Family Systems Therapists in Murrysville, PA

I believe in a strength based, client centered approach. Reaching out for help and support can be difficult. I help to establish a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, providing a safe space to be open and honest in therapy. Self-awareness and self-care are vital to an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. My goal is to foster an individual’s positive growth throughout the therapy process. Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing techniques and solution focused therapy interventions are utilized throughout therapy. Faith-based therapy is provided for anyone who desires this approach.

My focus is to help you identify and develop your individual goals in treatment. I will guide you to achieve those goals and find ways to better understand and overcome your barriers. I take a strength based approach to provide a safe space for you to share your concerns. I have experience working with a wide range of emotional and behavioral disorders including: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, trauma, adjustment disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and family systems.

I am accepting new clients and couples therapy work. I am a authentic person in therapy with you. I am along with you on the path to change. Change is always frightening. Think about if you were not experiencing fear, what would you do? Who would you be if you were not ashamed or afraid or depressed? Be the change you desire in your life! Common Issues addressed in therapy: Creating healthy boundaries with relationships, communication and conflict, healing from painful and abusive relationships, identifying your own sense of self and your emotional needs, depression and anxiety.

When the burdens of life leave us feeling like it is a struggle to breathe as we are slowly sinking in quicksand, it can feel impossible to recognize any other way to live, think, and/or function. As a therapist, I believe that listening is paramount to learning and better understanding an individual so that trust and genuine care remain cornerstones of the therapeutic process. Whether it is intrusive thoughts, external stressors, or anything that causes you to feel unsettled, I want us to collaborate so that you will be empowered to discover your own innate strengths.

I believe in creating a safe environment where individuals are able to learn, grow, and change. I view my clients not only through the framework of their individual concerns but also in the context of greater social influences.

I'm Vania Brister, and I've come to realize that this field found me, shaping my path in ways I couldn't have predicted. From childhood, I embraced my quiet nature, despite enduring teasing and shame for it. But through those experiences, I learned something invaluable: the power of listening. Being a quiet observer taught me that great listening requires silence, and the ability to understand and support others became my superpower. It brought me joy to be a source of support for family, friends, and even strangers. In my practice, I aim to create a safe haven where individuals and families can express themselves freely.

I work with individuals, couples, and families who have experienced trauma as well as concerns related to depression, loss and grief, and anxiety. As a clinician, I hold safety as a non-negotiable imperative for the therapy space to be productive. I also encourage my clients to use the safe therapy space to lean into the discomfort required to make the changes that they wish to see in their lives.

Struggle is something that I believe every single living thing experiences. It is a concept that can bring us into some of our hardest moments in life, but it also presents the opportunity to connect, grow, and learn. I believe that confronting our struggles and working through them is one of the most valuable journeys that life brings. We all struggle in different ways and at different times. As a therapist, I hope to be there with you in whatever your struggle may be. I believe in meeting people where they are at and providing comfort, support, and empowerment. I follow a humanistic approach that caters to each individual's needs.

Anxious? Stressed? How does Christianity intersect with anxiety? I can help you! I have over 20 years of experience working with adults addressing issues related to anxiety, stress, grief and loss, trauma and depression. I have worked in a variety of mental health settings (residential, in-home services, alternative education, partial hospitalization).

Going through life, what we experience is only a small percentage of what is happening to us and a large majority of how we perceive it. If you're experiencing a life transition, anxiety, depression, parenting stressors, relationship concerns, career difficulties or trauma, I can provide therapy to help frame your thought process in a way that leads you to feeling your best. Sometimes all we need is to be validated in our feelings, other times we need challenges to see things a little differently. My goal is to figure out which works best for you so you are not facing these challenges alone.

I specialize in treating people with anxiety disorders. I have worked as a clinician in hospitals, mental health centers and in private practice since 1978. I believe in treating the whole person; body, mind, spirit and emotion. I believe a balance of all four is necessary for health. I believe in and practice both dynamic and cognitive-behavioral interventions as well as mindfulness which emphasizes acceptance, compassion for self and others and meditation. I work diligently in the service of my client's recovery and feel great joy in their success. I treat OCD, trauma and panic disorder.

I believe as human beings we all need to feel a sense of hope and we all deserve support during challenging or stressful times. Selecting a therapist can feel overwhelming when we are struggling or feel lost. My approach is to meet you where you are, work together to determine what best meets your needs, and to collaboratively create a plan that helps you achieve your goals.

I have 10 years of experience specializing in OCD and anxiety spectrum disorders. I began at the UPMC Pediatric OCD Intensive Program, where I served as a group clinician, working with moderate to severe OCD, and as a family therapist. I honed my expertise in Exposure Response Prevention treatment and addressed systemic family dynamics influenced by OCD. Later, I assumed the Director of Education and Development role at The Center for OCD and Anxiety, dedicating 5 years to crafting a comprehensive curriculum for training and onboarding employees, nurturing their confidence and proficiency in OCD treatment.

I believe, the single most important element of counseling is the relationship between the therapist and client. The first step is for us to work together to balance both a professional and heartfelt relationship. You'll find the office welcoming, comfortable, discreet atmosphere; where you can feel safe to discuss your needs. I serve a variety of client populations, including, youth, adolescent, adult and geriatric clients. Couples, Family, Individual and Group Therapy are a focus. Specializations: Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Anger, Parenting and Loss. Referrals for medication management can also be facilitated through my office, if desired..

The decision to seek help from a mental health professional is not an easy one. If you've never been in therapy before, you likely have no idea what to expect, and you may worry that you'll be judged, criticized, or labeled as "crazy." If you have been to therapy before, the thought of "starting all over" with someone new can also be overwhelming, especially if your previous experiences haven't been very helpful. Whether you're a therapy veteran or a newbie, I believe I can help.

As a licensed clinical social worker with more than 40 years experience of working with families and individuals of all ages, I find that the most effective approach is one that is strengths-based with a strong emphasis on helping clients solve the problems that bring them to me for therapy and also on helping them develop powerful resiliency characteristics that allow for future problem-solving, conflict resolution, goal-attainment, wellness, and life satisfaction. My ideal client is one who likes to learn. Trauma survivors, in particular, do well with this approach.

Life is not easy. At Fortress Counseling I provide individual counseling in a supportive, non-judgmental, and confidential environment. I am committed to working with adolescents, adults, and families to assist them during their current life situation. I believe everyone has the power to make positive changes within their life that can enhance their lifestyle, improve their mood, and encourage happiness.

Now accepting new clients! As a therapist I believe all people have the inherent strength to make positive life changes and often just need empowered through compassionate support. We all have times in our lives when we get stuck in our relationships and just need new effective ways of coping and communicating. I practice from a trauma focused and structural family perspective. I have been very successful in helping couples, families, individuals, and adolescents make positive changes that have lead to feelings of peace, healing, a sense of personal accomplishment, and problem resolution.

I am accepting new clients! I accept Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance. I am available for in-person and telehealth. I provide individual, marriage and family counseling. I counsel children, teens, and adults from 5 years old thru retirement. I provide counseling for depression and anxiety; anger and stress management; grief and mourning; interpersonal, family, marriage and relationship difficulties; work and school related stressors and life adjustment challenges such as marriage, parenting and retirement. My goal is for you to improve functioning and feel better.