Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

“It’s always best to believe in one’s self, but a little help from others can be a great blessing!” I view each person as the main character in their book of life. Each book contains stories of joy, sadness, exploration, struggle, and most importantly, HOPE. My goal to assist in exploring these stories, whether you encounter depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, intersectional struggles, or self-esteem issues...I am especially sensitive to those impacted by LGBTQ issues, religious minorities, activists, uniformed public servants, and those experiencing depression. I utilize a multiculturally sensitive approach, borrowing from ACT, DBT, MBCT, mindfulness, narrative, and solution-focused therapies to develop a collaborative and eclectic style to treatment, tailored to your needs. Cultures all over the world have a common truth: life is suffering. Through therapy, I hope to create a safe and empowering environment to help you withstand and overcome that suffering. I welcome you to reach out to start this journey.

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.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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!

We are Pennsylvania's premier therapy & assessments centers. We’re not simply counselors for your mind. We specialize in a results-based, individualized approach to healing and mental well being. Our clients are people; with their own lives, experiences and lifestyle. At Makin Wellness we treat the person… not the ailment.

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and a queer and non-binary person who uses they/them pronouns. I am also half-Taiwanese and half-White, neurodiverse and chronically ill. I love working with clients who don’t fit neatly into society’s pre-determined “boxes,” and are seeking to experience more enjoyment, fulfillment, and authenticity in their own lives – especially in terms of expressing themselves fully. This may involve experiences of gender, sexuality or perhaps a life transition such as career change, I’m open to all of it. Ultimately, I am curious about learning about people for who they are, and how they move through the world with whatever intersections of identity they may possess. My approach is grounded in anti-oppression and social justice principles and centered around the foundation of a genuine and compassionate therapeutic relationship with each and every client. I am here for the open acknowledgment of all that you have experienced, and all that you are, by providing plenty of space for both curiosity and reflection. In our work together, I will prioritize your autonomy, trusting you as the expert for you. Through a collaborative, non-judgmental, “as structured as you want it” approach, I am here to show up for you - to support you through your walk through life – however that may look like for you. I am trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and take a Strength-Based and Culturally Sensitive approach. I utilize Psychodynamic therapy and techniques and skills taken from other modalities as needed, as they apply to the work you would like to do in therapy.

I work w/ adults 20 y.o. and up. I approach symptoms not as nuisances to be managed or reduced, but rather as signposts to be read. They point us to the deeper, meaningful issues that compel thoughtful reflection both in and outside the consulting room. We can look forward to exploring the patterns/themes that announce themselves in our work together, approaching all that we see w/ the respectful curiosity that sets the conditions for growth. I have experience working with adults struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, traumatic experiences, relationship difficulties, and the universal issue of learning to live in the face of loss. Since 1987 I’ve done psychotherapy in a variety of settings. Early on I worked in community mental health and then a rape crisis center. Later, I was a member of a large group private practice for over 25 years. My clinical orientation is psychodynamic with a strong relational orientation. My continuing education in psychodynamic approaches is ongoing. If you're interested in meeting, we'll first have a brief conversation on the phone so that I'll have a chance to tell you more about how my practice works and you'll have the opportunity to tell me more about your expectations or ask any questions you might have.

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.

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!

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.

Are you in search of a therapist who understands the unique experiences of trans and queer individuals? Are you navigating how to address trauma, cope with late-stage capitalism, handle ADHD and autistic burnout, or explore gender and sexuality? I am committed to serving individuals within my community, particularly those who identify as trans and queer. I approach my practice as kink-aware, anti-capitalist, pro-sex worker, and knowledgeable about non-monogamous relationships. ​​ Because you know you best, we will collaborate to explore your intentions, identify therapeutic goals, and establish an individualized plan. I am IFS informed and utilize art therapy to deepen self-understanding and promote healing with clients. My aim during our sessions is to create a safe, inclusive space where you can freely express yourself. ​ I highly value and respect your identities, understanding their significant impact on your lived experiences and our work together. If you resonate with my therapeutic approach, I warmly invite you to reach out about how we may work together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Everyone has a unique story. Feeling safe and comfortable in therapy to share your thoughts, feelings, and questions is essential to the therapeutic process. I understand that the decision to choose a therapist can be a daunting task and the first step into treatment requires a lot of courage. For the past 20 years I have specialized in working with people who have been impacted by complex trauma and loss. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, distorted self-image, and a sense of disconnect with self, their environment, and others are often the byproducts of trauma that I see my clients experiencing. Within my practice, I focus on creating an environment in which everyone feels safe, accepted, and empowered to explore and express what they want to express and how they feel comfortable expressing it. I am a licensed clinical social worker. I consider myself an eclectic therapist who is client-focused, strength-based, and humanistic. I utilize aspects of Gestalt and Mindfulness in my treatment.

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.

You may look like you have it all together yet inside you feel anxious, exhausted, or like you’re never “enough.” The need to be “perfect”, frequent memories of past traumatic experiences, or challenges navigating unfulfilling relationships may have left you feeling disconnected from yourself and who you believe you truly are. You want to feel present, more confident, and at peace with yourself - to stop just “surviving” and start healing. My approach is rooted in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies, aiming to help release the emotional charge of painful memories while gaining greater self-awareness, compassion, and balance. Together, we’ll work to heal old wounds, quiet self-doubt, and cultivate a more grounded, fulfilling life. You don’t have to carry the weight of “having it all together” anymore. In doing the work, you can reconnect with your strength and rediscover peace within yourself. If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. Healing can begin with one courageous step.

​​I provide effective help for individuals, couples and families, who are seen by scheduled appointment via secure and confidential telehealth sessions. Issues of concern include mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, communication problems, child/adolescent behavior, bereavement and emotional trauma, among others. I participate with most health insurance plans and many employee assistance programs.

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!