Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

Amber is a keen listener and highly values the relationship between the therapist and the client. She values trust, empathy and authenticity and believes strongly in the power of journeying with someone as a pathway to change. Amber’s style is warm, genuine, supportive and direct. Her theoretical approach is eclectic in nature and client-centered, drawing from psychodynamic and mindfulness-based modalities as well as parts work, and EFT. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma, and grief/loss. Amber is well-versed in the concept of Self-Compassion by Dr Kristin Neff and she works with adults of all ages. Amber has experienced religious deconstruction and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are going through these processes or those have experienced religious trauma. She believes spirituality is an integral part of a healthy, happy life and loves to explore meaning making with individuals regardless of religious/spiritual affiliation or non-affiliation-(atheists and agnostics welcome!). Amber loves working with couples, has completed Gottman levels 1 and 2, and has an understanding of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). She enjoys working to improve conflict, connect past experiences to current relationship struggles, and improve intimacy. Amber was an ASL Interpreter for many years and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. She is fluent in ASL and has a deep understanding of Deaf Culture. Amber graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s MSW program in the Spring of 2026. Prior to that, she worked as an ASL/English Interpreter for 24 years, specializing in mental health, higher education, and legal settings. She also served as a professional mentor and taught at the college level. Her B.S. is from Indiana University and is in ASL/English Interpreting. Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. -Rumi For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. -Audre Lorde

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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.

Looking for a compassionate, trauma-informed space to grow your sense of empowerment? My approach to therapy starts with building a therapeutic relationship with authenticity and humor. Let’s get to know each other to find out if we’re a good fit! I specialize in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders in young adults and college students. I frequently work with queer and trans individuals, neurodiverse clients, and anyone hoping to reconnect with their emotions. I am confident in helping survivors of complex trauma revisit and process painful memories, then ground in the present moment before leaving the therapy office. I have received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Integrated Treatment for Complex Trauma. I also incorporate principles of mindfulness and somatic therapy that emphasize the mind-body connection. While my style is informed by these modalities, each session will be unique to your preferences, needs, and goals.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and have worked with a wide range of clients over my career, from teenage years all the way through late adulthood. I specifically specialize in Women's Health, where I help those struggling with PMDD, hormone related mood/anxiety issues as well as perinatal mental health, infertility and loss. In addition to this specialty, I very much enjoy working with college-aged individuals navigating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma and grief and loss. College can be a time of growth for many and also a time of major transition and change. I would be privledged to work together with you to help navigate this time in your life.

Are you trying to navigate life's many challenges in a more flexible, aware, and skillful way? Let's collaborate to change patterns that aren't working for you. Respecting that you are the expert on your life and goals, I will integrate my training and experiences to support you in growth. Individuals often work with me to shift patterns of anxiety or depressed mood, to reclaim the energy wasted on perfectionism or overly harsh self-criticism, to reduce procrastination and improve effectiveness, to make progress on health goals, to improve the quality of their relationships, and to manage stress more efficiently. I also specialize in perinatal mental health (pregnancy, post-partum, fertility, loss) and in working with parents of children of all ages. Most people I work with choose online therapy, and some meet with me in the office. As a member of PSYPACT I can often continue to work with you online while you visit home or work/study outside of PA. (For participating states: https://psypact.org/page/psypactmap)

We truly believe healthy relationships, both with ourselves and with others, are the foundation for a fulfilling, happy life. ​ It’s our mission to help you realize the full potential of each of your relationships so that you can live the happy, healthy and productive life that you deserve! At Emerge, we can provide you with the tools necessary to work through stressors and acquire relational skills that lead you to success at home or at work.

We are an inclusive private mental health therapy practice offering in-person therapy sessions in Lancaster, Hershey, York, Lebanon, State College, and Pittsburgh. We also offer online therapy to people aged six and older across Pennsylvania. Our experienced team of about 65 licensed therapists provides a safe place to receive professional counseling services. We tailor therapy to meet your needs, goals, and individual characteristics. We also offer lower-cost (self-pay) intern therapy anywhere in PA. Inquire to learn more. You can chat live with our in-house scheduling team during our administrative hours on our website: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET

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I'm a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, body image, and disordered eating. If you're ready to move beyond the surface, therapy can be a space to get curious and explore the parts of your experience that often go unspoken. Going deep means making room to understand the patterns that have shaped you and discovering new ways of relating to yourself and others. We'll explore both your past and your present with the hope of helping you better understand yourself and create meaningful change. I bring my authentic self into each session and encourage you to bring your full self as well. I believe the therapeutic relationship can be a powerful part of the healing process, and I welcome honest feedback about our work together. I'm attentive to the nuances of identity and committed to integrating a social justice approach into my work. Therapy can be a process of healing and transformation, with challenging moments along the way. I'm honored to join you in this process and work through those moments together. Prior to Forward Wellness, I was a staff therapist at CaPS at Carnegie Mellon University.

As a licensed psychologist, I work with adults and adolescents seeking personal growth and change through psychotherapy. Areas of focus within my practice include anxiety, depression, college student mental health, graduate student mental health, career planning and change, partner relationship concerns, grief and loss, life-long and acquired disability issues, and adjustment to life changes such as medical diagnoses, traumatic brain injury, relationship loss, school transition and death of a loved one. I work extensively with undergraduate students with academic and mental health concerns. Academic stress, choice of major, career direction and planning, time management, motivational difficulties, underachievement, disability adaptation needs, and relationship/family issues are common concerns brought to therapy by college-aged students. Having a safe, reliable space to explore concerns and develop solutions can enhance well-being, satisfaction and success. The academic and research responsibilities of graduate programs can be challenging to juggle. In addition, graduates school can often be an isolating time for many students. Motivation, goal clarification, stress management, school-life balance, relationships, financial concerns, and post-graduate career exploration and planning are among the many challenges graduate students face in their academic lives. Work with graduate students is an integral part of my practice.

College is a time of frequent change, new experiences, identity-exploration, and uncertainty; juggling academic demands with everything else can prove daunting. If you're feeling that something needs a change, therapy can be the missing ingredient in psychological wellness. Hi! I'm Em! I previously worked in Seton Hill University's Counseling Center, providing individual therapy to college students for a wide variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, LGBTQIA+ issues, relationship and interpersonal problems, grief, trauma, academic stress, adjustment to college, and identity exploration. My approach is relaxed, conversational, and at times fun! I am non-judgmental, welcoming, and I collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan. I blend traditional talk therapy (where we explore your thoughts and feelings to increase insight) and skill building (where we practice techniques to soothe and minimize distress.) You'll find me at Elements Counseling & Wellness Spa in the east end of Pittsburgh. We're a 15-20 minute drive from most of Pittsburgh's universities, but I also offer telehealth sessions. I have weekend and evening availability. Let's connect!

Todd Pungratz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and over a decade of experience supporting individuals through life’s most complex and meaningful challenges. His career has taken him through hospital settings, primary care clinics, and community mental health, where he’s worked with people facing trauma, grief, mood and thought disorders, substance use, and neurodivergence. He draws from a range of evidence-based approaches – including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care – and collaborates with prescribers when medication is part of your healing process. Todd offers a safe, nonjudgmental space in which clients can feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward at their own pace.

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.

Hi there! Please check out my website for more info. www.stacysimonphd.com

I have primarily worked with clients regarding life transitions/adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, self-harm, LGBTQ exploration, interpersonal conflicts, family dynamics, spiritual/faith/religious concerns or abuse, and boundary setting. I enjoy clients who are seeking to better understand themselves and growing their confidence in who they are. Only after we have insight and awareness can we try to make meaningful changes. I enjoy explorative, open-minded depth work that is holistic and fulfilling for the client. I am trauma-informed and use an eclectic approach with a psychodynamic foundation and incorporate dream work, as needed. Clients that work well with me are open-minded, self-reflective, and curious. I have specialty in working with religious concerns--whether that is as a religious individual or someone with religious trauma/spiritual abuse. I also specialize in working with individuals from dysfunctional family systems or those with emotionally immature parents. Lastly, CPTSD is another area that I am well-versed in.

As a licensed psychologist, I can help you cope with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and trauma. I also specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, whether in exploring one’s identity, navigating coming out, considering or actively transitioning, relationship and sexual concerns, coping with queerphobia, or looking for connections. I do my best to be genuine, respectful, and honest with my clients so together, we can create a collaborative relationship that allows for vulnerability. I approach therapy from a relational-existential perspective, also drawing on feminist psychology and trauma-informed practice. In therapy with me, I will help you understand your relationship patterns and empower you to make autonomous, well thought-out decisions in your life, as well as get relief from your symptoms and generally cope better. Coming from a somatic and trauma-informed background means I deeply appreciate the ways our bodies carry the potential for healing within psychotherapy. As a queer transgender person, I am thankful to be able to give back to my community as an “out” therapist. I believe it is also important to take care of my own well-being, since I’m a person too! I do so by spending time with loved ones, exploring natural spaces, reading, baking, and gardening.

My practice is based on the belief in the strength and resilience within all people, even in life's most trying times. Right now you may be feeling overwhelmed, lost, or disconnected from what is meaningful to you. I'd be happy to speak with you so that you may determine if I'm the right person to help you. If you feel that I am, I'll meet with you to discuss your problems, strengths, and goals. We will decide together what your long-term goals for therapy are. During each session, we will collaborate to discuss what problems you have been experiencing and how we can approach them. I'll provide feedback that may include asking you to look at the problem a different way, learning to tolerate difficult feelings, or learning skills, such as relaxation. I ask that you come prepared to session with ideas of what we should focus on. I respect the time and effort you put nto therapy, and I want it to be used in a way that is valuable to you.If you've gotten this far and think I can help, please feel free to call or email me. I offer all prospective clients a free 15-minute phone consultation.

I am a white, genderqueer Licensed Associate Professional Counselor. I have experience working with queer people, people living after relational/sexual violence, and people who are interested in exploring issues that matter deeply to them, whether that is what gets called depression, trauma, anxiety, or simply a desire to explore. Authenticity, genuine human connection, and co-authorship are the pillars of how I consider client/counselor relationships, and I will bring a spirit of high regard, non-pathology, curiosity, and playfulness. Ultimately, I work to create a collaborative, co-authoring relationship with people who want more options and more say in their lives. Theoretically, I am driven by narrative, systems, and queer feminist thought. The world we live in is shaped by structures of power, including the knowledge we have about ourselves, our problems, and our options. Using narrative practices, I will work with you to investigate where that knowledge comes from and what alternate knowledge might be possible. In addition, I borrow freely from other approaches/modalities, and have experience in using trauma-informed approaches, mindfulness, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

(Under Development)