Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

Choosing to heal and be more alive in our society is a brave, daring, and difficult act. I enjoy working with people who want to understand and support themselves in healing from and with shame, disconnection, stagnancy, and trauma with the goal of becoming more alive, more true to themselves, and more genuinely connected with themselves and the world around them. I am a gentle and open person who enjoys using humor and delicately mixing the light and dark of the world in the healing journey. My goal is for you to feel safe in expressing and sharing who you are, to give you a place to rest and explore free of judgement. I am skilled in DBT and ITCT. I am pursuing training in Somatic Experiencing Therapy. I have specialized in working with teens and young adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, BPD, bipolar disorder, and complex trauma. I am dedicated to anti-racism. I am of the LGBTQ+ community and bilingual in Spanish and English. I currently accept UPMC, CCBHO (Medicaid), Highmark, Cigna, and Aetna insurances. I also offer sliding scale sessions. I can offer free introduction phone calls to see if we are a good fit!

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 work with students who struggle with managing their emotional, behavioral, and social needs. I know that therapy can be initially uncomfortable and/or anxiety provoking, yet I create a safe and supportive space for my patients. The therapeutic relationship is extremely important in my practice, as I believe that we need to work together in order to meet your goals and improve your overall quality of life. I will always bring honesty and compassion into our sessions. I utilize various approaches and interventions to target each individual's needs and to create the best treatment for you. I utilize techniques from CBT, ACT, and mindfulness practices. However, I tailor my practice and choose interventions that best suit your symptoms. I have extensive experience working with anxiety, relationship difficulties, and depression. I am offering and accepting referrals for ADHD neuropsychological testing as well. Feel free to reach out to me directly by phone or email to see if we would be a good fit. I offer in person and virtual sessions. My goal is to teach you skills and offer a different perspective to lead a fulfilling life. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions; I look forward to working together!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe each of us has deep intuition, wisdom and knows what we need in order to heal; I will help you clear that path to healing. Making peace with the changes in our lives and finding acceptance can be extremely challenging. I would be honored to be present with you as you navigate this experience. I work well with individuals who are motivated and ready to transform by providing practical, research based tools and interventions that can help alleviate symptoms like stress, anxiety, sadness or irritability. I often encourage clients to continue our work outside of the therapy hour to expedite progress. I have 15 years of experience working with individuals and families across the lifespan in various settings including outpatient, home, school, community mental health, and crisis support. I help clients understand thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, blending somatic approaches, mindfulness and other therapeutic techniques to repair the body-mind connection and facilitate healing. Known for my calm, grounding presence, I bring authenticity, humor, and intuition into my work. Drawing on my knowledge as a Reiki Master and yoga teacher, I incorporate holistic practices such as relaxation, breathwork, and embodiment. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community with lived experience managing the chronic pain of endometriosis, I bring both clinical expertise and personal understanding to my work. I believe in the inherent dignity and worth that each of us carries and in our innate capacity for healing.

Marybeth Kennedy, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in outpatient psychotherapy with children, teens, and college-age young adults. She has practiced in the field of mental health since 1984 in a variety of settings, including foster care, schools, group homes, and in the pediatric hospital setting. Her areas of expertise include working with patients with adjustment problems, mood disorders, ADHD, and chronic medical illnesses. She focuses particularly on children and teens with anxiety. Ms. Kennedy incorporates cognitive behavior therapy, anger management training, relaxation training, mindfulness interventions, and individualized psychotherapy in her outpatient practice. Ms. Kennedy has provided consultation to schools that specialize in serving students with behavior disorders by advising teachers and administrators in best practice behavioral interventions in the school setting and in the development and implementation of school-wide behavior management systems. She has been an adjunct faculty at several colleges in the Pittsburgh area, teaching courses in psychology. She has also been a guest lecturer in the special education department at the University of Pittsburgh, addressing behavioral interventions for classroom management. Ms. Kennedy earned her master’s degrees in psychology and social work. She is an alum of West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a Home-School Visitor certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

If you’re feeling weighed down by shame, anxiety, or a sense of disconnection, you’re not alone. You may be functioning on the outside while feeling stuck or overwhelmed on the inside. Therapy can be a supportive place to slow down and begin making sense of what you’re carrying. I specialize in working with individuals navigating the impact of trauma, substance use, anxiety, and/or depression. I take a relational approach, meeting you with empathy and authenticity. Our work will honor you as a whole and unique being, integrating approaches such as mindfulness, parts work, and EMDR. In our sessions, there is space for tears, laughter, anger, relief, and growth—you can come as you are. I’m committed to working collaboratively with you and moving at a pace that feels safe. If this resonates, reach out to set up a brief consultation. I would be honored to connect with you.

Do you feel isolated, like you just can’t really seem to connect with others in a meaningful way? Is life starting to become boringly repetitive with no end in sight? Are you drinking or using other drugs more than you are comfortable and worry you might have a problem? Maybe you chronically feel depressed, anxious, or that your mood is just all over the place for no obvious reason? Are you experiencing distressing memories, thoughts, and strong feelings without having a sense of control over them? I can help you by developing healthy self-resourcing tools to manage your thoughts, feelings, and distress experiences. I work with individuals by offering a healthy, nonjudgmental, encouraging, and collaborative relationship that promote your strengths through a process of discovery, acceptance, growth, and becoming. I believe every person has an inherent potential for growth. I work diligently with you as a collaborator to help you harness this potential through support, encouragement, and, at times, even challenging you. I work with adults of all ages, gender identities, races, sexual orientations and economic/ethnic backgrounds to treat a wide range of problems like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic anger management issues, addiction, PTSD, and a variety of other behavior conditions. I practice eclectically with a strong emphasis on Person-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy. I am trained in a variety of techniques including Motivational Interviewing and EMDR.

College can feel like a lot to carry. Classes, relationships, expectations, and trying to figure out what comes next. You might look like you’re handling things on the outside, but inside feel overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or unsure of yourself. You may notice the same patterns showing up in relationships or feel like you’re falling behind. You are not alone, this is a very common experience. Therapy is a place to sort through what’s going on and understand why things feel this way. With over 20 years of experience, I work with students navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, academic challenges and family and relationship challenges. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can talk openly, make sense of your experiences, and start to feel steadier and more confident. Together, we’ll work on building healthier boundaries, finding clarity, and helping you move forward in a way that feels right for you. If you’d like to connect, email is the best way to reach me. I look forward to hearing from you.

My counseling style is grounded in the belief that, as humans, we are all imperfect; but are also inherently "ENOUGH". I believe in an empoweringly collaborative approach to help clients identify patterns and address cycles of distress.

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My experience includes 20+ years as at Carnegie Mellon University's Counseling Center and 6 years at Persad Center. The work I do focuses on helping folks understand themselves and feel understood. Working together, we change help you work with difficult emotions,change patterns that cause distress, and nurture a meaningful life, as you define it.

I am here to help you with struggles related to depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, stress, peer and relationships issues, family related stressors, and regulating mood instability. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and in diverse settings, including in clients homes and inpatient facilities. I use these past experiences to meet my clients where they are, understand their unique perspective, and form a meaningful relationship with them in which they feel heard and understood. My primary treatment modalities include CBT, DBT, MI, and narrative therapy. Meaning, I use practices science has shown to be effective, to help clients harness their motivation to change their thoughts and behaviors, improve their relationship skills, and reach their goals. My hope is that clients view themselves as empowered agents of change in their life. I'm dedicated to helping my clients discover their strengths and potential, fostering a sense of well-being and empowerment. I believe in my clients' inherent resilience and potential for growth. I'm here to provide the support and encouragement they need to overcome challenges and create a more fulfilling life.

At Purposefully Soaring we understand that life can get hard. We're here to support you with unpacking the many weights you carry, explore the barriers in your way that keep you stuck, and help you find your purpose. Our goal is to support you with learning how to soar, through and over the many ups and downs of life.

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 have spent the last 15 years working with clients across the lifespan with a variety of needs, specializing in life transitions, navigating change, personal growth and development, anxiety and depression, and helping clients to uncover the origin point or root cause of their symptoms, and heal from there. My background as an energy healing practitioner and mindfulness meditation teacher inform my multi-dimensional approach, which is grounded in presence, practicality, and play.

Kings And Queens Family Services LLC is now accepting new clients until April, 2025!!! (Please Note: We have a five (5) question screening requirement prior to scheduling) -Who We Are- *We welcome and accept all individuals seeking support and readiness for real change. Our world can be hard to navigate alone therefore, allow us the opportunity to support you. *We are up to the task and have various therapist on staff that specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, veteran adjustment and reintegration concerns, human sexuality, families and children. You will also discover our commitment to privacy to be far more than a promise, and therefore we do not display the last names of our therapists. *Our team works with several survivors of human trafficking and victims of extreme circumstance relative to domestic violence. WE WILL NEVER PUT ANY PRACTICE PARTNERS AT RISK and pledge to keep our therapeutic interactions in a safe and stealth space. *We have developed a discreet and rapid screening process which allows us to book much more efficiently, and it is a difference you need experience to believe. At Kings & Queens Family Services LLC, getting you the help you need is more than a promise- It is our dignity-driven, clear and compassionate priority with every call, appointment and referral. *Recovering and Reaching Your Life Goals With Us Is Real Royalty.*

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Do you feel stressed, helpless or overlooked? Are you seeking a change? In our sessions, you’ll find a supportive environment where you can be heard and understood without judgement. Together, we will create a safe space for authentic self-expression and address difficulties affecting your wellness. I am dedicated to supporting you in your journey of self-discovery and healing, respecting your unique life stressors and allowing you to move at your own pace – so you can feel empowered to create meaningful change in your life. I specialize in addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship concerns. Our work together will be rooted in client-centered care, allowing us to use evidence-based techniques tailored to your specific needs. I have comprehensive training in EMDR, Mindfulness, CBT, and DBT. I work with teens and adults of any age. Therapy thrives on a strong therapeutic alliance built on empathy, respect, and trust. If you are curious about what therapy might look like for you, feel free to reach out! I offer in-person sessions at our Squirrel Hill office as well as telehealth options for your convenience.