Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

Hello! Finding the right counselor can be a difficult decision. As your counselor my goal is to work with you to create a warm and inviting environment so that therapeutic change can take place. In sessions we will work on sensitive and important issues to help you explore opportunities for growth and change. My therapeutic style is a fellow traveler in your life. I believe that you are the expert of your life, and that I am a facilitator for change. My experience ranges working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques including Person Centered, Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, Existential, and Multicultural approaches. My counseling space is open to all, and is a safe, open and honest environment for people from all walks of life. Mental health is often overlooked but it is and important part of our overall wellness. Reducing the stigma and bringing awareness to sensitive issues is an important part of counseling. Forming a strong, honest, and respectful professional relationship is the key factor for therapeutic success. Counseling takes courage and I look forward to taking the first step with you.

Life can be a journey full of what feels like never ending roadblocks and detours. I believe that therapy can be an amazing opportunity to not only work through roadblocks but also celebrate life’s wins in a way that is nonjudgemental and collaborative. As a therapist I offer a warm, open, and empathetic approach to help gain self-awareness and work towards building a life worth living. Throughout my past work in acute care settings I have gained extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-injury, and complicated grief in residential, group, and outpatient settings. I specialize in working with teens, young adults, and adults and primarily operate from a CBT/DBT approach with compassion and openness. In my approach I work collaboratively with my patients to help develop awareness of unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaviors and working towards acceptance and change. I strive to build a safe space to work on conquering roadblocks and moving towards a life worth living. I believe that all clients can achieve the life that they dream of and find meaning and power through all of life’s struggles. Remember you matter, and that life worth living is not far from reach.

I’m a Licensed Social Worker in Pennsylvania with a passion for helping people navigate life’s challenges and reconnect with their inner strength. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful change. I work with children, teens, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, life transitions, emotion dysregulation, and family or relationship challenges. I also specialize in supporting clients through emerging adulthood—those transformative years of identity development, shifting relationships, and new responsibilities. My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized. Drawing from a strengths-based and humanistic perspective, I incorporate evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I believe therapy is a partnership built on trust, compassion, and curiosity. I offer both in-person and virtual sessions and strive to create a safe, welcoming space for growth and healing. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin—taking the first step is often the most powerful one.

I’m dedicated to helping foster emotional well-being and personal growth in the people I work with and strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings openly. I am versed in working with children, adolescents, young adults and families who are experiencing an intersection of issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, family conflict, and trauma. Helping people recognize and replace maladaptive coping behaviors and negative self talk with healthier, non-judgmental practices is a crucial part of my practice. Additionally, I am specialized in addressing the intersection between identities (race, gender, class, ethnicity) and mental health. I incorporate my studies in psychology and women’s gender and sexuality into my work as a clinical social worker. They allow me not only to see the person sitting in front of me as an individual but as part of a larger set of systems that have a direct impact on their lives and the lives of those they hold dear. I understand what it is like to feel unmoored and anxious in a world that can sometimes seem daunting. But it’s okay – you are stronger than you realize and are not alone. Come in, and we’ll work through it together.

I’m passionate about working with individuals who have experienced a wide range of traumatic experiences, and I hold specialized training and experience in supporting survivors of sexual trauma. I’m trained in EMDR, which I find especially helpful for clients who feel stuck, disconnected, or trapped in old patterns that no longer serve them. It’s one thing to logically tell yourself, ‘what happened wasn’t my fault’ or ‘I am safe now’ – and an entirely different journey to help your body believe that the threat has passed. I specialize in helping clients navigate shame and identity challenges with compassion and curiosity. My approach focuses on creating a non-judgmental space to explore the stories and experiences that have shaped how you see yourself. Together, we’ll work on uncovering the roots of shame, building self-compassion, and encouraging a more authentic sense of self. Anxiety often feels like you’re bracing for something you can’t quite name. You might feel restless, hyperaware, overwhelmed, or like you’re always trying to stay one step ahead of disaster. In our work, we’ll slow things down and get curious – not critical. Instead of fighting your anxiety, we’ll explore what it’s trying to signal, protect, or prepare you for. I’ll help you develop grounding strategies and ways of relating to your anxiety that actually fit your life and values, so you can feel more settled and connected in the present. When working with me, you can expect to enter a space where you don’t need to have it all together. We’ll celebrate your successes, and I’ll be there to sit with you during the heavy moments. I’m not here to ‘fix’ you, but I am here to help you dig deeper and start connecting the dots in your life. Typically, this will include a healthy dose of sarcasm, practical skills, humor, warmth, and empathy. My goal is to help you find what works best for you while we move at a pace that feels right.

Welcome! My name is Stephen. I understand that seeking therapy can feel like a big step, it is important to choose a counselor that makes you feel comfortable and supported. My approach is warm, empathetic, and collaborative, aimed at creating a safe space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment. My goal is to empower you with the tools and insights you need to live a more fulfilling, balanced life. I utilize an evidence-based and holistic approach to helping adult clients struggling with Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality disorder, Anger Management, Addiction, Interpersonal Issues, Identity Issues, Grief/Loss, Stress, and ADHD management. My approach to therapy is rooted in Client Centered Therapy. I will incorporate elements of Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe that it is important to provide clients with an environment that promotes genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and a collaborative therapeutic relationship. My professional background includes community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, substance use rehabs, and private practice. I am skilled in working with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds, including the LGBTQIA+ community. If you’re ready to start your journey toward healing, reach out today!

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I am passionate about helping individuals on their path to self-discovery and leading a genuine and authentic life. Drawing upon my background in counseling and neuroscience, I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and existentialism into my approach. I also offer Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration therapy. I aim to help individuals cultivate openness, awareness, and engagement with themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them. By incorporating meditation, relevant literature, art, and nature, I aim to create a holistic therapeutic experience. These elements enrich the exploration of subjective experiences, self-perception, and the profound aspects of existence. ACT emphasizes acceptance of one's thoughts, emotions, and experiences, while also encouraging commitment to taking meaningful action aligned with one's values. In our sessions, I guide individuals to develop psychological flexibility, allowing them to respond more effectively to life's challenges and pursue a rich and purposeful life. While I am excited to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, I have a special interest in supporting those who experience chronic conditions such as pain, grief, psychosis, and trauma. Together, we will delve into meaningful discussions about topics like death, identity, and the transformative potential within each person's existence.

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.

Thanks for checking out Thrive Counseling Center. We are here to assist when life's challenges tend to become overwhelming and begin to impact you, your relationships, and your educational and career goals. We work with a variety of mental health and relationship issues, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress, relationship issues, sexuality, gender issues, ptsd/trauma. Using a variety of techniques, we look forward to assisting you in improving your health and well-being on your journey to living your best life!

My experiences stem from working with children of all ages within a variety of educational and therapeutic settings that ultimately led towards my work with at-risk children as a Family Based Therapist. Working hands on with families in their homes within authentic and relational setting(s) (i.e., home and community) had shaped my learning experiences and identified my growth as a person and a therapist. My work prepared me to differentiate my therapeutic approaches and enable connections that no traditional clinical experience could offer. Fast forward, working as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have the privilege to work with a variety of populations, with clients ranging from mild to severe mental health conditions. I offer a warm safe setting that enables a professional therapeutic collaboration and growth towards client centered therapeutic goals. I continue to rely upon evidenced based interventions to help guide our therapeutic relationship towards progress or help uncover potential barriers to that may impede your therapeutic progress.

I work with clients who are experiencing any one of a variety of issues, including stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, sexual issues, and grief following the loss of a loved one, including to suicide. I also specialize in helping college students learn positive coping strategies to deal with stress, depression, anxiety, social issues, cultural concerns, and life transitions. I weave a holistic mindfulness approach throughout my therapeutic work by incorporating mind-body awareness practices such as breathwork, meditation, and relaxation techniques. These techniques aim to increase the client’s sense of well-being, decrease stress, improve confidence, allow for new perspectives, and restore balance to the client’s life.

Dr. Thomas Petrone is the Director and senior faculty member of the Gestalt Institute of Pittsburgh. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor and is the President and Clinical Director of the Psychological and Counseling Center, Inc. where he has provided psychotherapy, consultation, training and evaluation services for over 40 years. He practices Gestalt therapy which is a non-pathologizing, supportive therapy that focusses on the whole person and provides individuals with opportunity to address concerns about the various relationship concerns in their lives. His specialty areas include, working wtih Individuals, couples, mental health evaluation services and evaluation services for immigration concerns. Dr. Petrone is also a staff member of the Pittsburgh Irish festival and co-proprietor, with his spouse Dr. Maura Krushinski, of the Irish Design Center in Pittsburgh.

If you feel like you’re stuck in limbo—waiting for your "real life" to start while constantly getting in your own way—you are exactly where you need to be. Life transitions, relationships, and past events can be complicated. We all have those patterns—the ones where we know we're self-sabotaging, but we do it anyway. Whether it’s messy relationships, past stuff that keeps popping up, or the overwhelming stress of being a young adult in a chaotic world, you don't have to piece it together alone. Some days you might need a roadmap and direct advice; other days, you just need a safe space to sit with the big, scary questions. If you’re looking for a mix of humor, directness, and a partner to help you navigate, let's talk. I specialize in helping people explore the "in-between" stages of life and processing the heavy stuff that holds them back. LGBTQ+ affirming and provide gender affirming care letters. New openings available for June 2026! Stop overthinking it and take the first step. Self Schedule a FREE 15 min consult by clicking my website link!

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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.

My therapeutic approach is humanistic and combines creative expression with elements of CBT, DBT, and ACT. While my specialization is in Art Therapy, I am also trained in traditional counseling, Sports Counseling, and Adoption Competency and will work with you to decide what will best support you and your treatment goals. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and day-to-day life stressors and transitions, as well as children and adolescents living with chronic pain and illness. My other experience involves individual, group, and familial support in medical, residential, and educational settings. I aim to provide a calm, relaxing, and inviting environment.

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I am a queer cis male, AuDHD, and a somatically oriented trauma therapist specializing in ADHD, Autism, Attachment, Trauma, Dissociation and Pluarlity (including DID/OSDD), and LGBTQIA+. I’m trained in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, EMDR, Emotional Freedom Techniques, Flash Technique, Ego States/Parts Work, and Somatic Experiencing. This gives me a large set of tools to design a custom treatment to help you you work through whatever is getting in your way in life. While there are some major commonalities in what humans struggle with, we are all still very unique. I seek to understand your uniqueness, join your inner world, and adapt in order to help you find the solutions you are seeking. Life is hard and we can‘t do it all alone. I’m here to help.

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.