Self-Harming Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

Christy ​graduated from Allegheny College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then went on to complete her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gannon University. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Christy previously worked in the highest level of care in the state for adolescents through the Enhanced Residential Units at Perseus House, in Erie, PA. While here, she has previously worked in school-based outpatient services in Pittsburgh Public School District and West Mifflin Area School District​, through Wesley Family Services and Family Behavioral Resources, respectively.

If you're here, I probably don't need to tell you that the rate of depression in college students continues to rise and college counseling centers can't keep up. You're sad. You're empty. You're filled with doom about the plight of the world and you're not even sure if there's a point in trying anymore. I specialize in working with individuals who are depressed, self-harming or having thoughts of suicide. I'll help you balance your mood, increase your self-worth and improve your relationships so that you can actually enjoy life again rather than trying to escape it.

When you find yourself in a time of crisis and need extra support and guidance, an understanding and compassionate therapist is the best place to start. Are you struggling with sadness or anxiety, family conflicts, unsatisfying relationships, grief or loss, or in the midst of a major life transition? By focusing on strengths and helping people problem-solve or seek change through supportive therapy, many of life's overwhelming stressors become manageable. Call me to discuss how I may assist you or a family member. Free initial phone consultation.

Do you not recognize your teenager anymore? Is your marriage not working out the way you imagined it would? Do you wake up and wonder how your life got to this point? Do you always seem to choose partners that are not good for you? Relationships are both the most difficult and the most rewarding things about being human,and they are HARD! I believe very strongly in the power of relationships to heal as well as hurt. I help people look at the relationships in their lives and figure out how to move forward in a new way.

Is your relationship with food and body image getting in the way of the life you wish to live? Are you overwhelmed by unpleasant thoughts and emotions linked to your appearance, self-esteem, and concerns about food? I have a passion for helping individuals develop a normalized relationship with food, weight, and shape! Together, we can discover and change the barriers to achieving a sense of peace and joy around food and body image.

Individuals are doing the best that they can at any given moment, and they can and want to do better. I offer clients a safe place to explore the issues that brought them to my door in a nonjudgmental environment and to learn how to take care of their emotional health. They will learn how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected, how to manage their emotions, and how to tolerate the distress that life changes bring.

My clients are typically adolescents and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, disordered eating, self-injury, suicidal ideation, substance use, or trauma. I focus on helping my clients identify and achieve their personal goals to improve their daily functioning and overall well-being.

I work with clients between the ages of 13-24, struggling with everything from mild anxiety and depression to disordered eating and self-harm. Some of my clients face pervasive mood and relationship struggles based in trauma and family conflict. My work relies on evidence-based treatments rooted in cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapies including DBT, interpersonal therapy, and family systems. I work well in building a safe and trusting space in therapy, especially for clients who have complex histories.

I utilize eclectic approaches to customize a healing experience for you based on your strengths and growing edges. My practice is founded in a holistic mind-body-soul philosophy of healing and I believe all these components as well as our connections with others, our environment, self, and our Divine are all inextricable linked – in order for deep and lasting healing, all components must be considered and approached with love and grace. I am trauma-competent and I use approaches like EMDR, mindfulness, CBT / DBT skills, somatics, creative expression, movement, and music, to help you find a container of healing that works for you.

I am passionate about helping children, teens, and adults gain practical skills to manage emotions effectively. I believe that building a strong therapeutic relationship is the first step in helping you achieve your goals. My hope is that you will find my warm and personable nature to be a comfort, and my knowledge of the most effective psychological techniques to be useful. When working with children, and often adolescents, I strive to have that working relationship with parents as well so that everyone feels informed, empowered, and at ease in my office. I am able to help with a variety of concerns related to mood or attention.

I enjoy working with various populations including, but not limited to, those struggling with day-to-day stressors, depressive/anxiety related symptoms, interpersonal stressors and trauma. Clients can vary from adolescents to adults in various settings including both individual and family sessions.

I have been most helpful with clients who have clear goals or specific issues they want to address. I can work with you in a brief, specific and time-limited ways to help faciliate problem-solving and behavioral changes as needed. I can also work with you long-term to address chronic or longer standing issues of past trauma, family conflict, or issues with self and identity. Most importantly, I work collaboratively to help you meet your own needs by matching the treatment modality and plan with your stated needs and learning/attachment style. I am direct and honest, but always with permission and gentleness. I respect and value all.

My ideal client is ready to show up for themselves. They have an idea or sense that there are things to work on. Maybe they know what the issues are or maybe they'd like some guidance through that exploration. The first step is seeking connection. A therapeutic relationship can be powerful towards setting and achieving goals! I understand there is a lot of stigma around mental health services. I have both personal and professional experience in this realm. I strive to create an open and safe space for clients regardless of where they are on their journey.

Life can throw all kinds of things at us. Even when we are prepared, it can be helpful to meet with a trained professional to process through the unexpected, difficult situations and the everyday stressors we are experiencing. I am a licensed professional counselor, who has worked, mainly, with adults experiencing a variety of mental health symptoms, dual diagnoses, and those just looking for some guidance with life goals.

Life can leave you feeling stuck or overwhelmed at times. Sometimes one may feel generally dissatisfied with life and wanting more, if any of these are you...you are not alone. Depression, hopelessness, relationship problems, loss, domestic/sexual violence, sexual abuse, and addiction are just a few of the issues that bring people into counseling. Confronting these realities can be a daunting task. Counseling and the therapeutic relationship can help individuals address these adversities, transcend negative emotions and heal. I've learned that a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation to combating negative emotions such as; sadness, guilt, shame, anxiety, hurt, and hopelessness.

"The past affects the present, even without our being aware of it." -Francine Shapiro- Whether we are aware or not, distressing events we have experienced can be negatively affecting our day to day lives. Trauma and stress can leave us feeling alone, broken, on edge, angry, or sad. You have taken the first step towards your growth and healing by exploring therapy.

My therapeutic approach focuses on addressing the ways external factors, namely the client’s environment, experiences, relationships and prior traumas have contributed to their current state. Given the world we live in I bring considerable attention to the ways that systems of oppression play a role in the client’s wellbeing. I believe that having an understanding of how these factors are impacting our mental health is integral to healing. As we work on building this awareness we can start making intentional choices more in line with the lives we would like to be living.

Being a human is hard. Some of the things that make it harder are big life transitions, unexpected or chronic illness, loss of a loved one, experiencing abuse or neglect, past or present trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. At Lucent Counseling, we find it a privilege to help you process and integrate these experiences so that you can heal and move through the difficult times in your life. Our Master's level therapists have excellent training and draw from an eclectic variety of techniques. Our interventions are guided by the therapeutic relationship, and are individually curated to help you move toward your goals.

Life can be full of surprises, not all of them happy. There may be times when, quite out of the blue, you feel anxious, depressed, or just plain stuck. Even in the midst of personal, financial and professional success, you might still find you are struggling emotionally, interiorly questioning, wondering whether all the energy and time you have put into your life is really paying off. Often, you may not know what exactly is troubling you and yet feel quite certain that something is not quite right inside. When it feels this way, therapy can help.