that there is great joy in embracing positive new behaviors based on this collaborative approach. I look forward to working with you via telehealth or in-person in our Squirrel Hill office.

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Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Taking the first step in seeking therapy can feel overwhelming in itself. We know life can be complicated, unpredictable, and at times challenging to navigate. I've been working as a therapist for over 13 years and have experience supporting individuals and families across the lifespan. Helping young adults navigate life transitions as they embark on adulthood and gain newfound independence has become a particular passion of mine. I work from a trauma-informed framework with clients and students experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, social pressures, identity exploration, disordered eating, life transitions, grief, loss, and concerns related to the LGBTQ+ community and their families. I strive to meet clients wherever they may be on their own journey. Sessions with me are authentic, supportive, creative, compassionate, and collaborative as we work together to develop individualized goals. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and EMDR-trained clinician, I offer art therapy services and interventions alongside other counseling approaches, including CBT, DBT, person-centered, and solution-focused techniques. Disclaimer: You do not have to be “good at art” to benefit from art therapy. You also have the freedom to decline art therapy altogether if you prefer more traditional talk therapy sessions. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Hi. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 25 years of experience. I specialize in supporting college students during times of change, challenges, losses, or mental health symptoms. I strive to help students better understand and navigate their experiences and make meaningful changes. I support self-compassion, perspective taking, discovery, and skill development. I’m flexible in my approach, and believe in personalizing scientifically proven methods to best fit your needs. I also can help you clarify, or confirm a diagnosis (i.e., label), of your mental health experiences. As an Interpersonal Therapist (IPT), my approach is a great fit for college students, who often face major transitions and challenges during school and emerging adulthood. For some students, we also focus on building healthy daily routines. Life changes can throw off routines, especially things like sleep schedules, which can worsen mental health symptoms. I help students create routines that support their well-being.

I have significant experience addressing mind/body issues, physical health-related issues, stress and coping with academic, family, relationship, personal and work-related issues. My approach is client-centered and I utilize evidence-based interventions that are appropriate for the individual client's presenting issues. I am trained in CBT to address depression, anxiety, panic disorder, etc., Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-based approaches to stress management; Interpersonal psychotherapy, to name a few evidence-base practices that I offer.

Rachel Porterfield is a licensed clinical social worker who provides psychotherapeutic care to adults of all ages. She has years of experience working with individuals who struggle with a variety of challenges, including anxiety/panic attacks, depression, grief and loss, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and relationship concerns. Rachel helps others to share their intimate thoughts and feelings while guiding them to learn new skills that will encourage them to develop healthy life changes openly and collaboratively. Rachel has been extensively trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches/models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy. Rachel has worked in outpatient dual diagnosed programs, hospitals, and primary care offices. Rachel received her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a certification in mental health.

I believe in the inherent worth of everyone and that people genuinely do the best they can. We all experience joys and sorrows that can impact our daily functioning. Sometimes these experiences can make us feel "stuck," but we have the power to choose how we respond. Since learning never ends, we will discuss improving your self-awareness and build your "tool box" with strategies to empower you in everyday life. A caring atmosphere will be provided to help you discover your strengths, show yourself compassion, and to find balance in your life. I work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and ages. Together, we'll build a tool box, so that you're better able to deal with situations that may cause discomfort. An eclectic and solution-focused approach to counseling is used. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness approaches are used as well. As we work together, we'll discuss ways to help improve your quality of life. I enjoy helping adults dealing with mental health changes, students with disabilities, individuals struggling with transitional issues (e.g. new diagnoses, elderly parents, veganism), career counseling, grief, pet loss, and how nutrition impacts mental health. If you are interested in learning what openings are available, please call 412-354-0636 Thank you, Megan

I believe you have the power to create and live a life that feels fulfilling to you. I would be thrilled to partner and work with you to create and nurture an existence that is authentic, while navigating the challenges of existing within our society. Together, we'll place emphasis on your positive traits and behaviors to enhance your ability to use your personal instincts. Through therapy, you will be empowered to cultivate your inner wisdom, growth, healing, and fulfillment.

3Rivers Therapists is dedicated to offering high-quality mental health counseling services for adults, teens, couples, and children. We believe the answers you seek are already within you. Our therapists create a safe and supportive space where you can heal and rediscover deeper connections with yourself and those around you. We have offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Somerset, and Philadelphia.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I bring good energy, empathy, and clinical expertise to my work. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, culturally informed, and person-centered. I offer a safe, affirming, and comfortable space for you to be your authentic self, free from judgment. I meet you wherever you are on your healing journey and we work together on reaching your desired treatment goals at your own pace. I specialize in working with teens, young adults, adults, and older adults who have experienced acute/chronic/complex trauma, chronic stress, PTSD, sexual trauma, and sex trafficking. I use a range of treatment modalities (EMDR, IFS, CPT, TF-CBT, SMART, Seeking Safety, etc.). I love using music, art, games, and interactive activities if you're interested. I also work well with anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity development, and existential crises. I am passionate about empowering others with knowledge, skills, and tools to help people rebuild, heal, and grow. Let’s connect to see if counseling is a good fit for you!

Dr. Thomas Petrone is the Director and senior faculty member of the Gestalt Institute of Pittsburgh. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor and is the President and Clinical Director of the Psychological and Counseling Center, Inc. where he has provided psychotherapy, consultation, training and evaluation services for over 40 years. He practices Gestalt therapy which is a non-pathologizing, supportive therapy that focusses on the whole person and provides individuals with opportunity to address concerns about the various relationship concerns in their lives. His specialty areas include, working wtih Individuals, couples, mental health evaluation services and evaluation services for immigration concerns. Dr. Petrone is also a staff member of the Pittsburgh Irish festival and co-proprietor, with his spouse Dr. Maura Krushinski, of the Irish Design Center in Pittsburgh.

Stephanie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Certified School Counselor for children in grades K-12. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Developmental Psychology. Prior to working at Cornerstone Wellness, she was a School Counselor for 12 years in a public-school setting and also spent two years prior to that working as a School Counselor at a Cyber-School. Stephanie did mental health counseling in a private practice setting and worked at the post-secondary level as an Academic Advisor at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as well. She is very passionate about working with young adults and strongly believes that all people are deserving of love and respect. "In order for positive change to happen, we need to work together as a team to support your goals of achieving happiness, success, balance, and peace. I know that this season of life can come with many challenges but I vow to work closely with you to create a therapeutic plan that we both feel comfortable with". Stephanie's therapeutic approach is centered around a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model which helps people to understand how their thoughts and emotions affect their behaviors. Her goal is to help her clients learn how to replace their negative thought patterns with more productive ones which will then, in turn, change their behaviors. She knows that teaching people how to shift their mindsets and how to discover new ways of thinking will help them to respond differently to life's stressors and ultimately improve their overall well-being. Stephanie understands that counseling can seem "scary" at first but prides herself on making sessions collaborative and relaxed. She wants therapy to be a safe place where her clients can feel comfortable to just be themselves! "I truly love what I do and I see it as a privilege to witness the change and growth that can happen for my clients as they move through therapy. With that being said, I hope to become a person that they trust and look forward to spending time with."

Are you ready to: Make a change? Make a decision? Find a solution? Explore who you are? Explore what you want? Or maybe all of the above? Let me help you enhance your power. It can be difficult to seek therapy, yet it can be empowering once you’ve begun. My clinical approach is grounded in humanistic and person centered therapies which allows me to continuously adapt and grow based on the needs of my clients and their personal experiences. Since 2014, I have been a practicing clinician aiding individuals with a wide range of subject matter within various treatment environments. I have found the best outcomes arise from collaboration in the therapeutic alliance. Together we identify patterns, understand motives/points of view, and integrate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My goal is to aid in positive outcomes derived from awareness, skill building, holistic well-being, and healing. Modalities: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Challenging Thoughts, Reality Therapy

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We are currently accepting referrals and meeting clients virtually. Live Life with Purposeful Balance Life is complicated with competing demands for our time, energy and resources. Whether you're struggling with a particular issue, or just can't shake the feeling that there should be more to life, we can help you to develop balance in your life, relationships, and career. By providing you a caring environment you will be able to identify and explore those issues that may be getting in the way of a more rewarding life, career, or more fulfilling relationships. Resiliency and persistence are characteristics of people who face challenges and traumas, and come out on the other side with new appreciations and well-balanced lifestyles. At times, even the most successful individuals have difficulty overcoming obstacles. We invite you to take the first step to build your resilience and perseverance. We will work through the challenges you are facing to remove obstructions, open doors to improve relationships and social interactions, experience a calm and stable mood, and obtain clear thinking with a positive outlook. We want to help you find your inner motivation and grow toward your lifelong pursuits. We also offer group therapy options, and executive functioning coaching. We welcome neurodiversity and Understand the unique challenges college brings. Our website provides further details about groups and the difference between coaching and counseling.

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.