Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

Lighthouse Family Counseling serves children ages 6 years and up, adolescents, families, couples, adults, and seniors. Lighthouse accepts insurance. Lighthouse Family Counseling has a total of sixteen counselors, each ranging in experience. Many have licenses and more than 15 to 25 years in the field. We have a variety of counselors with a range of experiences and backgrounds. Our counselors vary in ages which is a benefit to the population that we serve. Every counselor brings their own unique background of expertise to the group; for example, trauma work, LGBTQ+ focused care, CBT, solution focused, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, DBT, men's issues, women's issues, etc. Our counselors work a hybrid model of office and telehealth, while a few counselors prefer telehealth only. Lighthouse Family Counseling is open by appointment only 7 days a week based on the counselor's availability, 9am to 8pm.

Whether it's your freshman or senior year, college is a time of change and transition. You may be thinking about giving therapy a try to manage all the stress of independence, grades, social life, athletics, relationships, and making decisions about your future. The pressure of college can be a lot. Therapy can be a place to learn healthy ways to cope with these challenges and build confidence in yourself to get through hard times. If you are someone that is creative or has felt "stuck" with traditional talk therapy, I'm happy to also offer art therapy. I'm here to support college students gain insights about who they are and who they want to be.

We are who we are for a lot of reasons, maybe we will never know most of them. But even if we can't choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. -Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower This quote has always resonated with me as a clinician; there are many aspects of our lives, our stories, our families, and our circumstances that we may not have chosen and may not be able to change. However, there ARE many ways of processing these very important aspects of who we are. Therapy is a wonderful and fulfilling way to do just that. I'm glad you're here. I currently maintain an all-virtual private practice and provide therapy to both individuals and couples. I am comfortable with a variety of presenting concerns and have a specialty focus of relational/couples therapy. I have completed Level II training in the Gottman Method for couples therapy, an evidenced-based approach to couples therapy. I'd love to chat with you to learn about what's bringing you to seek therapy and to see if we'd be a good fit. Together, we will create a non-judgemental therapeutic environment with warmth, safety, support, and a sprinkle of humor. My practice is culturally- and trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming and I have been seeing clients for over 7 years.

(Accepting new clients as of 6/1/26) - Classes, roommates, figuring out who you are, what you want to do with your life, and maybe even remembering to eat something green once in a while…it’s a full plate. Therapy doesn’t have to be another heavy thing on your to do list. Think of it as a place to untangle your thoughts, vent without judgment, and actually make sense of what’s going on. Whether you’re anxious, burned out, or just trying to keep your head above syllabus week, we’ll figure it out together, one honest conversation at a time. I’ve been a therapist for almost a decade and a half and worked extensively with teens and young adults. If you’ve navigating depression, anxiety, relationships or identity, let’s talk. My sessions are held via Zoom, so it’s easy to meet weekly from your laptop and start feeling better. Email or text to set up a 30min no-cost consultation call.

I am currently scheduling patients for both in-person (PA/NJ) and telehealth (PA/NJ/MA) appointments. I welcome patients who are looking for medication management, therapy, a second opinion, or any combination of the above. My interests include diagnostic clarification of mood/anxiety/attention disorders, evaluation of young adults who may be seeking help for the first time, and treatment of substance use disorders that often present with other common diagnoses. I offer comprehensive treatment, taking into consideration not only whether a patient has a medical illness, but also discussing lifestyle, substance use, relationships and other factors that could be affecting an individual's mental health. When indicated, I may recommend the use of psychiatric medications in conjunction with therapy.

Hello! My name is Dr. Emily Bernstein. I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist with almost 20 years of experience treating a wide variety of psychiatric illnesses including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, co-occurring substance use and mental health, ADHD and more. I provide both medication management and psychotherapy out of my office in Paoli, PA. I strive to build a trusting relationship with all of my patients and will work with you to build a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with. I am happy to offer both in person and virtual appointments to suit your needs.

Above all, my approach to treatment is compassionate, understanding, and respectful. My goal is to provide a space where you will be heard, understood, and validated while helping you achieve your goals and reach your potential. I believe that every person has the ability find relief form their struggles and live their best life with the right support. My areas of clinical expertise include treatment for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma related issues. Since each person is unique, you can imagine that there are many different ways to successfully address life's challenges. Therefore, I utilize an integrative approach to therapy that revolves entirely around your needs. In your therapy sessions you can expect a highly-personalized treatment approach that is informed by the latest research in the field. I offer complimentary initial consultations. I welcome the opportunity to learn about your current struggles and share how I can be of help to you.

I work with folks 18+ who are struggling with issues around depression, anxiety, and life transitions, including the transitions and challenges related to the global pandemic. Many of the individuals I’ve worked with in the past considered themselves geeky. I also enjoy working with individuals who are exploring issues pertaining to non-monogamy or polyamorous relationships. I see clients in person Monday in my Pittsburgh office, and virtually Tuesday through Friday WA clients: I'm able to accept the following plans: United Atena Cigna Some Regence/Premera/Anthem plans (please inquire for more details) Lyra Spring Health Modern Health PA Clients: I'm able to accept the following plans: Highmark UPMC Cigna United Lyra Spring Health Modern Health

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.

The Renfrew Center, a multi-generational, family-owned eating disorder treatment organization, has been a pioneer since opening the nation's first residential facility in 1985. With 15 locations nationwide and virtual care in 30+ states through Renfrew@Home, we have supported more than 100,000 adolescent girls, women, transgender, and non-binary individuals on the path to recovery. Our evidence-based treatment addresses the full range of eating disorders—anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating—along with co-occurring presentations such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Care is grounded in The Renfrew Center Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders®, part of Oxford University Press’s Treatments That Work series, with outcomes published in peer-reviewed journals. We offer a full continuum of care, from Residential to Day Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient Services, tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

I am a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience providing psychotherapy. Having spent many years working in university settings, I understand the needs and challenges of being a college student and navigating the stresses and demands of student life. I work best with clients who are struggling with anxiety and stress, depression, and family and/or other relationship concerns. I believe that therapy is most effective in the context of a supportive and honest relationship in which we agree to work together to help you: -- Gain a better understanding of your feelings and experiences -- Explore aspects of your life or experience that you may have been avoiding -- Identify patterns in your actions, thoughts, feelings, experiences, and relationships -- Live a more authentic life, i.e., a life that is most consistent with your beliefs, values, and feelings As I listen to your story, I will offer reflections and interpretations with the goal of increasing understanding of your feelings and experiences, both past and present. An honest, unflinching look at our own feelings and experiences helps us make the best decisions possible about our lives. While I believe that understanding oneself is of utmost importance, I also make use of skill-focused approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy to help with the process of behavior change. While engaging in a process of self-reflection can be difficult at times, developing self-awareness helps you gain the skills to live an authentic life. In simple terms, the goal of therapy is to give you the skills to be able to check in with yourself about what you want and need and take the steps to meet those needs while at the same time nurturing and maintaining your relationships and social/vocational commitments.

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.

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!

Helping people feel more connected, alive and easeful in a difficult world is what excites me about the therapeutic process. While living with mental health challenges, it is difficult to know how to get unstuck or even to remember a time when things felt okay. I work collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths and identify goals that align with their values. We all develop strategies for survival that can be limiting over time. We can create more options that go beyond old strategies through practicing new ways of relating, recognizing nervous system patterns and strengthening the mind-body connection. Some of the approaches and techniques I use include parts work, attachment theory, mind-body therapy, guided visualization, somatic and movement based therapy. I am trauma focused and informed with an understanding of how systemic oppression contributes to illness, especially for those whose identities are devalued or erased.

Over the past 30 years I’ve developed a psychotherapeutic approach that integrates psychoanalytic principles with insights of Eastern mindfulness traditions. Having trained, taught, and worked in various college counseling centers in Pittsburgh for many years, I’ve focused my private practice on the mental health concerns of young adults, including struggles with depression, anxiety, gender identity, sexuality, family, relationships, and acculturation.

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.

Reach out if you have experienced a loss or difficult transition if you are struggling to set boundaries or express your needs, if you are struggling with difficult emotions or if you just aren’t feeling like yourself. It is our goal to support you in exploring your experiences, releasing things that you may have been carrying, setting goals you want to achieve, and identifying patterns and beliefs that are creating barriers. Our role as therapists is to provide a safe, judgment-free, and confidential space for you to process vulnerable thoughts and emotions. Our approach is person-centered and focuses on building a supportive relationship while using cognitive behavioral theory as a framework. We specialize in trauma therapy and work with individuals experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Some of the modalities used include EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. Let us help you to know and be present with yourself.

My goal is always to focus on making a client feel comfortable and safe as they work to improve their lives and make positive changes. I work from a Narrative therapy perspective, meaning I like to utilize the power of story with clients. I encourage clients to discover their authentic selves through exploration and honesty, and I strive to be my most authentic self in return. I borrow ideas and techniques from humanist and existentialist practices, prioritizing how an individual feels about themselves outside of societal constraints and structures. I have worked with individuals from all walks of life and value diversity in my personal and professional universe. I prioritize creating a welcoming and safe environment which provides the best circumstances to promote change. Specialties: Neurodiversity LGBTQIA+ Parent/Child conflict Depression/Anxiety Systems induced trauma Substance use disorders

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Calm Pittsburgh is a diverse group practice with locations in Lawrenceville, PA. We are in network with most commercial insurance plans.