Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA
Do you struggle with self esteem, decision making, or just life in general? Are you ready to make a change? Often times our experiences can/have shape(d) who we’ve become. You may be in need of support and that’s ok. Congratulations to you for taking the first step in seeking support. My mission is to help make a difference in the lives of others one day at a time. As a certified Compassion Fatigue counselor, I can assist with emotional exhaustion. Life experiences can often leave us drained, stressed and or overwhelmed. Are you one who has always been there for others in their time of need? Who helps you? Do you have a healthy support system? The helper often gets neglected because they’re busy assisting others which can lead to Compassion Fatigue. Let me assist you.
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I work with athletes, performers, and professionals to improve focus, confidence, and emotional agency under pressure. I will support you in attaining mindful engagement and psychological flow in your daily life. If you’re looking to navigate an important career transition, improve relationship patterns, or heal after a breakup, I’m also here to help. Regardless of your circumstances, you deserve to experience life to its fullest potential. My style is practical, collaborative, and tailored to your specific needs. Whether you are preparing for a critical moment, navigating a high-pressure or professional transition, working through relationship challenges, or trying to break through a plateau, I will help you gain the insight and skills needed to overcome barriers that may be holding you back. Over time, my goal is to help you stay present under stress, recover more quickly from setbacks, and respond to situations with clarity and control rather than force or self-criticism. I bring over a decade of experience as a psychologist, academic instructor, training director, and clinical supervisor. I look forward to serving you. Education and Career I am a licensed psychologist and a founding co-owner of Avellar Warden Psychological Associates, PLLC. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and completed my doctoral and post-doctoral residencies respectively at the University of Delaware and University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am a licensed psychologist in PA, NY, and a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows me to work with clients in almost every state within the U.S.
I offer a collaborative and supportive space where you can explore your experiences with openness and honesty. Whether you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or you want a change of perspective in your life, I aim to make you feel understood. My style is warm, grounded, and attuned. Together, we will work toward greater clarity, emotional balance, and meaningful change.
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.
Hello! I specialize in working with engineering and other STEM students that feel overwhelmed by their academic and personal lives. As a former mental health ambassador for two top engineering programs in the country, I have a wealth of experience working with students who are driven, highly intelligent and under intense pressure to succeed. I also work with engineers and engineering managers across STEM industries and can support students in their career exploration process. I am a neuro-divergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming provider that will take the time to tailor your therapy experience to exactly what you need. I am looking forward for the chance to meet you. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 min consultation to discuss how I can help you in your journey through and after school.
I often work with individuals in recovery, teens, college students, young adults, and more. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals focusing on self-discovery, empowerment, and identity exploration. I also work with individuals struggling with religious trauma or spiritual concerns.
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Sometimes life feels overwhelming — stress, anxiety, depression or relationship challenges can leave you feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward. Therapy can help you understand why you feel this way and explore new paths toward change. Often, what seems like the “problem” on the surface is connected to something deeper. Together, we’ll work to uncover and understand these underlying patterns so that meaningful change can happen. I provide a safe, supportive space to explore your experiences and help you create more satisfying relationships and a life that feels aligned with your goals.
At times, people need a safe and supportive environment to express their thoughts and feelings. Counseling is an opportunity for people to gain awareness, acceptance, insight, and identify tools for relaxation and problem-solving. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Accepting NEW individuals! Hello and welcome! I practice with the belief that YOU are the expert of your own life and the person who knows what is best for you. That said, sometimes we all get a little stuck along the way. Since you're here, you (or a loved one) are likely contemplating making some positive changes and could benefit from some help and guidance. Whether you are challenged with anxiety, depression, PTSD, past trauma, or something else, I believe we can work together to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. My sessions are goal oriented and future focused, guided by you, working at a comfortable pace. Treatment techniques include: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectal behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). LGBTQIA+ community welcome, working knowledge of most religions/spiritualities, willing to discuss upon request. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Clinical Tele-mental Health Professional. Almost a decade in crisis work and community mental health has honored me with the opportunity to share in the lives and stories of so many people. I bring that with me to my work and look forward to sharing in your journey as well. Please reach out for a free consultation to explore if us working together would be a good match. Call me and let's talk more!
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” ― Albert Camus. Choosing to be alive in our society and culture is a brave, daring, and difficult act. I enjoy working with people who want to understand and support themselves in healing from and with shame, disconnection, stagnancy, and trauma with the goal of becoming more alive, more true to themselves, and more genuinely connected to themselves and the world around them. I am a gentle person who enjoys using humor and delicately mixing the light and dark of the world in the healing journey. I am skilled in DBT and ITCT. I am currently pursuing training in Somatic Experiencing Therapy. I have specialized in working with young adults who are experiencing depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, BPD, bipolar disorder, and complex trauma. I am passionate about supporting survivors of child abuse/neglect, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. I am dedicated to anti-racism. I am of the LGBTQ+ community and bilingual in Spanish and English. I accept Highmark insurance and am currently in the process of credentialing with UPMC, Medicaid, Cigna, Aetna, and United. I offer sliding scale sessions. I can offer free introduction phone calls to see if we are a good fit. Reach out with any questions or interests!
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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.
Hello and welcome. Are you struggling with life transitions, feeling anxious and/or depressed? Have you been struggling with self confidence or self esteem? These are just some of the areas if you are ready we can work on together. These are just a few of the topics we can discuss together if you are ready. I believe in meeting you where you are and helping you meet the goals you want to work on. I look forward to speaking with you and learning about what you would like to work on.
It can be difficult to navigate finding mental health care, but you’ve made it this far. I view my role as holding a warm space for us to explore what is working and not working for you in your life. Most of us weren’t taught how to experience our emotions mindfully and respond with intention. It makes sense that many of us struggle with responding to our emotions compassionately. I may help you identify, understand, and accept difficult internal experiences while taking meaningful action in your life. My experiences range from outpatient care to more intensive eating disorder partial hospitalization. I seek to help you feel empowered to move through the world in your body as it is in this moment. Whether or not you’re struggling with your relationship with food or your body, I find self-compassion an important tool in promoting mental health. One of the ways change happens is by doing something differently than you’ve done before. I encourage you to make small changes in between sessions as we work together. The therapy process can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. I'd be honored to be a part of it with you.
We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.
College and graduate school can stretch you academically, mentally, and emotionally. When stress, burnout, or self-doubt start to pile up, that stretch can feel more like a breaking point. I work with students to navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, life transitions, and challenges that can come with disability. I also support people adjusting to new environments, including the shift from rural backgrounds into more urban, academic settings. Together, we’ll look at where you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed and build practical skills to help you clear those hurdles and reconnect with what matters to you. My approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). In practice, this means we’ll use a blend of tools to help you understand your thoughts and reactions, make sense of your experiences, and respond in ways that feel more manageable and effective. I will tailor our work to your personal goals, because your idea of accomplishment is what matters to me. If you’re interested, we can also bring in elements of Geek Therapy® (using movies, games, or other examples of popular culture) to make therapy feel more relatable and engaging. If you’ve been dealing with mental fatigue, cognitive overload, or a life-altering diagnosis, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We can work together to help you feel more balanced, confident, and prepared for your next chapter, whether that’s graduation or the following academic term. Reaching out can be the most difficult step in this process. Let’s start a conversation and design a treatment plan just for you.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.