Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

We are a group practice serving the Pittsburgh community and located in the heart of Shadyside. Our team is diverse by design, bringing a unique collection of cultural and clinical experiences. Following a shared philosophy, each therapist combines evidence-based practices with holistic and mindful approaches to psychotherapy. The result is a carefully tailored plan of treatment for each individual. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, with your partner, or for your family, the Awareness & Wellness Center (AWC) is committed to providing therapy services that support your journey to greater self-awareness and better health.

I am committed to providing a safe, empathic environment. I will meet you right where you are at - accept you for you; no judgement. I believe before we can move forward, we need to become aware of what is going on in the present. I want to help you become mindful of what is affecting your life so you can move forward to live the life you want to live.

As a licensed psychologist, I specialize in delivering empathic, client-centered mental health care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma. As a member of both the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, I bring a unique lived perspective to my work and am deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive, affirming, and evidence-based care that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches in my work, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma. I also integrate cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies to help individuals build effective coping skills, manage distress, and navigate life’s challenges more confidently. Personally, I am a proud pet parent and enjoy spending time with my chosen family and friends. Interests and hobbies include going to concerts, dancing, creative activities, going on adventures, leisure hikes, jigsaw puzzles, and playing board games.

I love working with people of all ages who are seeking to understand themselves and other significant people in their lives! It is my joy to help my clients find peace and make meaning of both the usual challenges in life and the events that threaten to rob us of hope. My work life before becoming a therapist in 1997 included working in child welfare, teaching in China, and volunteering in religious activities. As a therapist my training and experience have been focused on themes of attachment, relationships, grief, loss, trauma, and spirituality. If you are wondering who I am as a person, I am a spouse, mother of four grown children, "Mimi" to five grandchildren, and oldest sibling in a large tribe. When not working I love to read, make quilts, play board games, cook and just spend time with the people I love.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s ups and downs with greater confidence, clarity, and balance. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, everyday stress, motherhood challenges, postpartum transitions, or simply trying to manage the demands of daily life, everyone deserves support and space to slow down and gain a sense of regulation and stability. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, understood, and empowered as you move through life’s challenges at your own pace. Therapy is a personal journey, and finding the right fit matters. If my approach resonates with you, I’d love to connect.

College and graduate school can stretch you academically, mentally, and emotionally. When stress, burnout, or self-doubt start to pile up, that stretch can feel more like a breaking point. I work with students to navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, life transitions, and challenges that can come with disability. I also support people adjusting to new environments, including the shift from rural backgrounds into more urban, academic settings. Together, we’ll look at where you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed and build practical skills to help you clear those hurdles and reconnect with what matters to you. My approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). In practice, this means we’ll use a blend of tools to help you understand your thoughts and reactions, make sense of your experiences, and respond in ways that feel more manageable and effective. I will tailor our work to your personal goals, because your idea of accomplishment is what matters to me. If you’re interested, we can also bring in elements of Geek Therapy® (using movies, games, or other examples of popular culture) to make therapy feel more relatable and engaging. If you’ve been dealing with mental fatigue, cognitive overload, or a life-altering diagnosis, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. We can work together to help you feel more balanced, confident, and prepared for your next chapter, whether that’s graduation or the following academic term. Reaching out can be the most difficult step in this process. Let’s start a conversation and design a treatment plan just for you.

College can be exciting and overwhelming. I work best with students who feel stuck, stressed, or unsure about who they’re becoming. Whether you’re navigating identity shifts, relationship challenges, family pressure, or big decisions, I offer a calm, nonjudgmental space to sort things out. You don’t have to have it all figured out. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, clear, and confident in your next steps.

As a therapist, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other strategies to help clients explore the interactions between their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. My style is collaborative, client-driven, and forward-focused. Additionally, I enjoy looking at the systemic factors in a person's life, including family dynamics, relationships at work or school, and even interactions with friends or partners. My purpose is to help you maximize the opportunities in your life to achieve your goals through empathy and a strength-based focus. I specialize in anger and anxiety management across the life span, especially with teens and adults. I am certified in Thinking for a Change (T4C) and Aggression Replacement Training (ART). Additionally, I have extensive experience working with and advocating for people going through the legal system, including people facing domestic violence charges. I invite you to reach out to schedule a session by contacting our office to see if we would be a good therapeutic fit. I look forward to talking with and meeting you to help you achieve your goals!

Accepting New Clients! Welcome! Thank you for taking this important step! Beginning therapy is an act of courage and self-care, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey. I became a therapist because I believe people have an ability to heal, thrive, and live full, meaningful lives. I specialize in creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative space where you feel respected, heard, and empowered as we work together towards personal growth. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, racing thoughts or trying to cope with a traumatic experience, I’m here to help. In our sessions, we’ll use Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies and Mindfulness to build coping skills, manage emotions, reshape unhelpful thoughts, strengthening your connections to what matters most. Bring your questions, hopes, and concerns—this is your space to explore, heal, and grow. Together we’ll create a plan tailored to your goals and move at a pace that feels right for you! A new way of thinking and living is just a click away. Book with me now by clicking on my website.

If you're feeling unsure about your purpose, weighed down by the pressure to constantly succeed, especially when your peers seem to make it all look easy, and on top of that, wondering if you really matter to your friends, then let's talk! I help college students find their purpose, find balance between performance and fun, and find the people who truly matter to them. Call or send me an email for a free, no-commitment chat to see if we're a good fit!

Embarking on the journey of self-exploration takes courage, strength, and vulnerability. You may be feeling stuck, confused, or misunderstood. Choosing to share your experiences with a therapist can seem daunting and uncomfortable. At this stage, it is important to recognize that you already harbor this strength and courage within you as you begin to seek help. We will work collaboratively to guide you to the life you want to live - while navigating the obstacles that may be in your way to achieving strength, confidence, and empowerment. As an Art Therapist, art-making can help us explore and illustrate your unique story. Engaging in creative expression in therapy can help you make sense of your story, act as an extension of yourself, and aid in expressing unconscious feelings you may not be aware of. No artistic skill is needed to create, as the process alone can aid in healing and growth. I strive to create a safe, open, and creative space that allows you to process your experiences that have been hindering you from becoming your most authentic self. I look forward to connecting with you, and hope to be your guide as you navigate the road through self-exploration, growth, and healing.

You want to be successful and self-assured, but your anxiety or depression has left you struggling with confidence and unsure of who you are. You may even feel confused as to what emotions you are experiencing or why you are feeling this way. This could be affecting your relationships, your work, or other areas of your life, and you're tired of pretending everything is fine when it's not. One thing is for certain: you're ready for relief. You're ready to feel good about yourself, to learn how to navigate these thoughts and feelings. You're ready to feel peace. Clients come to me looking for a therapist who they can genuinely connect with, because therapy should be a place where you feel understood. We will work together to identify new perspectives, increase awareness, and identify methods for you to effectively manage whatever causes you distress. I believe that we all possess the power to make necessary changes to live our most fulfilling lives. It is my goal to provide you with the support and guidance you need to discover the path to wellness that lies within. You don't have to continue managing your anxiety and depression alone. Reach out today for a free consult. I can't wait to hear from you.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 20 years experience in the field. I received my master's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. ​ My approaches to therapy include but are not limited to: -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -Schema Therapy -Interpersonal Therapy EDUCATION University of PIttsburgh, BA, Communications University of PIttsburgh, MA, Social Work SPECIALTIES -Relationships (traditional and non-traditional) -Individual therapy -Physician burnout (with significant experience for resident/fellows and attendings) -LGBTQIA+ with a specialty in sexual/gender identity & transgender transition -Depression -Anxiety disorders -Life transitions -College related stress (including advanced degree students)

Melissa's diverse experience had lead her to focus on the importance of contentedness of relationships in fostering personal and spiritual growth in her clients. At the core, Melissa's goal is to help each person find the freedom that comes with pursuing wellness in every area of life. She strives to help people find a place of well being that goes beyond the sense of disease or illness but to a place of thriving state of health and balance.She has worked at various levels of mental health care including outpatient therapy, inpatient hospitalization, and residential treatment since 2005. In residential treatment, she worked with adolescents with behavioral difficulties and mental illness. While working in a psychiatric hospital, Melissa provided individual support and group therapy for adults, adolescents, children and their families who have struggled with disordered eating. She worked with children and their families who have struggle with anxiety and sleep disturbances in a university research setting. Her understanding of the connection between the mind and body was furthered while working in a medical hospital helping children, adolescents, and young adults with gastrointestinal disorders or sleep problems. These experiences have provided advanced knowledge in treating, not only eating disorders and anxiety but depression, sleep problems, trauma, body image disturbance, life transitions, communication difficulties, self esteem, chronic pain and other medical conditions. ​She has advanced training in non-pharmaceutical interventions, CBT for Insomnia and trauma, EMDR, attachment and dissociation. She enjoys working with transition age and early professionals who experience chronic anxiety and/or depression, complex trauma, and adjustment issues. She lived in Southeast Asia for 6 years and loves working with cultural adjustment issues.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We are Pennsylvania's premier therapy & assessments centers. We’re not simply counselors for your mind. We specialize in a results-based, individualized approach to healing and mental well being. Our clients are people; with their own lives, experiences and lifestyle. At Makin Wellness we treat the person… not the ailment.

You've likely landed on my profile because you're looking for more support and realize that you can't do it alone. Perhaps you've put everyone's needs before yours. Maybe you've told yourself that you can keep putting your feelings to the side. We sometimes believe that we should be able to manage it all and do it on our own. Whether you're struggling with depression or anxiety, family transitions during pregnancy or postpartum, or just trying to have more effective, supportive, and fulfilling relationships, I'm here to help. You don't have to carry it alone anymore. My practice specializes in depression and anxiety. I have a particular interest in working with women during pregnancy and postpartum. I also enjoy helping people have more effective relationships with others, particularly their romantic partners and family. I primarily use dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and CBT to help clients reach their goals.

Dr. Danny Sharara is a board-certified psychologist who helps university students work towards greater meaning and fulfillment in their lives and relationships. His practice focuses on helping clients to better understand themselves in order to effectively pursue their goals and live from their values. Many of Danny’s clients come to his office when they are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, low self-esteem, sleep troubles, procrastination, or when faced with important life decisions. Danny's practice also focuses on addressing grief, loss, and navigating life-transitions. Through warm, collaborative, evidence-based psychotherapy, Danny helps clients draw on their strengths to break out of old patterns, discover new perspectives, and build the lives they want through living from their deep values. Clients have described his approach as supportive, attentive, flexible, and appropriately challenging. Message to clients: Through having served as a Staff Psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University as well as through clinical training at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, Danny has been fortunate to work with students from around the world on a variety of presenting concerns. Danny has facilitated support groups for doctoral students and presented workshops on effective communication with advisors. He has also helped students overcome mental health challenges including procrastination, career-uncertainty, sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, loneliness, and transitioning to life after graduating. Finding the right therapist is important but it can also be overwhelming. Sometimes we know we need help but not what would be helpful, or what the right approach would be. I encourage you to take a chance and reach out to see if we might be a good fit.

I know each individual is universally unique which means our thoughts, feelings and perceptions are also unique. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I use a range of modalities including ACT, DBT, CBT, and Mindfulness as well as approaches catered to meet your individual needs and help support your holistic wellness. I specialize in working with adults who are college- aged who are dealing with a wide range of experiences. I have experience working with adults experiencing addiction issues, mood disorders, behavioral issues, sexual issues and relationship issues. Additionally, I specialize in anxiety and depression and have experience working with folks 17 and over. I have worked in both community mental health and outpatient settings. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and finding the right person to assist on the journey can feel daunting. I provide a welcoming environment, flexible scheduling and access to community resources as needed. If you would like to discuss scheduling I encourage you to reach out and start your journey to healing and wellness.

You didn’t ask for this—whether it’s a major life change, a new mental health diagnosis, or that frustrating sense of being stuck in the same loop over and over. You may be navigating something unfamiliar: a shift in your identity, a change in your relationships, or a diagnosis that’s left you overwhelmed, confused, or doubting yourself. Maybe you’ve noticed patterns that no longer serve you but haven’t been able to break free from them. You want to feel in control again—or maybe for the first time. And while you might hate what you’re feeling right now, some part of you is ready to figure it out. That’s where I come in. Our work together is collaborative. I’ll meet you with curiosity, honesty, and care—helping you connect the dots, challenge stuck narratives, and build something new. We’ll explore how past experiences might be shaping the present, how your diagnosis fits into the bigger picture, and what tools will actually help you feel more like you again. My clients are open to the therapy process, even when it's hard. They want clarity, relief, and a sense of mastery over their mental health—not just symptom relief, but true understanding. If you’re ready to start, reach out. We can talk about where you are, where you want to be, and how we can get there—together.