Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

To live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering (Neitzsche). We would never be able to experience our joy had we not of grown through our pain. GROWTH is the key component of findings ones true self. Be it feelings of anxiety, depression, or symptoms of PTSD, you CAN and WILL grow to be a better version of you when you take this journey of wellness. Exploration of ones self and mental toughness are key components to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Sometimes our past experiences, generational patterns, or our current thought patterns prohibit us from achieving greatness. I have over 15 years of experience I specialize with teens, young adults, and pro athletes. I am LGTBQI affirming. As a former Division 2 basketball coach, I enjoy working with college bound students and student athletes along with folks just experiencing stressors of everyday life. I utilize a strength based and holistic approach that incorporates pieces of DBT, CBT, MI, and mindfulness While we share time together you will find me to be a genuine, humorous, and empathetic clinician. Therapy should be about being authentic not only as a client but as your clinician. At the end of the day my job is to work myself out of a job where you feel empowered, self aware, and motivated to hit the ground running to achieve your life's purpose.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you, or a loved one, struggling with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, or a difficult and painful past? Understanding painful feelings can be difficult and making meaningful connections as to how, and why these developed can help alleviate symptoms & lead to change. You may be looking for therapy because there is an issue you hope to change, like low self-esteem, or a behavior pattern that is distressing to yourself or others (such as being reactive, critical). Perhaps you are finding it difficult to move toward your desired goals. You may be struggling with a relationship. I am a non-judgmental, compassionate, and formally trained Clinical Social Worker and Therapist. I am qualified to help you understand and resolve a wide array of issues that can be problematic in your life, while just as importantly, helping you to recognize your own strengths and potential for growth. My interest is working with you to help you better understand yourself through a process of exploration, support, respectful listening, and honest dialogue.

At Ellsworth Counseling, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health services to help you heal, strengthen, and grow. We believe in the inherent strength and potential within each individual. My name is Darci Ellsworth and I am the owner of Ellsworth Counseling. I have been in the mental health field since 2008 and I am passionate about helping individuals and family achieve balance, well-being and a fulfilling life. My approach is characterized by warmth, empathy, and a focus on your strengths. I believe in fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship where we can work together to: - Identify and build upon your unique strengths and resilience. - Develop a healthier relationship with yourself and others. - Recognize and shift dysfunctional patterns and habits. - Empower you to create lasting positive change. If you are interested, please reach out by phone or email!

I specialize in working with children, teens and adults of all ages with life changes/ transitions, mood disorders and emotional regulation, stress management, self-esteem and self-confidence, and grief and loss. My approach to therapy is client-centered, solution-focused, strengths-based and trauma-informed.

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.

Hey there! I’m Sonya, a Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Board Certified Transgender Care Specialist licensed in Pennsylvania. I enjoy working with members of the LGBTQIA2+ community and specialize in providing gender affirming care to gender expansive, non-binary and trans individuals, as well as BIPOC individuals with diverse multicultural and racial backgrounds and those from the diaspora. I am a child of immigrants, "third-culture kid", and specialize in working with first and second generation immigrants and racial and cultural minority members who have been impacted by harmful cultural narratives, intergenerational trauma, and who have experiences feeling “othered.” I am guided by a feminist and person centered approach that prioritizes an exploration of our intersecting identities, and value the healing power of exploratory and respectful conversation that acknowledges the effects oppression and colonialism have on mental health. I approach therapy from a lens of non-judgmental curiosity and strive to bring humility, humor and creativity into our shared space. I utilize art making and expressive therapies to help facilitate greater self-acceptance, self-confidence, personal growth, and to empower you to create positive change. I believe art making has the power to heal and the magic to transform. My goal is to create a safe, affirming and warm environment for you and if you’d like, to guide you in the art making process to help you feel empowered to create change. I hope to make your journey in therapy validating, supportive, and strive to make you feel heard, understood, and accepted. It would be an honor and privilege to work with you.

Mark Thomas, PhD, DBSM, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist who is passionate about improving patients' sleep. Dr. Thomas earned his doctoral in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his clinical internship at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He received specialized behavioral sleep medicine training and experience during his postdoctoral fellowship at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, where he addressed a wide range of sleep issues in Veterans. He is the founder of Restore Sleep Health, a telehealth private practice offering evidence-based therapy to adults with sleep disorders. Dr. Thomas’ clinical work is focused on the treatment of sleep issues including insomnia, PAP adherence, circadian rhythm disorders, and nightmares.

I know each individual is universally unique which means our thoughts, feelings and perceptions are also unique. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I use a range of modalities including ACT, DBT, CBT, and Mindfulness as well as approaches catered to meet your individual needs and help support your holistic wellness. I specialize in working with adults who are college- aged who are dealing with a wide range of experiences. I have experience working with adults experiencing addiction issues, mood disorders, behavioral issues, sexual issues and relationship issues. Additionally, I specialize in anxiety and depression and have experience working with folks 17 and over. I have worked in both community mental health and outpatient settings. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and finding the right person to assist on the journey can feel daunting. I provide a welcoming environment, flexible scheduling and access to community resources as needed. If you would like to discuss scheduling I encourage you to reach out and start your journey to healing and wellness.

Many of my clients are making exciting but often daunting transitions -- either from Jr High to High School, High School to College, or whatever comes next. Change is so often viewed with anxiety and negativity. Yet, change is happening all around us every day. How can we make change a positive experience in our lives? How can we choose to change something that is not working? How can we learn and grow from a challenging experience? As a counselor, I believe my job is to create a space where clients can explore these and other topics, in a way that ultimately positively impacts their day to day lives. I have 10+ years of professional experience working with adolescents and adults in outreach and community based organizations. I have a client centered, strengths-based approach to my work that integrates Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe that it is critical that the client takes an active role in the counseling process. My clients face a range of life’s challenges: depression, anxiety, peer conflict, communication, transition to college/work, enhancing self-awareness, relationship/family dynamics (separation/divorce), grief, and autism or attention deficit/executive functioning challenges. I work primarily with young adults and their families, adults, parents and couples.

I am an LPC in Pennsylvania and Oregon and Oregon Board Approved Supervisor Candidate. I am trained in EMDR, CBT, Exposure Response Prevention, and Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAGALA). I love helping my clients develop insight into patterns in their life and helping them to make shifts that can help them achieve their goals!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Figuring out who we are, what we want, and where we’re headed in life isn’t easy. It can feel like everyone else has it figured out while we’re stuck doubting ourselves, comparing ourselves to others, or struggling to make decisions. The confusion, loneliness, and stress can be overwhelming—and avoidance or procrastination only makes it harder. You’re not alone. Everyone needs support and guidance during big life transitions. I help teens and young adults build confidence, develop practical skills, and gain new perspectives. Together, we’ll explore how your unique mind and body work so you can better understand your experiences, reduce stress, and find more joy. My goal is to cultivate self-awareness while helping you feel truly seen, heard, and understood. Clients describe me as kind, warm, and welcoming. If you’re looking for more balance, confidence, and direction, I’d be honored to support you in navigating the world with greater ease. Reach out to see if I might be a good fit for you.

We are a group practice serving the Pittsburgh community and located in the heart of Shadyside. Our team is diverse by design, bringing a unique collection of cultural and clinical experiences. Following a shared philosophy, each therapist combines evidence-based practices with holistic and mindful approaches to psychotherapy. The result is a carefully tailored plan of treatment for each individual. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, with your partner, or for your family, the Awareness & Wellness Center (AWC) is committed to providing therapy services that support your journey to greater self-awareness and better health.

I have worked with a diverse population of high school students, college students, athletes, young adults, and adults for the past for the past 18 years. My clinical experience is based within higher education settings with the past six years in community-based settings. I understand the processes and stressors associated with post-secondary and graduate admissions, financial aid, maintaining enrollment, and academic advisement for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level students. I provide individual counseling, couples counseling, and career planning for adults, adolescents, college-aged students, and athletes. My clients are committed and motivated to make positive changes in their lives and see the future as the next step in living their best self. My goal is to assist clients build the strength within while providing a safe and non-judgmental environment. I also work with student athletes (high school, college, and retired) navigate sport performance, career options, educational options, and outside pressures. I provide mental health counseling, academic counseling, and programming for student athletes from a variety of sport teams. Also, I work with retired athletes as they transition out of their sport, redefined their identity, and explored career options. So when life traumas, transitions issues, relationships or friendships, loss, grades, and career distress gets you off track, Counseling can empower your soul, build your esteem, and jumpstarts your spirit. What should you do next? Email us or visit our website to set up an appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Due to confidentiality, HIPPA laws, and clients/ prospective clients being over the age of 18, I only communicate with the clients directly.

Trying to find a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling classes, jobs, friendships, and figuring out your next steps. Who We Work Best With: Students Just Like You The students who thrive most in our practice often share a few things in common. They are typically high-achieving, thoughtful, and determined, but right now, they're feeling overwhelmed and stuck. They are excellent at pushing through difficult situations but realize that the old methods of "just toughing it out" aren't working anymore. You might be a great fit for us if you are experiencing any of the following: The "Burnout Beast": You're running on empty. You feel anxious every Sunday night, your motivation is low, and you constantly feel like you should be doing more, even when you're exhausted. You're ready to stop stressing and start enjoying your college years. The Social Maze: You're struggling to make real connections, dealing with roommate conflicts, or navigating a difficult dating scene. You want your relationships to feel supportive, not draining. The Future Fog: You're feeling pressure about your major, your career path, or even just whether you're where you're "supposed" to be. You need help quieting the noise so you can figure out what you truly want. The New Normal: You're struggling to adjust to a new semester, a move away from home, or even life after graduation. Change is hard, and you need a steady, non-judgmental place to process it. We specialize in working with college and graduate students to manage anxiety, perfectionism, stress, and life transitions. Our goal isn't just to help you survive campus life—it's to help you genuinely thrive. We provide practical strategies, emotional support, and the clarity you need to move forward, all without the confusing jargon.

I’m here to support you in figuring out what to do with all the insight you already have. I primarily serve folks who are navigating chronic pain/illness, disability, health anxiety, medical trauma and gaslighting, gender dysphoria, neurodivergence, and complex PTSD. I use feminist and narrative methods to translate awareness into actionable change. I also practice Somatic & Attachment Focused EMDR and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT). My integrative approach is insight, depth, and systems oriented, and I’m influenced by liberation psychology, contemplative and existential philosophy, and harm reduction principles. My sessions are pragmatic and easygoing, but I am direct and don’t shy away from difficult topics. I love stories, metaphors, and riddles, and I like to incorporate humor for levity. I use books, podcasts, art, music, writing, and somatics to supplement my work. Keep an eye out for intensives and ketamine-assisted therapy options in the near future too!

I work with college students and young adults navigating anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. My work is rooted in helping you build resilience, insight, and develop solid action methods while navigating the changes that come along in life. Whether it’s relationship challenges or uncertainty about the future, anxiety can leave you feeling exhausted and alone. I’ve found that gaining insight while identifying obstacles and problematic patterns coupled with evidenced-based tools and lots of creativity can help people build lasting life changes. My style reflects a rich sense of curiosity and warmth. I believe that humor blended with lots of respect and smart strategies can be a highly effective therapeutic tool! My goal for therapy is to help each person function at their best through all sorts of situations that pop up in life. Regardless of the type of change, change is going to happen to you at some point in life (it’ll happen a few times!) and I believe counseling can be a healthy way to navigate that transition as smoothly as possible. I am looking forward to meeting you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.