Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

Open Space Counseling, Consulting & Wellness is a LGBTQIA+, racial and relationship minority affirming practice. Our mission is to eliminate fear of judgement as a barrier to personal growth. You’re likely here because your life isn’t quite where you’d like it to be. You’re struggling with relationships, or finding yourself reliving old patterns that are causing you pain. You’re sick of feeling so isolated, depressed, disconnected, and frustrated when everyone else on Instagram seems so much happier and more successful. Maybe you’ve been trying to solve these problems on your own for a long time, yet still feeling stuck in the same old rut. You might be contemplating a big transition. You might really need space to talk through all the jumbled up thoughts and feelings inside. Maybe it'd be helpful to share the self-critical thoughts ("I am broken;" "I'm a failure;" "I have nothing to offer;" "I can't change;" "If I make changes, everyone will hate me"), so that we can look at them together, and notice that they aren't you. I am experienced in providing supportive counseling to folks across the lifespan, in and around the gender binary, and at all stages of “acuity.” In light of my experience, I am a staunch believer in the philosophy that all people have the resources inside themselves to make changes toward becoming ever more healthy, connected, and complex. The focus of my approach is self-acceptance. This means that I'm not going to push you to talk about things you're not ready to talk about yet, or offer much in the way of advice or homework. Instead, we'll make space for you to examine your process toward making the changes you want for your life. I am a gender affirming therapist specializing in trans and nonbinary wellness. Since 2013, I have co-authored several letters of recommendation for medical gender confirmation, and am familiar with that process. I also know that many people aren’t seeking physical changes as a part of their journey. In 2021, I obtained WPATH certification, which rewards those committed to staying on top of both the current evidence and consensus in the field through continuing education. It is the gold standard of trans-specific healthcare certification.

Yihhsing Liu (中文: 劉懿馨; Pronouns: she/her/hers), Ph.D., LPC., NCC My clinical practice is informed by principles of humanistic psychology with the following focuses: psychodynamics, cultural relational theory, and trauma-focused framework. I believe in the power of therapeutic discourses that facilitate clients to discover unspoken thoughts and emotions related to their issues. I help clients to make meaningful connections and integrate thoughts, feelings, and actions given a situated culture and context. Additionally, I help clients explore meanings and patterns from a variety of roles they may identify with while developing creative mechanisms to respond to contextual and systematic stressors. My overarching treatment direction is to promote insight and adaptability for clients in each unique healing journey. I have practiced psychotherapy and clinical mental health counseling in various types of treatment facilities in the United States since 2010. I offered individual as well as group counseling in the areas of mood disturbances, maladaptive behaviors, crisis & trauma, relationship issues, identity issues, and substance abuse. I practiced psychiatric nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Registered Professional Nurse (RPN) in both child & adolescent and adult in-patient units at the designated psychiatric treatment center in the city of Taipei, aka Taipei City Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Taiwan from 1999 to 2004. Additionally, I served as a clinical faculty in the program of Counselor Education at Duquesne University (2015-2024). I provided teaching, training, and clinical supervision for counselors-in-training and supervisors-in-training on a regular basis throughout my academic appointments. I offer services for a variety of mental health issues from short term, brief interventions to long term psychotherapy. I am a native speaker of Mandarin and offer bilingual mental health counseling.

I offer individual therapy on issues including anxiety, depression, identity exploration, self-esteem, relationships, and life transitions. I am also proficient in Spanish. My practice provides a non-judgmental, compassionate environment where you will be not just listened to, but truly heard. I approach therapy through feminist, strength-based, client-centered, and relational frameworks to empower you on your path forward. At its core, this means that nothing happens in a vacuum, our lives are impacted by our history, environments, systems of oppression, relationships, and our own identities. My goal is to create a collaborative space where you can connect more fully with yourself and gain the insight and tools to overcome challenges and live your most authentic, fulfilling life.

Create the life you want — with the support of Calm Pittsburgh. Our therapists employ a variety of eclectic, evidence-based techniques to help our clients navigate feelings, relate to thoughts differently, and build better behaviors. Our techniques include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-focused Brief Therapy, Compassion-focused, Family/Marital, Interpersonal, Mindfulness, Narrative, Person-centered, Positive Psychology, Reality Therapy, Strength-based Brief Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Trauma-focused Therapy. Sessions at Calm Pittsburgh typically last one hour — the frequency of which can be scheduled as needed.

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.

Open Space Counseling, Consulting & Wellness was founded in 2018 to create a safe, inclusive, and progressive space where people can move from merely surviving their lives to truly thriving. Our vision is to create a warm space that is inviting anyone who feels “other” or believes that their “stuff” will be judged—for both our clients and our employees. This includes concerns related to addiction, trauma, and LGBTQIA+, among many other things. We strive to create a laid-back, family-like atmosphere among our staff, and we believe that happy employees play a large role in ensuring that we have happy clients. Open Space CCW is a LGBTQIA+ affirming, relationship minority affirming, and racial justice-oriented therapy group.

As a counselor, I utilize both relational and body-mind approaches. One of my preferred modalities is Somatic Experiencing, which is a therapeutic approach used to address trauma-related stress responses. I enjoy working with adult clients of all ages, backgrounds, and therapeutic goals. I have a particular interest in working with clients looking to resolve trauma, address relational or attachment issues, and to explore content around identity and sexuality. I come from a social justice and queer background. I work to provide competent and accessible services to people experiencing oppression, and likewise seek to support folks in decolonization work.

I am an LGBTQ-competent therapist working with adolescents (16+), college students, and young adults who experience stress and worry, feel down or hopeless, who struggle to focus in school or employment, and/or who are exploring their gender and sexual identities. I empower my patients to identify their own goals and intentions in therapy that support their values. Some examples include: improving ability to cope with anxiety; learning to set and communicate boundaries; managing difficult emotions; and creating structure and habits that optimize success in school or employment. I use evidenced-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-informed skills, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions. I will invite your feedback on which interventions you find most helpful and adapt sessions accordingly. Engaging in therapy, especially as a young person, takes great bravery and vulnerability. I hope to provide a welcoming and calming environment to support you through meeting your goals. I see patients virtually and in person.

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.

Need support through life’s challenges? I will help you work through a range of issues, whether that’s depression, anxiety, or any other life transition issue. In each step of your journey, I will encourage self-empowerment and positive growth. I will also work with you to identify the areas of your life that may no longer serve you. I use an integrated psychotherapy method grounded in existential, phenomenological, interpersonal, and gestalt approaches. What this means is that I will tailor your treatment to incorporate your worldview, values, and creativity, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. I also incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to ensure that we manage acute suffering along the way. If you’ve ever felt different or marginalized, I am committed to providing you a space that is welcoming and inclusive. I am accepting new clients and can work with you either in-person or virtually. I look forward to hearing from you!

Our practice provides psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A psychoanalytic approach to treatment offers a comprehensive and nuanced framework for addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, identity struggles, self-esteem, and a sense of self. If advisable, we can also provide careful expert medication management that is informed by our therapeutic work together. Our approach facilitates an environment where people are able to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and wishes in a setting that is inherently collaborative, caring, and non-judgemental. A strong therapeutic relationship is the most powerful means of treatment and developing this alliance is an essential priority for me.

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.

With over a decade of experience, Emerson specializes in helping college students navigate the unique challenges of young adulthood. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, self-esteem, academic stress, relationship conflicts, substance use, or grief, Emerson provides a supportive space to work through it. He focuses on identifying and challenging negative self-talk while fostering self-compassion, self-love, and personal growth. Understanding that meaningful connections enhance the therapeutic experience, Emerson prioritizes building strong, authentic relationships with his clients. He takes a Solution-Focused approach, integrating CBT and Positive Psychology techniques, and is also certified in Brainspotting and Motivational Interviewing for specialized care. Emerson has dedicated much of his career to supporting young adults through transitional periods, helping them develop the confidence and resilience needed to thrive in college and beyond. As an old Greek proverb says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Emerson embraces this wisdom, committing himself to helping students build a foundation for a successful future.

Do you feel your life is lacking meaning and fulfillment? Are you feeling unmotivated and low energy, making it difficult to get what you want out of your life? Do you often feel anxious and distracted? These symptoms are common and natural to feel in the fast paced and productivity-driven world that we live in, but this does not have to be our reality. In gaining awareness into our automatic behaviors and thoughts, taking on different perspectives, and some coping skills, we can take back control of our lives. I'm Josh (he/him), and I bring a wide range of skills to the therapeutic relationship. Ranging from non-directive Existential Therapy, to skills based Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, I am equipped to help you identify where you can make changes in your life. My therapeutic style prioritizes a relational and conversational approach. My therapy personality is described as laid back, accepting, and collaborative. I value working alongside you to discover underlying patterns that may be preventing you from living a more fulfilled life. As the client, I trust you to guide me in where you want to go, identifying the parts of your experience that you are wanting to change.

I like to work with children, teens, and young adults with mental and behavioral health disorders after being emersed in the public school system for the past decade. Building a rapport and seeing my patients' confidence grow as their condition improves is my 'why'. Helping children and young adults learn how to recognize, manage, and cope with their symptoms as they progress into adulthood to live a peaceful, meaningful life is my goal.

Hi, I'm Sandy, Licensed Professional Counselor at Bridge to Well-Being Counseling Center here in Pittsburgh. My ideal clients are adolescents and young adults who are seeking a positive change in their lives. My specialties include anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and life transitions/challenges. I am also experienced in substance use counseling and utilize EMDR to manage trauma symptoms. I consider myself a guest on your journey to strength and wellness, and I look forward to working together to meet your goals. Flexible daytime, evening, and weekend sessions are available.

I work toward internal and external hope, while also acknowledging the difficult realities and stressors that uniquely affect individuals and relationships. I use art therapy, client-centered, cognitive behavioral, and trauma-informed approaches to therapy recognizing that healing and wholeness come as part of a process. In addition to talk therapy, I am a professional Art Therapist. Art therapy can help hold difficult feelings and experiences for all ages while also creating a safe space for non-verbal and verbal expression. No "artistic skill" is needed and life isn't always pretty, so that is not the goal with the art either. My clinical work has focused on treating trauma and various mental health disorders in children and adults. I have provided art therapy and counseling programming in a women’s shelter for domestic violence, Pittsburgh Public schools K-12, and a therapeutic classroom environment. I now work with adults and children in a private group practice setting. I am currently accepting new clients! Feel free to email me with any questions.

I am a Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst with many years of experience working with undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. I worked for many years at Carnegie Mellon Counseling Center before transitioning to full time in my private practice 15 years ago. I work with a wide range of difficulties including stress, anxiety, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, difficulties with academics or relationships, family difficulties, homesickness, procrastination, concentration or motivation difficulties, uncertainty about life direction. I help students in both practical and deeper ways. I work well with students who want to understand themselves and their symptoms, and are open to exploring how and why their difficulties have come about in addition to developing better coping mechanisms. I often see students who have seen other therapists and have not felt a good connection or felt the therapy was not helpful. I am warm, empathetic and good at engaging adolescents and young adults. I offer practical techniques to address symptoms such as mindfulness, meditation and relaxation strategies if desired. In addition, I engage students in looking deeper for more lasting change. I see people virtually and have some in person slots at my office in Squirrel Hill.

Hi! I’m Tori I’ve been working in the mental health field for 10 years, gaining experience in a variety of settings, and I’ve found my passion in helping adolescents, young adults, and adults navigate the ups and downs of life. This time in life is full of growth, change, and self-discovery—exciting, but also intimidating. I love supporting my clients through managing anxiety, depression, stress, and interpersonal challenges, and helping them build the skills to thrive. I take a laid-back approach to therapy, aiming to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. Humor is a big part of my style—life is tough enough, so I believe therapy should have some light moments. That said, I know when to be serious, and I’ll be right there with you as we work through whatever’s on your mind. I’m here for people from all walks of life, and I’m a strong ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. My approach combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you develop practical tools for managing emotions, improving relationships, and making real, lasting changes in your life. In our work together, you’ll gain valuable insight into your thought patterns, learn skills to cope with stress, and build the resilience to live more authentically and mindfully. Outside of therapy, you’ll probably find me spending time with loved ones, catching concerts, watching horror movies, or taking walks. I’d be honored to walk alongside you on your journey to greater well-being. Reach out if you’d like to learn more or get started!

I help my clients get results fast. Therapy isn't a complicated process. We meet, we talk about the expectations of therapy, identify specific treatment goals and map out a plan. Our work takes place in the boundaries of a safe, corrective emotional relationship. I put patients’ feelings into words, focus on symptom management and reduce their impact on personal and professional lives. I've been practicing as a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker for over 15 years. I use a CBT/ Solution Focused approach in helping patients reduce anxiety and elevate and stabilize depressed mood. I help people move toward wellness in a safe, non-judgemental space. Therapy works. It is about growth and evolution, and I've observed that there is great joy in embracing positive new behaviors based on this collaborative approach. I look forward to working with you via telehealth or in-person in our Squirrel Hill office.