Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA
There is incredible knowledge and healing potential within each of us. My job as your therapist is to carry the flashlight as we explore your inner world together. I work with adults ages 18+ on a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, psychosis, gender and sexual identity, relationships and more. I offer therapy to individuals and couples. If you are searching for an accepting, supportive space where your concerns will be heard and never dismissed, I encourage you to schedule an appointment. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I offer a safe, affirming space to people of all genders, sexualities and relationship styles. I specialize in helping queer, neurodivergent adults self-advocate, set boundaries and navigate adversity, trauma and life transitions. I have in-person openings in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood and virtually across PA. Reach out today to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.
We believe that psychological well-being and healing come from our ability to foster awareness, understanding and acceptance of our experience of life as a whole - the good, the bad and everything in between. Talking with a therapist can often help facilitate this kind of personal growth. We believe that through developing a trusting relationship, therapist and client can explore aspects of the client’s struggle and the experience of relating to each other in deeper, more honest and productive ways. While each therapist in our practice has a unique approach to the work, we all share a deep appreciation for the importance of meaning making and lived experience in understanding human experience and effective therapy.
I have been in private practice for the past approximately 30 years working primarily with adults/young adults. Although I have considerable experience with what may be described as more serious anxiety and depressive disorders, my practice more typically has consisted of individuals/couples/students interested in working on quality of life, relationship and general adjustment issues.
Barbara is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who received her Master's Degree from Slippery Rock University in Psychology. She has over 25 years of experience in providing mental health counseling to adults, couples and families. Barbara provides individual, family and couples counseling that specializes in mental health counseling. Areas of focus include: anxiety, depression, life transition issues, conflict resolution, stress management, loss & bereavement issues, self-esteem issues, emotional regulation issues, and communication issues. Her counseling approach is eclectic in nature and adjusted to meet the existing needs of the client in relationship to their own individual developmental needs. Barbara utilizes treatment modalities such as: Cognitive Therapy, Existential Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy and Developmental Psychology. In addition, Barbara is also a certified addiction and co-occurring disorders therapist.
Helping people feel more connected, alive and easeful in a difficult world is what excites me about the therapeutic process. While living with mental health challenges, it is difficult to know how to get unstuck or even to remember a time when things felt okay. I work collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths and identify goals that align with their values. We all develop strategies for survival that can be limiting over time. We can create more options that go beyond old strategies through practicing new ways of relating, recognizing nervous system patterns and strengthening the mind-body connection. Some of the approaches and techniques I use include parts work, attachment theory, mind-body therapy, guided visualization, somatic and movement based therapy. I am trauma focused and informed with an understanding of how systemic oppression contributes to illness, especially for those whose identities are devalued or erased.
I founded Tranquil Trails with a vision to create a therapeutic space where young adults entering the "real" world feel safe to bring their whole selves into the room—without fear of judgment or dismissal, using unconditional positive regard and holistic therapy that encompass an individual and does not place people into boxes or make assumptions. I believe that when we as therapists approach our work with the vulnerability, compassion, and transparency of our humanness, we invite our clients to do the same. At Tranquil Trails, we specialize in working with youth and adults—as they navigate the ebbs and flows of transitional age, complicated by economic hardship, daily reminders of systemic oppression, access to violent videos occurring in real time across the world, AI and misinformation, fear of rights being taken away or have been, frequent complicated family histories with psychosocial stressors daily. And on top of that many of our clients are in college, graduate school, medical school or pursuing an academic career. We invite our clients into the process of collaborative treatment planning, using their own words to create positive and achievable goals. We notice when something is different and we highlight it. We teach them that to see the positives in oneself is to go against the grain of all we have been taught as members of the system. Overachieve, don’t rest, never stop producing, never slow down. We are missing out on life, and the ability to sit with emotions. The ability to notice any positive emotions at all. Our vision at Tranquil Trails is to create a compassionate, inclusive, and supportive community where individuals feel empowered to take charge of their mental health journey. We aim to foster a world where mental health struggles are not only normalized but seen as a trait of humanness, and where healing, personal growth, and resilience are accessible to all. We envision a future where every client, regardless of background or limitations, has the tools, support, and confidence to craft a life that works for them. Through authenticity, collaboration, and evidence-based care, we strive to break the stigma around mental health and create lasting positive change in the lives of those we serve.
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.
Maybe chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma has your nervous system stuck on high alert, so that even when life is relatively stable, you don't actually feel that way. Maybe your past experiences show up now as hypervigilance, tension, irritability, insomnia, or shutting down. Maybe you're managing burnout, depression, relationship struggles, or patterns you just can't seem to shake. Maybe you're tired of merely surviving and ready to actually feel different. With a background in social justice, many of my clients are queer, activists, neurodivergent, and others for whom identity/politics/systemic context are part of their story. We start by helping your body feel safer through various approaches such as biofeedback, breathwork/meditation, or the Safe and Sound Protocol so your nervous system doesn’t have to work so hard. From there, we look deeper at the patterns, relationships, and stories that shaped how you move through the world. We explore what matters to you at your own pace. Our work together isn't about fixing what's "wrong" with you. It's about understanding what has happened to you, how you've adapted, and finding out what is possible when we have more awareness and more options. My approach is a deeply relational one. You're the expert on your own life and I'm here to serve as a supporter and collaborator in the process.
Debra Frankel is a private practitioner who has an expertise in Bipolar Disorder and Unipolar Ddpression. I have worked at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School at Western Psychiatric Institute in Mood Disorder Research as both a supervisor and clinician. I utilize the Interpersonal Therapy and Interpersonal and Social Rhythms therapeutic modalitites. I am also skilled in treating people who suffer from anxiety disorders, trauma and transition issues.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
We are located a few blocks off campus and seek to provide prompt, professional psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and personal adjustment issues for students. Our counselors are psychologists and social workers with experience and compassion. We accept most major insurance providers.
I enjoy working with people who are experiencing difficulty managing their emotions, and feel a loss of control or direction in their lives. If anger, depression, mood swings, anxiety, or past traumas are making life and your relationships with others problematic, I want to help! My approach to therapy is relaxed and down-to-earth. I will collaborate with you, in a respectful, nonjudgemental, and supportive manner. By increasing self-awareness, you will be better able to understand the barriers keeping you from happiness, and our work together will help you to develop your strengths, coping skills, and confidence.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Our aim is to create a collaborative, person-centered healing relationship with clients. The dynamic of this co-created space is one where you can explore and find your unique tools, techniques, and strengths to empower your authentic self, as well as your understanding of the world around us. Our intention in all levels of our work is to decolonize the therapeutic space. We are LGBTQIA2S+ affirming and sex-positive. We are dedicated to the continuous engagement--both professionally and personally--that this requires. Most of us identify as queer and/or neurodivergent, and several of us also live with chronic illnesses. We believe that clients have the right to interview their clinicians and choose someone they can ask questions to and get honest answers!
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.
I worked in university counseling centers for over 10 years before transitioning to full-time private practice, and really enjoy working with undergraduate and graduate students. College and graduate school is often a time to better understand and define who you are and what does and does not work for you and for promoting your wellbeing. As a psychologist, I work to help clients understand themselves better in the unique context and experiences of their own lives so as to figure out what each individual needs to be well, which may be very different than what you think you should need to be well. I also work to help clients not only manage their symptoms and distress, but also understand the root causes of their symptoms and distress. I believe that this deeper understanding can often lead to transformative healing.
25+ yrs of post-licensure experience. Co-owner of Existential-Dynamic Associates. I see counseling as a collaborative process designed to help you overcome problems & live more fully. I believe that seeing yourself & others with compassion & acceptance is a path to well-being & meaning. I have an engaging, experiential style. I also lecture domestically & internationally on anger management, mindful eating, & perfectionism. My approach to self-criticalness was validated by an independent research team. I am on the Advisory Board of The Mindfulness Project (London, UK).
Hi. I am glad you are on this journey to feel like yourself again. We have a variety of clinicians with different specialties, though we are all focused on growth and recovery - no matter where you are starting. We look forward to hearing from you. Lorie, our client care manager will return all emails or phone calls and get you set up with someone ASAP. Depending on your availability, we may even have appointments as soon as this week!
I am an LGBTQ-competent therapist working with adolescents (16+), college students, and young adults who experience stress and worry, feel down or hopeless, who struggle to focus in school or employment, and/or who are exploring their gender and sexual identities. I empower my patients to identify their own goals and intentions in therapy that support their values. Some examples include: improving ability to cope with anxiety; learning to set and communicate boundaries; managing difficult emotions; and creating structure and habits that optimize success in school or employment. I use evidenced-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-informed skills, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions. I will invite your feedback on which interventions you find most helpful and adapt sessions accordingly. Engaging in therapy, especially as a young person, takes great bravery and vulnerability. I hope to provide a welcoming and calming environment to support you through meeting your goals. I see patients virtually and in person.
I strive not to be one of "those" clinicians who wear a fake grin while holding a clipboard. Life is not that simple, and it doesn't need to be approached that way. I firmly embrace a person-centered approach, which affords me the freedom to explore different perspectives. If you are contemplating seeing someone, I encourage you to take the first step towards bettering yourself and understanding your own emotional depth. I offer free 15-minute screenings to consult and see if I would be a good fit for you; otherwise, I am more than happy to help you find a provider that has the most potential impact for your needs.