Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

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

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I'm a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, body image, and disordered eating. If you're ready to move beyond the surface, therapy can be a space to get curious and explore the parts of your experience that often go unspoken. Going deep means making room to understand the patterns that have shaped you and discovering new ways of relating to yourself and others. We'll explore both your past and your present with the hope of helping you better understand yourself and create meaningful change. I bring my authentic self into each session and encourage you to bring your full self as well. I believe the therapeutic relationship can be a powerful part of the healing process, and I welcome honest feedback about our work together. I'm attentive to the nuances of identity and committed to integrating a social justice approach into my work. Therapy can be a process of healing and transformation, with challenging moments along the way. I'm honored to join you in this process and work through those moments together. Prior to Forward Wellness, I was a staff therapist at CaPS at Carnegie Mellon University.

Hello! Searching for a therapist can be an overwhelming task. I am hoping to make this a bit easier for you. I currently have availability on Tuesdays during day the day (9:30-3:30). Telehealth sessions are offered to accommodate your needs. I hope to help you in building coping skills and to challenge difficult thoughts and patterns you may find yourself experiencing. My objectives are to individualize your care, help you to develop and work towards your long-term goals, and also process through the general difficulties that every day life presents.

Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Taking the first step in seeking therapy can feel overwhelming in itself. We know life can be complicated, unpredictable, and at times challenging to navigate. I've been working as a therapist for over 13 years and have experience supporting individuals and families across the lifespan. Helping young adults navigate life transitions as they embark on adulthood and gain newfound independence has become a particular passion of mine. I work from a trauma-informed framework with clients and students experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, social pressures, identity exploration, disordered eating, life transitions, grief, loss, and concerns related to the LGBTQ+ community and their families. I strive to meet clients wherever they may be on their own journey. Sessions with me are authentic, supportive, creative, compassionate, and collaborative as we work together to develop individualized goals. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and EMDR-trained clinician, I offer art therapy services and interventions alongside other counseling approaches, including CBT, DBT, person-centered, and solution-focused techniques. Disclaimer: You do not have to be “good at art” to benefit from art therapy. You also have the freedom to decline art therapy altogether if you prefer more traditional talk therapy sessions. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

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I see one of the most important roles as a therapist to be putting in the work to earn someone’s trust and walking beside them as an accomplice on their path towards growth. I don’t believe that people are “broken” or “need to be fixed”, but rather that somewhere within every person lies the capacity to generate change. I believe this change begins by finding someone trustworthy to support them through this process. And—that being kinder and gentler towards ourselves goes a long way to building the foundation for this change to occur. My experiences span across 15 years, with the scope of my direct work supporting clients in their exploration of gender expression/transition, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss and more- all within Allegheny County. I am also happy to provide evaluations and letters for Gender Affirming surgeries, Green Card Status, and Emotional Support Animals. The world is an often hard place to be, and my goal is to create a space for softness to occur. To not only listen but to hear and understand. To respect through accountability. To address struggles through processing and also through action leading to systemic change.

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

Of all the relationships we have in our lives, I believe that the one you have with yourself is the most important and impactful. Therapy allows a person to create an authentic relationship with oneself. Through the therapeutic process, a person is able to find and access their own innate ability to heal and grow within a supportive, compassionate, and empowering environment. My passion for this work comes from seeing my clients evolve to feel happier and healthier in their daily lives. What I do: Individual Psychotherapy- I provide both in-person and telehealth treatment for teenagers, young adults, and adults, focusing a wide array of concerns including: life transitions, traumatic life experiences, daily functioning impairment, anxiety, and depression ​Gender and Sexuality Affirming Mental Health Care- I provide a safe space for those of you within the LGBTQIA+ community to process concerns unique to your own lived experiences ​Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)- EMDR is a research-backed treatment developed to help you heal following traumatic events by processing memories and gaining control over the way the trauma history impacts the mind and body. ​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- CBT is used to help you understand and learn skills to challenge unhelpful or maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns ​Mindfulness- Mindfulness techniques are used to teach you how to relate to your thoughts differently and to live in the moment

My counseling style is grounded in the belief that, as humans, we are all imperfect; but are also inherently "ENOUGH". I believe in an empoweringly collaborative approach to help clients identify patterns and address cycles of distress.

Are you trying to navigate life's many challenges in a more flexible, aware, and skillful way? Let's collaborate to change patterns that aren't working for you. Respecting that you are the expert on your life and goals, I will integrate my training and experiences to support you in growth. Individuals often work with me to shift patterns of anxiety or depressed mood, to reclaim the energy wasted on perfectionism or overly harsh self-criticism, to reduce procrastination and improve effectiveness, to make progress on health goals, to improve the quality of their relationships, and to manage stress more efficiently. I also specialize in perinatal mental health (pregnancy, post-partum, fertility, loss) and in working with parents of children of all ages. Most people I work with choose online therapy, and some meet with me in the office. As a member of PSYPACT I can often continue to work with you online while you visit home or work/study outside of PA. (For participating states: https://psypact.org/page/psypactmap)

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you achieve, your anxiety, stress, or burnout never lets up? Perfectionism, overthinking, or past trauma may leave you tense, stuck, or constantly on edge. Your body might feel wired, your mind keeps racing, and you can’t fully relax even when life seems “fine.” You want relief, better focus, and a calmer, steadier nervous system. You want to thrive without being trapped by overwhelm, worry, or patterns that keep you from feeling truly present—and maybe even laugh a little along the way. I specialize in anxiety, chronic stress, and nervous system dysregulation. Using trauma-informed and somatic approaches, I help you regulate your nervous system, address patterns from past experiences, and, when appropriate, use Brainspotting for deeper trauma processing. You don’t have to manage anxiety or stress alone. Therapy is a space to feel supported, slow down, and create meaningful change. We may even use humor to lighten the load and help your nervous system settle. If this approach resonates, I invite you to reach out and explore whether we are a good fit.

People come to therapy for many different reasons, but, at the core, they are looking for understanding, relief, or growth. Maybe you’re trying to understand why you feel the way you do, or you find yourself caught in the same difficult thoughts again and again. Perhaps you’ve noticed patterns of behavior that seem to work against your own well-being. You might be facing a life transition—chosen or not—and are feeling anxious about what’s next. Or maybe you just feel stuck. Therapy offers a space to slow down and make sense of what’s happening. Together, we can clarify your current experience, explore how you got here, and begin to shape a healthier, more fulfilling path forward.

At Strong Foundations, we understand that finding the right mental health provider can be a daunting task. Please see our website for a full list of services we offer and description of our counselors. As a practice, our highest priority is providing supportive, personalized, and effective care to every individual and family. We offer individual therapy, neuropsychological testing, family & marital therapy. We use evidence-based treatment methods, including CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and PCIT. Our therapists offer daytime, evening, and some weekend hours to accommodate busy schedules. Sessions can be scheduled in person or virtually. Please call (412) 368-2211 to schedule an appointment or contact us via email: support@sfpgh.com

I believe in using a holistic, strength based approach that builds on your current assets to help you achieve your goals. I work collaboratively with you to focus on individual whole health, which includes identifying your aspirations and emphasizing empowerment and self care. I have experience creating a safe and warm environment in which to incorporate evidenced based interventions and coping strategies to help improve focus and manage anxiety, grief, and depression. I also utilize expressive arts to help identify unique, creative approaches to help you improve the quality of your life. My background includes over 25 years of experience in community and school based mental health settings with diverse populations including children, adolescents, and adults. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Art Therapist.

Rachel Porterfield is a licensed clinical social worker who provides psychotherapeutic care to adults of all ages. She has years of experience working with individuals who struggle with a variety of challenges, including anxiety/panic attacks, depression, grief and loss, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and relationship concerns. Rachel helps others to share their intimate thoughts and feelings while guiding them to learn new skills that will encourage them to develop healthy life changes openly and collaboratively. Rachel has been extensively trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches/models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy. Rachel has worked in outpatient dual diagnosed programs, hospitals, and primary care offices. Rachel received her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a certification in mental health.

I believe therapy works best as a collaborative relationship rooted in compassion and respect. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment to encourage personal insight and provide skills to help you navigate challenges and enhance your overall well-being.

Hello and welcome to my page. My ideal client is struggling with their self-esteem, anxious and/or depressive symptoms, relationship issues, and even substance use/misuse. Most of my clients' goal is to live a more fulfilling and content life. They want to feel understood, supported, and listened to empathetically. I can help by primarily trying to understand you. That is the bottom line. I will offer you a safe, caring, and nonjudgemental environment to do this. I will listen fully with interest and respect so you can begin to talk about the parts of your life and yourself you are struggling with. I have worked as a social worker for 18 years, first at a community mental health center, then at a private group practice, and now solely in my own private practice. I work with young adults, adults, and older adults.

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.

Amber is a keen listener and highly values the relationship between the therapist and the client. She values trust, empathy and authenticity and believes strongly in the power of journeying with someone as a pathway to change. Amber’s style is warm, genuine, supportive and direct. Her theoretical approach is eclectic in nature and client-centered, drawing from psychodynamic and mindfulness-based modalities as well as parts work, and EFT. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma, and grief/loss. Amber is well-versed in the concept of Self-Compassion by Dr Kristin Neff and she works with adults of all ages. Amber has experienced religious deconstruction and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are going through these processes or those have experienced religious trauma. She believes spirituality is an integral part of a healthy, happy life and loves to explore meaning making with individuals regardless of religious/spiritual affiliation or non-affiliation-(atheists and agnostics welcome!). Amber loves working with couples, has completed Gottman levels 1 and 2, and has an understanding of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). She enjoys working to improve conflict, connect past experiences to current relationship struggles, and improve intimacy. Amber was an ASL Interpreter for many years and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. She is fluent in ASL and has a deep understanding of Deaf Culture. Amber graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s MSW program in the Spring of 2026. Prior to that, she worked as an ASL/English Interpreter for 24 years, specializing in mental health, higher education, and legal settings. She also served as a professional mentor and taught at the college level. Her B.S. is from Indiana University and is in ASL/English Interpreting. Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. -Rumi For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. -Audre Lorde