Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

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.

I have over 20 years of experience specializing in treating women who have problems with their moods and difficulty managing emotions. Formally trained in Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Gestalt Therapy, I blend these approaches with warmth, compassion and a genuine desire to understand the experience of my clients, helping them feel empowered to overcome personal obstacles and move forward to a happier, healthier life. I encourage being present in the moment without judgment of ourselves, others, or our circumstances. I approach my work with enthusiasm and often a necessary bit of humor. I look forward to meeting with you.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Looking for a compassionate, trauma-informed space to grow your sense of empowerment? My approach to therapy starts with building a therapeutic relationship with authenticity and humor. Let’s get to know each other to find out if we’re a good fit! I specialize in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders in young adults and college students. I frequently work with queer and trans individuals, neurodiverse clients, and anyone hoping to reconnect with their emotions. I am confident in helping survivors of complex trauma revisit and process painful memories, then ground in the present moment before leaving the therapy office. I have received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Integrated Treatment for Complex Trauma. I also incorporate principles of mindfulness and somatic therapy that emphasize the mind-body connection. While my style is informed by these modalities, each session will be unique to your preferences, needs, and goals.

Jennifer has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has been a counselor for over 20 years. Jennifer works with college students who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression and difficulties adjusting to campus life. Mental health counseling, organizational skills and strategy development is provided. Jennifer also has experience working with various disabilities such as Autism/Aspergers, ADHD and learning disabilities.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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'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.

College is a time of frequent change, new experiences, identity-exploration, and uncertainty; juggling academic demands with everything else can prove daunting. If you're feeling that something needs a change, therapy can be the missing ingredient in psychological wellness. Hi! I'm Em! I previously worked in Seton Hill University's Counseling Center, providing individual therapy to college students for a wide variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, LGBTQIA+ issues, relationship and interpersonal problems, grief, trauma, academic stress, adjustment to college, and identity exploration. My approach is relaxed, conversational, and at times fun! I am non-judgmental, welcoming, and I collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan. I blend traditional talk therapy (where we explore your thoughts and feelings to increase insight) and skill building (where we practice techniques to soothe and minimize distress.) You'll find me at Elements Counseling & Wellness Spa in the east end of Pittsburgh. We're a 15-20 minute drive from most of Pittsburgh's universities, but I also offer telehealth sessions. I have weekend and evening availability. Let's connect!

Hi there! Please check out my website for more info. www.stacysimonphd.com

At Elements, we use evidence-based practices, and our therapists are trained in a variety of advanced modalities, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Practices, CBT, DBT, Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, Systemic Sex Therapy, and many others. Elements offers accessible in-person counseling services at our location in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as online teletherapy throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

I believe each of us has deep intuition, wisdom and knows what we need in order to heal; I will help you clear that path to healing. Making peace with the changes in our lives and finding acceptance can be extremely challenging. I would be honored to be present with you as you navigate this experience. I work well with individuals who are motivated and ready to transform by providing practical, research based tools and interventions that can help alleviate symptoms like stress, anxiety, sadness or irritability. I often encourage clients to continue our work outside of the therapy hour to expedite progress. I have 15 years of experience working with individuals and families across the lifespan in various settings including outpatient, home, school, community mental health, and crisis support. I help clients understand thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, blending somatic approaches, mindfulness and other therapeutic techniques to repair the body-mind connection and facilitate healing. Known for my calm, grounding presence, I bring authenticity, humor, and intuition into my work. Drawing on my knowledge as a Reiki Master and yoga teacher, I incorporate holistic practices such as relaxation, breathwork, and embodiment. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community with lived experience managing the chronic pain of endometriosis, I bring both clinical expertise and personal understanding to my work. I believe in the inherent dignity and worth that each of us carries and in our innate capacity for healing.

I am a white, genderqueer Licensed Associate Professional Counselor. I have experience working with queer people, people living after relational/sexual violence, and people who are interested in exploring issues that matter deeply to them, whether that is what gets called depression, trauma, anxiety, or simply a desire to explore. Authenticity, genuine human connection, and co-authorship are the pillars of how I consider client/counselor relationships, and I will bring a spirit of high regard, non-pathology, curiosity, and playfulness. Ultimately, I work to create a collaborative, co-authoring relationship with people who want more options and more say in their lives. Theoretically, I am driven by narrative, systems, and queer feminist thought. The world we live in is shaped by structures of power, including the knowledge we have about ourselves, our problems, and our options. Using narrative practices, I will work with you to investigate where that knowledge comes from and what alternate knowledge might be possible. In addition, I borrow freely from other approaches/modalities, and have experience in using trauma-informed approaches, mindfulness, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

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’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.

We are a collection of dedicated therapists specializing in neurodivergence (particularly ADHD and Autism), trauma and dissociation, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

If you're seeking to feel better in your body, free your mind from worries, break free from an endless battle with food, or simply strive for positive changes in your life, you're already on your way. I'm prepared to assist you in taking the necessary steps to see meaningful change, utilizing the best that research in the field of mental health has to offer. All you have to do is take the leap. Choosing to embark on change can be a terrifying step toward a better life, but know that you're not alone, and I'm here to help you take that leap.

I am a psychotherapist with over 20 yrs of experience and expertise in eating disorders, women's issues and working with college students. I provide therapy for those struggling with depression, anxiety, ocd, grief/loss, co-occurring illnesses and life transitions. I welcome a collaborative approach in which we work together to best understand your needs and concerns and to help you in the most impactful way.

Marybeth Kennedy, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in outpatient psychotherapy with children, teens, and college-age young adults. She has practiced in the field of mental health since 1984 in a variety of settings, including foster care, schools, group homes, and in the pediatric hospital setting. Her areas of expertise include working with patients with adjustment problems, mood disorders, ADHD, and chronic medical illnesses. She focuses particularly on children and teens with anxiety. Ms. Kennedy incorporates cognitive behavior therapy, anger management training, relaxation training, mindfulness interventions, and individualized psychotherapy in her outpatient practice. Ms. Kennedy has provided consultation to schools that specialize in serving students with behavior disorders by advising teachers and administrators in best practice behavioral interventions in the school setting and in the development and implementation of school-wide behavior management systems. She has been an adjunct faculty at several colleges in the Pittsburgh area, teaching courses in psychology. She has also been a guest lecturer in the special education department at the University of Pittsburgh, addressing behavioral interventions for classroom management. Ms. Kennedy earned her master’s degrees in psychology and social work. She is an alum of West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a Home-School Visitor certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.