Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

I have practiced child, adolescent and adult psychiatry in Pittsburgh since 1976. I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1972 and completed specialty training at the University of PIttsburgh School of Medicine/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1976. I am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and bipolar disorders. My approach is to be thorough and to evaluate and treat each individual systematically and carefully. I have extensive experience with difficult to treat psychiatric conditions. I have a full time office manager and a 24 hour per day answering service. I am available for emergencies. Someone will always answer my telephone and all telephone calls are returned. My typical visits are from 20 to 60 minutes depending on the needs of each person.

We all have struggles. Despite our best efforts and intentions, those struggles can leave us feeling overwhelmed and we don't even understand how we got here. I want to help you explore and address your concerns, by encouraging a sense of curiosity and humor, when appropriate. Rather than approach our troubles with trepidation, why not approach them with interest – be curious about ourselves, how we came to be who/how we are, how the things we have tried have worked/not worked or even made things worse and what other options may exist that we have not yet thought of or tried? Learning to be curious about ourselves and the challenges we face, and to find humor and grace along the way, allows us to be less judgmental and feel less ashamed of ourselves and our struggles, so we can build a life we want on more solid ground. I’m a psychologist with 20 years of experience working with college-aged (traditional and non) individuals. I have a very collaborative approach – you are the expert on you. I incorporate a number of therapy approaches, using what I believe will best fit you and the difficulties discussed. I know how difficult it is to seek help and it's my job to make this easier by offering a warm, empathetic and safe place to explore and address your concerns. If you are ready to feel better about yourself and explore how you might meaningfully address the challenges in your life, I am excited to join you in this process!

Trying to find a therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling classes, jobs, friendships, and figuring out your next steps. Who We Work Best With: Students Just Like You The students who thrive most in our practice often share a few things in common. They are typically high-achieving, thoughtful, and determined, but right now, they're feeling overwhelmed and stuck. They are excellent at pushing through difficult situations but realize that the old methods of "just toughing it out" aren't working anymore. You might be a great fit for us if you are experiencing any of the following: The "Burnout Beast": You're running on empty. You feel anxious every Sunday night, your motivation is low, and you constantly feel like you should be doing more, even when you're exhausted. You're ready to stop stressing and start enjoying your college years. The Social Maze: You're struggling to make real connections, dealing with roommate conflicts, or navigating a difficult dating scene. You want your relationships to feel supportive, not draining. The Future Fog: You're feeling pressure about your major, your career path, or even just whether you're where you're "supposed" to be. You need help quieting the noise so you can figure out what you truly want. The New Normal: You're struggling to adjust to a new semester, a move away from home, or even life after graduation. Change is hard, and you need a steady, non-judgmental place to process it. We specialize in working with college and graduate students to manage anxiety, perfectionism, stress, and life transitions. Our goal isn't just to help you survive campus life—it's to help you genuinely thrive. We provide practical strategies, emotional support, and the clarity you need to move forward, all without the confusing jargon.

I work w/ adults 20 y.o. and up. I approach symptoms not as nuisances to be managed or reduced, but rather as signposts to be read. They point us to the deeper, meaningful issues that compel thoughtful reflection both in and outside the consulting room. We can look forward to exploring the patterns/themes that announce themselves in our work together, approaching all that we see w/ the respectful curiosity that sets the conditions for growth. I have experience working with adults struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, traumatic experiences, relationship difficulties, and the universal issue of learning to live in the face of loss. Since 1987 I’ve done psychotherapy in a variety of settings. Early on I worked in community mental health and then a rape crisis center. Later, I was a member of a large group private practice for over 25 years. My clinical orientation is psychodynamic with a strong relational orientation. My continuing education in psychodynamic approaches is ongoing. If you're interested in meeting, we'll first have a brief conversation on the phone so that I'll have a chance to tell you more about how my practice works and you'll have the opportunity to tell me more about your expectations or ask any questions you might have.

Mark Thomas, PhD, DBSM, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist who is passionate about improving patients' sleep. Dr. Thomas earned his doctoral in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his clinical internship at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He received specialized behavioral sleep medicine training and experience during his postdoctoral fellowship at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, where he addressed a wide range of sleep issues in Veterans. He is the founder of Restore Sleep Health, a telehealth private practice offering evidence-based therapy to adults with sleep disorders. Dr. Thomas’ clinical work is focused on the treatment of sleep issues including insomnia, PAP adherence, circadian rhythm disorders, and nightmares.

We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.

Life is full of unexpected ups and downs that we may not always be able to manage alone. In my practice, I specialize in collaborating with clients to navigate difficult life changes with greater peace, clarity, and confidence. I take a highly individualized, holistic, and client-centered approach. During sessions, you can expect to explore underlying beliefs, past experiences, unhelpful patterns, and personal strengths that can all make change possible. Additionally, I enjoy incorporating mindfulness techniques and creative coping skills into our sessions. Through self-exploration and effective strategies, you can develop greater personal power to cope with what life throws at you. I primarily work with individuals facing feelings of anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or challenges from chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders. While bringing a peaceful calmness, I also like to include humor and lightheartedness in sessions. I'm a creative person at heart, who loves cartoons and spending time in nature. If you've been contemplating starting therapy, now is the best time to give it a shot. Talking about mental health can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but the sooner we start, the sooner we can begin the path toward healing. While fear and anxiety around therapy can be overwhelming, you have the strength to work through those feelings and take control of your life. You got this!

I believe in the inherent worth of everyone and that people genuinely do the best they can. We all experience joys and sorrows that can impact our daily functioning. Sometimes these experiences can make us feel "stuck," but we have the power to choose how we respond. Since learning never ends, we will discuss improving your self-awareness and build your "tool box" with strategies to empower you in everyday life. A caring atmosphere will be provided to help you discover your strengths, show yourself compassion, and to find balance in your life. I work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and ages. Together, we'll build a tool box, so that you're better able to deal with situations that may cause discomfort. An eclectic and solution-focused approach to counseling is used. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness approaches are used as well. As we work together, we'll discuss ways to help improve your quality of life. I enjoy helping adults dealing with mental health changes, students with disabilities, individuals struggling with transitional issues (e.g. new diagnoses, elderly parents, veganism), career counseling, grief, pet loss, and how nutrition impacts mental health. If you are interested in learning what openings are available, please call 412-354-0636 Thank you, Megan

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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.

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​​I provide effective help for individuals, couples and families, who are seen by scheduled appointment via secure and confidential telehealth sessions. Issues of concern include mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, communication problems, child/adolescent behavior, bereavement and emotional trauma, among others. I participate with most health insurance plans and many employee assistance programs.

Sometimes change is the only way towards growth Together, we can help you figure out how to move forward in life, embrace transitions, and make more empowering choices. —---- When you’re starting a new school, watching your child grow, or getting used to a new family dynamic… anxiety has a way of getting its hold on you. Without meaning to, you may find yourself spending all of your energy by worrying about, regretting, and resisting change. But worry doesn’t have to get in your way—as long as you can learn to embrace change and growth. I’m 14 years into a rewarding career as a therapist for children and adults. Clients describe my therapy style as warm and approachable. My approach is grounded in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT,) a form of talk therapy that allows us to notice and address unhealthy patterns in your thinking or behavior by focusing on the everyday things that are happening right now. This means that my sessions include plenty of humor, candor, and self-reflection. I particularly enjoy working with families during moments of educational transition—and as a former School Psychologist, I’m experienced with academic reports and have developed strategies for helping students advocate for what they need. The work I do with clients feels very natural and focused for them. At the end of our sessions, I’ll usually ask you to choose something to try before our next session, which keeps the rapport going. (Clients who have spent a lot of time with me find themselves wondering “what Sandi would say?”) It makes me proud to know when my clients internalize what we're working on and use it between sessions, too. Who I Work With At my office in Haverford, Pennsylvania, I see clients of all ages. Adults take respite with me in my warm and modern office space as we work through changes in their lives, families and careers—while kids enjoy learning new skills with me in a friendly environment (which involves playing lots of games!) Through the PSYPACT network, I see adult clients virtually across 40 participating states. This is especially useful because so many of my clients are young adults beginning college, and working professionals who are settling into a new job. My clients include new parents adjusting to raising kids, college students who are adjusting to life on campus, parents who struggle with their newly empty nest, and many others. In short, anyone whose life or family is entering a new phase. Therapy is an increasingly normal thing in our culture. My clients arrive eager to make peace with something new and scary. A few of my clients even come in and out of therapy with me over the course of many years, choosing to lean on my support during key turning points—and to practice what we learned together during the years in between. They’ve heard me say, over and over again, that it may be time to “update your view of yourself.” If you’re looking for a therapist, that’s probably true for you, too. Let’s Get Started The best way to start is by scheduling an appointment with me for us to begin getting to know each other. You’ll need to want therapy in order for it to work—so get in touch when you’re ready to learn how to plant both feet in this new stage of your life.

Welcome to Encourage-ment Counseling for Connection, Healing, and Change At Encourage-ment, we help individuals and couples find hope, strength, and clarity through compassionate, expert care. Our practice specializes in three key areas: couples counseling, gambling addiction recovery, and trauma-informed therapy. Life can present challenges that feel isolating and overwhelming. Whether you're struggling in your relationship, battling the cycle of gambling, or working through the impact of trauma, we’re here to walk with you—at your pace, with respect and empathy. **Our Areas of Focus:** * **Couples Counseling** We support couples facing conflict, communication challenges, trust issues, or emotional disconnection. Our work centers on helping partners rebuild connection, improve understanding, and create stronger, healthier relationships. In addition to resolving immediate relational concerns, we help couples navigate the natural seasons of life—including marriage, career changes, aging, and loss. We also provide support for parenting challenges, helping couples stay united as they raise children, balance responsibilities, and manage stress. Whether you're new in your relationship or decades in, our goal is to help you grow together with resilience and compassion. * **Gambling Addiction Recovery** Gambling struggles can feel hidden and difficult to talk about. We provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore the emotional roots of gambling, develop healthier coping strategies, and rebuild your sense of control. In our work together, we focus on practical tools such as budgeting, financial planning, and managing urges to gamble. Just as important, we support clients in rebuilding trust with loved ones, repairing the emotional and relational damage often caused by gambling behavior. Healing includes both personal accountability and restoring connection—and we’re here to guide you through every step of that process. **Trauma-Informed Therapy** Trauma affects how we feel, think, and relate to others. We offer gentle, focused support using evidence-based approaches—including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)—to help clients process distressing memories and sensations in a way that promotes rapid, lasting relief. ART uses guided imagery and eye movements to shift how trauma is stored in the brain, helping clients feel calmer, more in control, and better able to move forward. At Encourage-ment, we believe real healing begins when you feel seen, heard, and encouraged. Whether you're navigating relationship difficulties, addiction recovery, or the effects of trauma, we’re here to help you move forward—one step at a time.

I have 10+ years of experience in outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient therapy services with adolescents, adults, groups, and couples. This experience enables me to meet you where you are and offer effective individualized care.

I am a Board-Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals address their psychiatric challenges. I utilize a variety of modalities, including but not limited to medication management, to treat anyone who is willing to do the hard work necessary to affect change.

I know firsthand how powerful and healing therapy can be, as well as how frustrating and painful it sometimes is. I believe therapy is a co-created relationship that enables us to reckon with ourselves, therefore making possible the change we want to see in our lives. My style is human — I’m not a neutral observer or blank slate, I am an engaged, deeply caring person. I share what I think honestly and with humility. My therapeutic approach is integrative. I work primarily from a psychodynamic lens, and am internal family systems-informed. Clients have described me as caring, calm, and “bad at having a poker face.” To that end, I share what I think honestly and with humility. In my practice, I work with individuals who have experienced trauma, relationship issues, and want to work through life transitions, and boundary setting. I help my clients develop tools, communicate more effectively, clarify their needs, unlearn old unhelpful beliefs about themselves, and get unstuck from painful patterns. Together we will look at your past to understand what you’re still hanging onto that you’d like to let go of. I can help you understand links between the past and present, while also helping you develop skills for coping and emotional regulation as you engage in therapy.

Deciding to look for help was hard to begin with and finding the right helper seems even more difficult, we know. Whatever issues you are facing, perhaps its depression that is attached to your past, stress related to your present, or anxiety that is attaching itself to your future, we can help you work through it. It’s a privilege for us to be able to share lessons of hope and walk alongside our clients, until they have the breakthrough that they so desperately desire. Our greatest joy is to see you step out from darkness into a brighter, lighter future – stronger, wiser, and hopeful!

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Hi, I’m Pamela Sykes, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I specialize in helping college students who feel overwhelmed by juggling school, work, and personal responsibilities. Many of the students I work with are managing full- or part-time jobs, raising children, or caring for loved ones while trying to focus on their education. If you’re feeling stretched thin, stressed, or unsure how to balance it all, I’m here to help. Together, we’ll create practical strategies to manage stress, build confidence, and find balance in your life. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Let’s work together to help you thrive.