Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA
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.
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.
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.
I specialize in supporting international students as they navigate the unique challenges of adapting to a new culture, managing academic pressures, and balancing personal and family expectations. Together, we can work through feelings of homesickness, anxiety, identity shifts, or loneliness in a safe, nonjudgmental space. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, with a focus on building resilience, fostering self-awareness, and helping students feel more grounded and connected.
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Life is full of unexpected ups and downs that we may not always be able to manage alone. In my practice, I specialize in collaborating with clients to navigate difficult life changes with greater peace, clarity, and confidence. I take a highly individualized, holistic, and client-centered approach. During sessions, you can expect to explore underlying beliefs, past experiences, unhelpful patterns, and personal strengths that can all make change possible. Additionally, I enjoy incorporating mindfulness techniques and creative coping skills into our sessions. Through self-exploration and effective strategies, you can develop greater personal power to cope with what life throws at you. I primarily work with individuals facing feelings of anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or challenges from chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders. While bringing a peaceful calmness, I also like to include humor and lightheartedness in sessions. I'm a creative person at heart, who loves cartoons and spending time in nature. If you've been contemplating starting therapy, now is the best time to give it a shot. Talking about mental health can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but the sooner we start, the sooner we can begin the path toward healing. While fear and anxiety around therapy can be overwhelming, you have the strength to work through those feelings and take control of your life. You got this!
I am committed to providing a safe, empathic environment. I will meet you right where you are at - accept you for you; no judgement. I believe before we can move forward, we need to become aware of what is going on in the present. I want to help you become mindful of what is affecting your life so you can move forward to live the life you want to live.
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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.
Wholehearted Counseling for Individuals, Couples, and Families We provide therapy to individuals, groups, couples, and families with various presenting concerns including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, sex and relationships, and changes through the lifespan. We focus on honoring your individual identity while addressing systemic issues that might be impacting your symptoms or impacting your relational health. Our main goal is to help you increase self-awareness and facilitate change in your day-to-day relationships, allowing for a more congruent way of life. We hope to create a non-judgmental, warm, and safe environment during the therapeutic process for you to explore your needs on how to grow and change.
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."
If you’re a high-achieving student who looks “fine” on the outside but feels overwhelmed, anxious, or exhausted on the inside, you’re not alone. The pressure to perform academically, have a thriving social life, and figure out your future (all at the same time!) can quietly take a toll on your mental health. As a licensed mental health counselor, I help driven college students build lifelong coping skills and find balance—without pushing themselves harder or burning out. Together we can work to identify what you would like to be different in your life, and make a clear plan to help you get there. By the way - I'm also a certified career counselor, so if landing internships or planning life beyond college is stressing you out, I can help you there too. If you’re looking for therapy that’s down-to-earth, compassionate, and focused on helping you actually enjoy your college experience instead of just pushing through, let's connect! I offer a free 30 minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit before we start working together.
With a commitment to open communication, therapy becomes a transformative journey that will help you reclaim control, peace, and happiness in your life. Embrace the potential for profound change and discover the strength within you. I empower clients to overcome challenges like panic attacks, generalized anxiety, depression, and other psychological stressors. Through personalized strategies, we will uncover the root causes of anxiety, eliminate self-destructive behaviors, and find comfort and clarity in your circumstances. Your session is your sanctuary. Show up for yourself, and I'll be there, judgment-free. I specialize in working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and self-esteem. Together, we'll navigate your path with understanding and support, making each step a little easier. Why wait for a crisis to seek support? Therapy isn't just for when things go wrong—it's a proactive way to care for your mental well-being. Just like regular check-ups with your doctor, therapy helps maintain and enhance your mental health. Embrace the opportunity to nurture yourself and enjoy a balanced, fulfilling life.
Are anxiety, challenging relationships, negative body image, or depression negatively affecting your everyday life? Do you feel overcome and exhausted by workload and expectations? Do you wish that these problems could get better, but are unsure which path to take? Now more than ever, people are feeling anxious and uncertain about how to move through these difficult experiences. Not addressing these challenges can lead to continued burnout and a sense of hopelessness. I believe that there is hope, answers, and growth ahead, and I would like to partner with you to help you reach your full potential. I have experience with spirituality, mental health, and sports-related presenting problems.
Hello! An Empowered Empathy: Counseling & Wellness we believe every client deserves to love their life. We know sometimes things can get dark and challenging. We are here to help you get to a place that feels like you’re heading in the right direction and build a life that feels meaningful for you.
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My private online therapy practice offers a space where you can genuinely explore your concerns, talk through difficulties, and work collaboratively to discover practical solutions. I'm passionate about helping people move forward, not just by understanding their problems, but by actively building the tools and strategies they need to thrive. My goal is to create a supportive environment where you feel truly heard and empowered to create positive change in your life.
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.
I love working with people of all ages who are seeking to understand themselves and other significant people in their lives! It is my joy to help my clients find peace and make meaning of both the usual challenges in life and the events that threaten to rob us of hope. My work life before becoming a therapist in 1997 included working in child welfare, teaching in China, and volunteering in religious activities. As a therapist my training and experience have been focused on themes of attachment, relationships, grief, loss, trauma, and spirituality. If you are wondering who I am as a person, I am a spouse, mother of four grown children, "Mimi" to five grandchildren, and oldest sibling in a large tribe. When not working I love to read, make quilts, play board games, cook and just spend time with the people I love.