Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

I strive to encourage a self-driven sense of wellness with all individuals I work with. Since 2015 I have worked with individuals coming from an array of backgrounds, challenges, circumstances, and stories. Having worked with professionals from diverse specialties (psychological, psychiatric, medical, occupational, nursing) I like to take a collaborative and eclectic approach to mental health and therapy. Regardless of a person's background it is possible to achieve relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, and relational challenges.

Welcome! I'm Joanna. I work with adolescents (16+) & adults, most frequently young adults. I particularly enjoy working with transitional issues - changes in school, jobs, family, relationships, identity, etc. Often, my clients are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and/or interpersonal conflict. I value working with folks with a range of backgrounds, races, faiths, genders, sexualities, and lifestyles. My work sees people through a systems lens, recognizes the oppressive barriers to mental wellness, and encourages reflection on cultural impact. My ideal client is open minded, patient, and motivated for change. I value flexibility in the therapeutic relationship and use a person-centered approach, whether that's structured skill building or an empathetic ear. I work mostly from an ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) framework, but also incorporate elements of CBT, DBT, and interpersonal therapy. I am not a true "blank slate" - healing comes from connections! I'm glad to have you here - it shows you've taken a huge first step towards healing, processing, and growth, and I'm honored to support you. Shoot me a message to get connected (note: telehealth only)! The extras: I am a cancer sun ISFJ, and I enjoy making pottery, reading fiction, going for walks/hikes, and watching reality TV with my dog.

I offer supportive, non-judgmental, and empathetic counseling services. I believe you already have your own answers and just need guidance and support to get to them. I have been practicing for over 20 years with specialties in Womens issues, Domestic violence, life transitions, Depression, anxiety, Trauma informed care, Substance use issues, Time management, and stress management. I am skilled with CBT, DBT, Motivational enhancement therapy, Motivational interviewing, and Trauma informed care models.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

All are welcome in this private practice. I have expertise in working with college students, undergraduate and graduate students. I am willing to work on short-term problems or longer term issues. I see therapy as a collaborative process with an emphasis on emotional safety, and creative self-understanding. I can provide therapy via virtual or in-person sessions.

I've dedicated my life to understanding and caring for the mind. Childhood curiosity drew me to study at Cornell University, which ranged from the philosophy of mind to the neurobiology of behavior. In medical school, I fell in love with psychiatry because of a fascination with patients' stories and a profound respect for their unique ways of enduring them. I sought my graduate medical education at the Western Psychiatric Hospital of UPMC, one of the nation's largest and most renowned university-affiliated psychiatric hospitals. As a board-certified psychiatrist, I provide evidence-based treatment centered on your goals, strengths, and circumstances. Many people seek care for depression, anxiety, difficulties with concentration, sleep problems, stress, or a loss of motivation. While diagnostic labels can be helpful, my primary focus is understanding the factors that contribute to a person's struggles and identifying opportunities for meaningful change. Symptoms rarely arise from a single cause. They often reflect a complex interaction of physical health, sleep, relationships, life experiences, habits, and patterns of thinking. Through a careful assessment, I work to develop a clear understanding of these influences and create a practical path forward. My approach combines the latest research with a deep understanding of you as an individual. Treatment builds upon your existing strengths, interests, motivations, and life experiences to help you move toward the changes that matter most. Medication decisions are collaborative, thoughtful, and informed by both scientific evidence and your unique personal history. Your healing and growth will happen through a unique patient-doctor relationship enriched by creativity and flexibility. While there are standardized scales to guide your progress, the true measures of success will be reaching your personal goals and living a life that reflects your values.

Guided by values of nonjudgment, curiosity, nonviolence, and compassion for all beings; ​We understand healing as an intentional process of cultivating healthy, respectful, and authentic relationships with ourselves, with others, and with our wider community. ​We aim to serve and strengthen our community by helping to reduce stigma and expand understanding around mental health and wellbeing, while increasing awareness of the interpersonal, social, cultural, and physical environments that may help or hinder development. ​We acknowledge and work to change harmful systems, beliefs, and conditions; and support individuals to live in alignment with their values and live with agency, dignity, and joy within these contexts. ​We believe that growth and meaningful change can occur at any stage of life and are essential for lasting mental health. ​We approach our work with reverence and humility, and consider it a privilege to serve and support you on life's journey.

My expertise is in supporting people living with depression, anxiety, and the after-effects of traumatic interpersonal experiences at work, school, religious institutions, and in families. We all need a safe base to connect to. I trust that people know what they need. I respect the courage it takes to express those needs and work towards meeting them. I'm warm, present, direct, and playful to interact with. I can help you connect with yourself and others, mindfully ease into your body, and approach yourself gently. I use my experience from careers as in Education, Neuropsychology Research, Clinical Healthcare, Nonprofit Leadership, and Technology Start-ups to support people in the challenge of life and career transitions. B.S. Biology, M.S. Counseling Psychology. I’m trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy through Behavioral Tech & WPIC Bellefield Clinic, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy through the University of Washington, Infant Mental Health through Chatham University, Social Innovation Design through University of Pennsylvania, and Environmental Ed through Grove City College.

I provide experienced, thoughtful care to young adults and college students navigating a wide range of challenges. Whether you’re feeling stuck, anxious, disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply seeking clarity and direction, therapy can help you better understand yourself, shift unhelpful patterns, and create meaningful change. My approach is holistic, warm, and relational. I work collaboratively with each client to uncover the underlying forces shaping their current concerns, helping them identify choice points and reconnect with their strengths. While I work with a wide range of presenting issues, I have a special focus on treating trauma in its many forms. I am especially committed to providing safe, affirming, and effective care for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, and for those carrying the long shadows of past experiences. Regardless of the content, I approach every session with cultural humility, clinical attunement, and deep respect for each client’s lived experience. Therapy is your time—for insight, healing, growth, or simply space to breathe and think. A strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of this work, and I invest fully in building that alliance with every client I meet. To learn more about my practice or see if we might be a good fit, please scroll down and click the link to my website.

I specialize in helping individuals manage anxiety, stress, and the unique challenges of life transitions. I offer a supportive nonjudgemental space where you can work through situations such as relational difficulties, internal battles of self esteem or difficulties with facing life head on. My goal is to help you thrive personally inside and within the world you are able to create.

Art Therapy is for everyone! I am comfortable working with individuals from diverse cultures, beliefs and existences, and feel that being accepting, objective, respectful, and genuine are characteristics essential in a therapist; I strive to bring an inclusive and multicultural spirit to my work. Art Therapy provides an excellent catalyst for the expression of thoughts and feelings, and helps to find hidden meanings in your life; as your therapist I am here to assist with making sense of images and finding ways to manage feelings and issues. My inclination is to invite a spirit of fierce self-acceptance and self-compassion; to help change the negative, anxious, narrative to one of gentleness, forgiving, and yes, even loving.

East End Therapists provide counseling support for teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss, and life stressors. Both individual and couple’s therapy are offered. We have therapists trained in multiple modalities including EMDR, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt, and mindfulness techniques. Creating a comfortable, helpful, and beneficial experience for our clients is important to us.

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!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We work with diverse population providing counseling, support and therapy utilizing CBT, DBT, Existential, Psychodynamic and Gestalt approaches. Learn coping skills to better handle stress, anxiety, depressive mood, anger, losses, academic challenges and relationship issues. We are here to facilitate your wellbeing in times of struggles and to prevent further problems. Let's connect that we can help you and facilitate your achievement! Best wishes!

Are you ready to start a new path in your life? Or are you feeling weighed down by the heaviness of fatigue, worry, trauma, grief, or the pain of your past? You are not alone. Together we will understand your suffering, draw from your strengths, and develop new ways of coping with life’s challenges. As a therapist, I provide a unique integration of humanistic, experiential constructivist, and mindfulness-based therapies. I am passionate about serving the underserved, particularly the needs of the African American community. As a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, I am also invested in responding to the challenges veterans face while at home and abroad. Aside from being a therapist, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, (anywhere with water!), failed attempts at salsa dancing, chocolate, and church.

Seeking help requires courage and strength, and I applaud you for the steps you have already taken in your journey. The demands of life are vast, but I believe they can feel a little lighter with a supportive, affirming presence by your side. I am committed to providing a compassionate, accepting, collaborative, and empowering space for you. I firmly believe each person possess an incredible capacity for enhancing their well-being, and I am honored to accompany you on your journey of healing and personal growth. I am a trained Art Therapist. I believe art and creative expression have an incredible capacity for healing and transformation. Art has been instrumental in my own healing process, and I grateful to share this gift with others. I am passionate about helping people develop effecting coping skills and fulfilling forms of self-expression. I use multiple approaches in my practice to create an experience tailored to each client’s individual strengths, values, and goals. My theoretical orientation is eclectic but deeply rooted in humanistic theories, especially person-centered and gestalt. I also use narrative therapy techniques to empower individuals to tell their life story in their own words.

As a therapist, I strive to provide my patients with a balance of validation and challenge. When we feel stuck, it can seem impossible to take action and make change. Together, we can explore your strengths and how those can guide you through your fears and anxieties. I utilize a strength-based, trauma-focused approach that is designed to treat you as an individual, with all the unique experiences and perspectives you bring to the therapy setting.

The Nexus Group is a Pittsburgh-based integrative psychiatric clinic, combining conventional psychiatry and psychotherapy with mind-body techniques, advanced nutrient therapy, and healthy lifestyle practices for a comprehensive, root-cause treatment of behavioral health conditions. We consider ourselves guides and collaborators, assisting you in your journey to achieve your optimal well being.