Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

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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.

Looking for something different in life, but unsure of how to get there? Together, we can open up new possibilities through mutual exploration. Attending to the therapeutic relationship is key in my approach to therapy, and I provide an empathic and safe environment that allows for exploration of experiences that may feel threatening or uncomfortable. My style of therapy draws from a blend of humanistic, constructivist, existential, relational, and psychodynamic approaches. I will work with you to explore how life experiences have contributed to you struggling to make meaning or feeling stuck, which may present itself in a variety of ways, such as depression, relationship issues, anxiety, and so on. I also incorporate a critical approach to psychotherapy that considers you and your experiences through a lens that includes the societal, political, and historical, which allows me to understand you holistically, within your context. Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and my pets, going for hikes and spending time outdoors, collecting and listening to records, and playing my guitar.

I help my clients get results fast. Therapy isn't a complicated process. We meet, we talk about the expectations of therapy, identify specific treatment goals and map out a plan. Our work takes place in the boundaries of a safe, corrective emotional relationship. I put patients’ feelings into words, focus on symptom management and reduce their impact on personal and professional lives. I've been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker for over 15 years. I use a CBT/ Solution Focused approach in helping patients reduce anxiety and elevate and stabilize depressed mood. I help people move toward wellness in a safe, non-judgemental space. Therapy works. It is about growth and evolution, and I've observed that there is great joy in embracing positive new behaviors based on this collaborative approach. I look forward to working with you via telehealth or in-person in our Squirrel Hill office.

Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? Feeling frozen by the pressure that comes with college, either academically or socially? Feeling like you're always people-pleasing and not being true to yourself? You're not alone. College can be one of the most exciting and confusing times in one's life, from navigating new identities and relationships to intense academic pressure to the looming questions of "What's next?" and "Where do I go from here?" At HeART Felt Therapy, we specialize in gently and creatively treating the symptoms that come from all of these pressures - including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Our approach is supportive and non-judgmental. If traditional talk therapy hasn't felt quite right, you might find that art therapy gives you a new way to express yourself (no artistic skill required!) that is gentle, intuitive, and healing. We understand how much pressure you're under. Together, we can unpack anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and anything else that's weighing on you - in a space that actually feels safe and supportive. Whether your'e trying to find your voice, heal from burnout, or just need someone who gets it, we're here for you. Not sure we'd be a good fit? Check out our Insta and TikTok pages to get the vibe! @heart_felt_therapy

Thank you for taking the time to look at my page. I commend you for taking the first step in exploring a therapist in the Pittsburgh area. My approach to counseling is grounded in empathy, compassion, and trust. I want our time together to be a collaborative process built on respect, understanding, non-judgment, and genuineness. There are points in everyone’s lives that may become unmanageable due to transitions, conflicts or a realization that may require the assistance of a therapist to help the client navigate forward in their journey. Counseling can be a valuable resource with lifelong tools to resolve past and present issues in people’s lives. I extend this invitation to you. My goal is to create a space for safety and empowerment. I am passionate about providing a collaborative therapeutic journey together. You are the expert of your life and your experiences, and it would be a privilege to go on this journey of growth and exploration with you. I believe learning and growing are constants in life. We can learn and grow from not only obstacles and challenges in life, but also successes and achievements, and therapy is a place to explore and process these parts of us. I value awareness and self-compassion, and I am drawn to find the deeper meaning of our behaviors and actions. My goal is to support you in living your life from a place of authenticity and self-understanding. I have a holistic perspective and I believe in the interdependence of the body, mind, and spirit. A person-centered and psychodynamic approach is what I bring to my work with individuals. My style pulls from different theories and practices of counseling. I want to meet you where you are, and I realize that one type of counseling does not fit everyone. You are unique and we will work together to find what works best for you!

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.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Training and professional background: I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana, graduating in May of 2014. In the Fall of 2012, I received training as a victims’ advocate and crisis line operator at the Family Justice Center in South Bend. For the rest of my time as an undergraduate, I continued volunteering for the FJC, focusing on taking crisis calls, yet unaware of the skills I was building in attending to each caller’s concerns. I utilized my training again during grad school to volunteer for Crisis Text Line, where I honed my skills in crisis management and planning. In December of 2018, I graduated with my Master of Science in Education from Duquesne University, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Duquesne’s program is CACREP accredited and meets all standards and requirements as an institution for counselor education. I received my license November of 2023. Theoretical orientation and approach to counseling: My clinical approach is rooted in two orientations: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy. I also draw heavily from the Humanistic-Existentialist perspectives of Psychology and philosophy in helping my clients better understand their feelings, goals, and experiences. My clinical practice embodies the spirit of meeting clients where they are. I enter each session with one objective: a readiness to talk and warmly receive. Client rights and responsibilities: As my client, I encourage you to ask questions and raise concerns about anything, especially my credentials and qualifications, the progress of our work together and its cost, my therapeutic approach, or anything else that concerns you. I take my role seriously as a helper and strongly believe that healthy relationships, especially therapeutic, require communication, consistency, and warmth. Therapeutically, we might be a good fit if: -- You are ready to make new moves in your life and relationships – So many of us know what must be done to address problematic behavior or to build better habits. What might be lacking is an awareness of the theory or tools to support those efforts. I am equipped to teach you how to individualize widely known coping skills, if you are ready to prioritize your mental health treatment. -- You are a creative person – The scaffolding or foundation you need to accomplish your long-term goals comes from your ability to generate creative solutions—no matter the medium! Your unique skills and worldviews can enrich to the work we do in the room. This takes the form of interesting, billowing conversation, not traditional art therapy. -- You are looking for a space to feel seen and heard – I take great pride in my ability to attend to the emotional needs of my clients. A dedicated space where the floor cedes to you, a conversation that is focused with warm curiosity on you, that is quickly becoming a rarity in our social interactions. While attentiveness is one of my biggest strengths to offer, I find being a witness to my clients’ concerns and vulnerabilities the greatest honor and reward in this field; we are the most human in these moments. It sets the stage for therapeutic collaboration and honors our innate drive to identify and hold our emotions without urgency or shame.

Todd Pungratz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and over a decade of experience supporting individuals through life’s most complex and meaningful challenges. His career has taken him through hospital settings, primary care clinics, and community mental health, where he’s worked with people facing trauma, grief, mood and thought disorders, substance use, and neurodivergence. He draws from a range of evidence-based approaches – including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care – and collaborates with prescribers when medication is part of your healing process. Todd offers a safe, nonjudgmental space in which clients can feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward at their own pace.

Our practice provides psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A psychoanalytic approach to treatment offers a comprehensive and nuanced framework for addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, identity struggles, self-esteem, and a sense of self. If advisable, we can also provide careful expert medication management that is informed by our therapeutic work together. Our approach facilitates an environment where people are able to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and wishes in a setting that is inherently collaborative, caring, and non-judgemental. A strong therapeutic relationship is the most powerful means of treatment and developing this alliance is an essential priority for me.

My approach to therapy emphasizes mindfulness and the development of inner resources to meet the challenges the world presents at every stage of life.

My therapeutic approach is humanistic and combines creative expression with elements of traditional counseling. 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.

My experience includes 20+ years as at Carnegie Mellon University's Counseling Center and 6 years at Persad Center. The work I do focuses on helping folks understand themselves and feel understood. Working together, we change help you work with difficult emotions,change patterns that cause distress, and nurture a meaningful life, as you define it.

If you’re feeling weighed down by shame, anxiety, or a sense of disconnection, you’re not alone. You may be functioning on the outside while feeling stuck or overwhelmed on the inside. Therapy can be a supportive place to slow down and begin making sense of what you’re carrying. I specialize in working with individuals navigating the impact of trauma, substance use, anxiety, and/or depression. I take a relational approach, meeting you with empathy and authenticity. Our work will honor you as a whole and unique being, integrating approaches such as mindfulness, parts work, and EMDR. In our sessions, there is space for tears, laughter, anger, relief, and growth—you can come as you are. I’m committed to working collaboratively with you and moving at a pace that feels safe. If this resonates, reach out to set up a brief consultation. I would be honored to connect with you.

My name is Nicole Grabowski and I am a holistic and intersectional therapist who approaches healing from a person-centered, anti-oppressive, and trauma-focused perspective. I strive to support you in understanding your resiliency, unburdening the struggles you carry, and navigating the barriers you encounter that prevent you from living the meaningful life you desire. I welcome and honor intersecting identities and experiences. Together, we will collaboratively work towards your goals and create a space for you to heal, grow, and bloom.

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 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.

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.

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!

I’m a psychoanalyst in private practice. Though I work most frequently with graduate students and faculty, I welcome all students with an interest in learning more about themselves. As a psychoanalyst, I believe in addressing the underlying causes of problems and difficulties.