Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

Looking for support, problem solving, coping skills, or an opportunity to talk through what is not working? My goal is to create a working relationship that feels comfortable and hopeful. It takes courage to share personal information with someone new. Individuals and families are facing a lot of stress and difficulties which makes psychotherapy incredibly important. My work with clients has them feeling respected and involved in their own treatment goals. The clients I serve range in age from teens through adulthood. Young adults/college age are often a large part of my practice as well. Change takes time and the therapy process is based upon trust, comfort and consistency. Progress can occur and is to be expected with shared treatment goals and ongoing communication. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions about the process or for more details about my specialities and approach to care. Let's find out if I am a good match for your needs with an initial call.

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.

My approach to therapy emphasizes mindfulness and the development of inner resources to meet the challenges the world presents at every stage of life.

At some point along the journey, our stories demand to be told. Whether through painful emotional and physical symptoms, relationship struggles, or other interruptive experiences, our lives catch up to us. They ask for our attention. Therapy is a place where, together, we can pay closer attention to your story and the person you are becoming. We are all always in process. I believe that we can experience true healing in a human encounter, and I strive to deeply listen to my clients, bringing curiosity and attention to the parts of you that may have gone unnoticed. Approach to Therapy My counseling approach is rooted in relational psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on patterns and themes from early childhood and how they show up in your life today. This approach also emphasizes the relationship between the therapist and client as a vehicle for healing and change. It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with, and it may take you some time to discern the right fit. I respect the vulnerability and bravery required to step into this work, and aim to meet you with humility, curiosity, and a responsible awareness of my own intersecting identities. Each person brings unique concerns and needs, and I am committed to ongoing research and training to provide the best care I can. I draw from a variety of approaches, including attachment-based therapy, family systems work, liberation psychology, Internal Family Systems (informed, not certified), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Narrative-Focused Trauma Therapy. Background: I have worked with at-risk youth, college students, and folks from all walks of life in outpatient and community mental health settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Trauma and Abuse from the Seattle School (2023). Outside of therapy, I enjoy lots of things, including yoga, performing arts, poetry, and being outside!

Hello. I have been in Private Practice for over 25 years. I have also worked in college counseling centers. My first task is to listen and fully understand the individuals that I work with. Then, we collaboratively identify skills and solutions to improve the situation. We heal old wounds and work through issues so that you can feel more at peace and reach your fullest potential.

I often work with individuals in recovery, teens, college students, young adults, and more. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals focusing on self-discovery, empowerment, and identity exploration. I also work with individuals struggling with religious trauma or spiritual concerns.

Do you struggle with self esteem, decision making, or just life in general? Are you ready to make a change? Often times our experiences can/have shape(d) who we’ve become. You may be in need of support and that’s ok. Congratulations to you for taking the first step in seeking support. My mission is to help make a difference in the lives of others one day at a time. As a certified Compassion Fatigue counselor, I can assist with emotional exhaustion. Life experiences can often leave us drained, stressed and or overwhelmed. Are you one who has always been there for others in their time of need? Who helps you? Do you have a healthy support system? The helper often gets neglected because they’re busy assisting others which can lead to Compassion Fatigue. Let me assist you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Training and professional background: I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana, graduating in May of 2014. In the Fall of 2012, I received training as a victims’ advocate and crisis line operator at the Family Justice Center in South Bend. For the rest of my time as an undergraduate, I continued volunteering for the FJC, focusing on taking crisis calls, yet unaware of the skills I was building in attending to each caller’s concerns. I utilized my training again during grad school to volunteer for Crisis Text Line, where I honed my skills in crisis management and planning. In December of 2018, I graduated with my Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Duquesne’s program is CACREP accredited and meets all standards and requirements as an institution for counselor education. I received my license November of 2023. Theoretical orientation and approach to counseling: My clinical approach is rooted in two orientations: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I also draw heavily from the Humanistic-Existentialist perspectives of Psychology and philosophy in helping my clients better understand their feelings, goals, and experiences. My clinical practice embodies the spirit of meeting clients where they are. I enter each session with one objective: a readiness to talk and warmly receive. Client rights and responsibilities: As my client, I encourage you to ask questions and raise concerns about anything, especially my credentials and qualifications, the progress of our work together and its cost, my therapeutic approach, or anything else that concerns you. I take my role seriously as a helper and strongly believe that healthy relationships, especially therapeutic, require communication, consistency, and warmth. Therapeutically, we might be a good fit if: -- You are ready to make new moves in your life and relationships – So many of us know what must be done to address problematic behavior or to build better habits. What might be lacking is an awareness of the theory or tools to support those efforts. I am equipped to teach you how to individualize widely known coping skills, if you are ready to prioritize your mental health treatment. -- You are a creative person – The scaffolding or foundation you need to accomplish your long-term goals comes from your ability to generate creative solutions—no matter the medium! Your unique skills and worldviews can enrich to the work we do in the room. This takes the form of interesting, billowing conversation, not traditional art therapy. -- You are looking for a space to feel seen and heard – I take great pride in my ability to attend to the emotional needs of my clients. A dedicated space where the floor cedes to you, a conversation that is focused with warm curiosity on you, that is quickly becoming a rarity in our social interactions. While attentiveness is one of my biggest strengths to offer, I find being a witness to my clients’ concerns and vulnerabilities the greatest honor and reward in this field; we are the most human in these moments. It sets the stage for therapeutic collaboration and honors our innate drive to identify and hold our emotions without urgency or shame.

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 been in private practice for the past approximately 30 years working primarily with adults/young adults. Although I have considerable experience with what may be described as more serious anxiety and depressive disorders, my practice more typically has consisted of individuals/couples/students interested in working on quality of life, relationship and general adjustment issues.

I work with students who have experienced traumas and are finding it difficult to sleep or function in school as a result of stress or anxiety. I also work with students who feel uneasy in social situations, or have expectations of themselves that are difficult to maintain. Reach out and talk with me about how I can help.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

The Counseling Center provides compassionate and professional outpatient counseling to anyone seeking support for life's many challenges. Our team of licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists are ready to help you work through issues such as trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, family/partner conflict, anger, life transitions, and loss and grief. We serve clients of nearly all ages and backgrounds. Our practice consists of a diverse group of licensed clinicians who have experience with a wide variety of treatment modalities and professional backgrounds. Treatment can be provided in-person, via telehealth, or via a hybrid option. We serve individuals, couples, or families. Allow us to support you on your journey towards healing and improving your mental health and wellness. We don't ask "What's wrong?" but rather "What happened? And how can we help?" Come to the Counseling Center to experience professional care in a confidential, non-judgmental, and supportive setting.

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.

My focus is to form caring and supportive relationships that are solution focused and trauma informed. I provide individual therapy and assessments. I utilize client centered modalities in the service of providing a safe environment in which clients can better understand themselves and their relationships in order to foster growth and success. I work with clients who have a range of backgrounds and disorders, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and other adjustment concerns. My clinical experience includes residential treatment and public and private school settings. Schachner Associates is unique because we offer the intimate atmosphere of a small private practice with clinicians from multiple backgrounds and specialties.

I provide specialized therapy that is individually tailored to help you solve your problems and realize your potential. Clients regularly describe my approach as effective and enjoyable since it combines practical skills with a deeper understanding of the self. Clients also appreciate that I bring authenticity, determination, and humor into the healing journey. I have extensive experience helping people from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and I regularly work with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community. I have particular expertise and interest in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, OCD, depression, perfectionism, self-expression, difficulty adjusting to college, relationship issues, and addictions. To treat OCD, I specifically use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard in OCD treatment. If even a small part of you is curious to see how things can be different, I hope to get to meet with you soon.

My passion is to work with individuals, families and couples experiencing emotional or behavioral barriers in their life. I work predominantly with adults, offering individual, couples and family therapy. With the use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) I assist clients in making necessary behavioral changes. Together we will work to modify thought processes and apply behavioral changes that facilitate lasting change in your life. I am committed to bringing healing, growth and wholeness to clients. My specialty is working with clients who struggle with depression, sense of self, anxiety, grief and loss. I use a mindfulness approach in treatment to help clients focus in the here and now. I focus on the present moment as part of treatment, without neglecting the past and future, but mindfully approaching both.

We are so happy that you have begun your journey on your own individualized path towards wellness! We are a group practice of over 20 clinicians who are down to earth and "have been on the other side of the couch." We strive to provide the best care possible to our clients. We hope that you take your time and look around at the information we have on our website. Get to know our Pittsburgh based counseling practice and the ways we can help you or your family at our website www.cpa-counseling.com! Our dedicated, caring therapists in our counseling practice will strive to make you feel comfortable and cared for.

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.