Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

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!

We meet you where you are and help you become a “BETTER YOU”. Meet Sandra I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have been working in the field for 15 years. I believe we all have the capacity to change and grow, and that we possess the skills to do so. Sometimes, we need someone to guide us through this transformation. When working with individuals, I work strongly from a Person-centered background, meaning that throughout the therapeutic process I will empower and motivate you in finding your most authentic self. My passion is providing therapy for adults struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Each person I see is unique, so I individualize my approach based on your goals. Treatment will be tailored to your cultural and social background, including ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. I have worked across a variety of treatment settings, from outpatient services, to family based services, crisis intervention, school counseling, and more recently drug and alcohol recovery services. I draw from CBT, DBT, Person-centered background and Motivational Interviewing Therapy to help my clients develop healthy coping strategies to make positive changes in their lives. I have also led an Anger Management group for adults and adolescents, as well as an early recovery Drug and Alcohol Recovery group for adults. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa, in Portugal, and a Master’s of Education minor in Mental Health Counseling from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. I am fluent in Portuguese.

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or trauma you may feel stuck in cycles that once helped you cope but now feel overwhelming, isolating, or out of control. I specialize in supporting individuals healing from eating disorders and attachment-related trauma. Disordered eating often develops as a way to cope. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion while building safer, more sustainable ways to cope. I hold advanced training in eating disorder treatment, am an Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist (IEDS), and am fully trained in EMDR to help process trauma at the root, not just manage symptoms. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or trauma you may feel stuck in cycles that once helped you cope but now feel overwhelming, isolating, or out of control. I specialize in supporting individuals healing from eating disorders and attachment-related trauma. Disordered eating often develops as a way to cope. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion while building safer, more sustainable ways to cope. I hold advanced training in eating disorder treatment, am an Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist (IEDS), and am fully trained in EMDR to help process trauma at the root, not just manage symptoms. My approach is person-centered, relational, and attachment-focused. I integrate EMDR, ACT, DBT, CBT, parts work, and polyvagal-informed interventions to support both emotional healing and nervous system regulation. My practice is inclusive, anti-diet, and aligned with Health at Every Size (HAES), providing affirming care for all bodies. It makes sense if part of you feels hesitant to reach out. Healing often begins in the very places that feel most vulnerable. If you’re longing for a space where you can feel understood, supported, and not judged, I invite you to connect. We can take this at a pace that feels safe for you.

At some point along the journey, our stories demand to be told. Whether through painful emotional and physical symptoms, relationship struggles, or other interruptive experiences, our lives catch up to us. They ask for our attention. Therapy is a place where, together, we can pay closer attention to your story and the person you are becoming. We are all always in process. I believe that we can experience true healing in a human encounter, and I strive to deeply listen to my clients, bringing curiosity and attention to the parts of you that may have gone unnoticed. Approach to Therapy My counseling approach is rooted in relational psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on patterns and themes from early childhood and how they show up in your life today. This approach also emphasizes the relationship between the therapist and client as a vehicle for healing and change. It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with, and it may take you some time to discern the right fit. I respect the vulnerability and bravery required to step into this work, and aim to meet you with humility, curiosity, and a responsible awareness of my own intersecting identities. Each person brings unique concerns and needs, and I am committed to ongoing research and training to provide the best care I can. I draw from a variety of approaches, including attachment-based therapy, family systems work, liberation psychology, Internal Family Systems (informed, not certified), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Narrative-Focused Trauma Therapy. Background: I have worked with at-risk youth, college students, and folks from all walks of life in outpatient and community mental health settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Trauma and Abuse from the Seattle School (2023). Outside of therapy, I enjoy lots of things, including yoga, performing arts, poetry, and being outside!

I’m not your “just nod and validate everything” therapist. I have a B.S. from Penn State and an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Children, Adolescents, and Trauma) from Lock Haven—but more importantly, I meet you where you are, not where you “should” be. I use person-centered and parts work, but I’m flexible and tailor therapy to what actually works for you. I love working with teens and young adults, but if you’ve got a brain and feelings, we’ll get along. I’m direct, I use humor, and I’ll call you out (with care). I’m here to help you grow—even when it’s uncomfortable. My style? Person-centered and parts work at the core, with flexibility built in. I adjust, pivot, and pull from different approaches based on what actually helps you, not what sounds the most clinical or impressive. I want all of my clients to walk into my room and feel as though they are sitting down with a friend, not a professional. I focus heavily on building rapport, getting to know you as an individual and not just as "my client." We will laugh, cry, process, and cope together in your mental wellness journey!

Please see www.drramirao.com for more information! Office hours are by appointment, M-Th and Saturday.

I work with students who have experienced traumas and are finding it difficult to sleep or function in school as a result of stress or anxiety. I also work with students who feel uneasy in social situations, or have expectations of themselves that are difficult to maintain. Reach out and talk with me about how I can help.

I work with individuals/families who are experiencing OCD, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Perfectionism, Phobias, BFRBs, Body Dysmorphia, Emetophobia, and other OC spectrum and all Anxiety Disorders. My treatment is focused on using Exposure Response and Prevention Therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders, along with ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I focus on helping folks develop tools for coping and then problem solving, goal setting and encouragement to face fears head on. This leads to freedom from Anxiety and transformation, building inner confidence and strength. If you or someone in your family is feeling constantly anxious, stuck in rumination cycles or sticky thoughts, or if you want to take your life back from the binds of anxiety and OCD this might be the right next step for you. If you want to learn to trust yourself better, rather than constantly doubt, this may be the place for you to start your journey. I'd be honored to walk beside you if you would like support and learning along the way.

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.

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!

Therapy should provide a safe space free from judgment where you can seek support, be genuine, feel heard and grow into the person you want to be. In sessions, we will work together to identify your unique abilities, strengths and successes. We will explore how to use those strengths and abilities to process past events, feel better, achieve your goals and live a life that feels meaningful to you. My integrative approach is strengths based and person centered with elements of evidence based approaches including CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, and EMDR. I have extensive experience working with adolescents, teens and young adults who are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, depression, parenting issues, life transitions, effects of trauma and relationship struggles. I am trained in EMDR via EMDR Consulting, an EMDR International Association Approved Training Provider. I look forward to meeting with you!

I work to empower students to thrive while navigating the transition to college and beyond. This includes support with building confidence and resilience, managing stress, anxiety, and depression, and helping create a positive college experience. I create a warm and open environment to address issues and create lasting change.

On our journey it can be helpful to have someone to help us see the narratives that often define our lives. Some of those narratives keep us from experiencing what we want for ourselves now and in the future. Since graduating with a Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in 2010, I have been working as a therapist with people in various stages of life. A relationship between a therapist and client can provide someone with a deep reflection of how they live and are experienced. I believe therapy can give us the opportunity to rediscover our story in a new way. Real change is possible and the therapeutic relationship is one of the ways to cultivate that change. Areas of experience and interests: ADHD, adults, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, family of origin concerns, grief and loss, life transitions, mother abandonment, parenting, sexuality, sexual and physical trauma, trauma recovery Fee: I offer a sliding scale fee Insurances Accepted: United Healthcare, UPMC, Cigna, Highmark Therapeutic Style: Relational Psychotherapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed, Family Systems Contact Autumn directly at 412-606-1887 or autumnkrusebrownlee@gmail.com

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

CURRENT OPENINGS available for telehealth (virtual sessions) in response to management of stay at home orders. Hello! I'm Jen, a Licensed Professional Counselor, working out of a private practice in downtown Pittsburgh (PKO Counseling). I have obtained a Masters of Counseling and Human Development at Walsh University. In my practice, I use a variety of approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Art Therapy. I have particular experience in working with those facing depression, anxiety, trauma, phase of life issues, LGBT concerns, anger management, and addiction. It is my hope to be able help you build the confidence and skills you need to manage the stressors in your life. My goal is to provide a non-judgmental, safe environment to work on whatever is interfering with your happiness. I am someone who enjoys bringing humor into our sessions, and look forward to having the opportunity to get to know you. I hope to help you find the strength and support you need through our sessions together.

Evolve provides unique and individualized coaching support in the areas of education, employment, and the arts. Academic & Organizational Coaching Does perfectionism sometimes prevent you from turning in assignments? Do you often get “stuck” when trying to shift from one task to the next? Is communicating with your professors and/or peers a challenge? Do you avoid things like laundry, cleaning, eating and socializing? Do you simply want to take advantage of quality support during this pivotal time in your life? Live up to your potential. We meet you on campus or by video to help you time manage, organize, and prioritize your daily tasks into a manageable schedule that allows you to be a successful and well-rounded student at your college or university - all while taking advantage of social opportunities as well! Choose once or twice-weekly sessions which take place on or near your college campus. Services also include consultation with college faculty, peer support, and a weekly group session for those interested. Employment Coaching & Interview Prep Have you been struggling to find a job? Do you know you have specific talents, but struggle with interviews? Do you want to keep your next job for longer than just a few months? Gain independence. Let us help you identify your strengths and skills to find a job that's right for you. We can guide you through the preparation of a great resume and cover letter and help you prep for interviews. If you are currently working, we can discuss ways to improve communication at work and advocate for yourself on the job. Invite us to consult with managers, and provide workplace support as needed. Social and Self-Advocacy Groups ​Do you dread "small talk"? Do you wish that people would just say what they mean? Would you like to meet people who share your interests? Would you like to discuss ways to stand up for yourself? Gain confidence. Consider joining one of our groups! Social groups meet weekly and are available to college students and non-students.

College can feel like a lot to carry. Classes, relationships, expectations, and trying to figure out what comes next. You might look like you’re handling things on the outside, but inside feel overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or unsure of yourself. You may notice the same patterns showing up in relationships or feel like you’re falling behind. You are not alone, this is a very common experience. Therapy is a place to sort through what’s going on and understand why things feel this way. With over 20 years of experience, I work with students navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, academic challenges and family and relationship challenges. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can talk openly, make sense of your experiences, and start to feel steadier and more confident. Together, we’ll work on building healthier boundaries, finding clarity, and helping you move forward in a way that feels right for you. If you’d like to connect, email is the best way to reach me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Whether you suffer from the effects of a single trauma or a lifetime of overwhelming events, relationship distress, tough transitions, compulsive behavior, or addiction, we can help. We bring focused, informed attention to touch your concerns at a depth and pace respectful of your boundaries. Working together, stuck places move; painful, unsustainable states return to balance. Amy's decades of experience working with stress, intergenerational patterns, and chronic suffering via bodywork, movement therapy, group facilitation, and psychotherapy informs our work. Each provider enriches our approach to eliciting change. At Social Emotional Change, we're focusing on the neurobiomechanics of stress, using a spectrum of services to engage, calm, and enliven response. We can work with your psychotherapist to coordinate care that elicits embodied change, or provide profound integrative services in-house. Reach out to explore your strengths and struggles, and receive support to shift into the ease and peace you seek.

At Pittsburgh PCIT and Counseling our experience enables us to offer effective individual counseling for adolescents and young adults. Whether starting college or transitioning into adult life, late teens and early twenties can be a seriously exciting, but stressful time. We are able to address a number of behavioral and mental health concerns including, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, trauma, behavior problems, personal adjustments, LGBTQ+ issues, and other life stressors.