University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hea Therapists in Shadyside, PA

Do you feel like you are going through life’s struggles alone, unsupported and with no direction? Balancing the demands of life, work or school in today's fast paced and changing world can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, lonely or even angry. As children we sometimes develop behavioral strategies to face life's challenges or trauma's that as adults, simply no longer fit with how we imagine or intend ourselves to be. Understanding the nature and origin of destructive patterns and their consequences, addressing current challenges and long standing issues, gaining insight and learning the skills necessary for change is what successful therapy is about.

At this time, and throughout 2021, I am not able to accept new clients. At times, people need a safe and supportive environment to express their thoughts and feelings. Counseling is an opportunity for people to gain: awareness, acceptance, insight, and identify tools for relaxation and problem-solving. Counseling is a therapeutic relationship wherein your voice is heard.

Therapists at Alliance Therapy Center have immediate openings for clients, now including children ages 3 and up! Click our website link to request an appointment. We look forward to working with you!

I help clients learn to listen to and hear themselves; my interest is in helping you to develop the confidence to recognize and honor your own wisdom and thereby make more effective choices in your life. My clinical experiences have afforded me the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, including but not limited to those with major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bi-polar disorder, and grief. If you are interested in gaining insight into your problems and concerns in order to make changes in your life, then our work together will be rewarding for you.

The funny thing about life's hurts, they generally do not just get better on their own. Running from a problem is a race we will never win. My goal is to create a warm safe and relaxed place for you to explore, to discuss, to learn and maybe laugh. The outcome is for you to feel empowered in your life and to have HOPE. Changing or healing often require learning new skills so my approach is as much about coaching as it is about counseling. My primary counseling modes are Cognitive Dissonance and Reframing and REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy). Together we create the tools for HOPE that are custom made for you.

Barbara is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in Mental Health Counseling. Barbara received her Master's Degree from Slippery Rock University in Psychology. Her counseling approach is eclectic in nature and adjusted to meet the existing needs of the client in relationship to their own individual developmental needs.

My focus includes trauma-informed therapy with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals. I primarily work with adolescents and young adults. I utilize evidence-based, affirming practices to support my clients in processing trauma, regulating mood instability, improving relationships, coping with life transitions, and building confidence in themselves.

Within our lives the one constant that prevails overtime is change. As humans, we often can be creatures of habit and life changes can be significantly difficult at times for us to manage. The fear attached to changes within our mental health, medical health, interpersonal relationships, identity, job status, etc. can feel very overwhelming. However, within our sessions I hope to provide you with a safe and supportive space to unpack these concerns and allow you to learn various skills to empower you to feel fully capable of addressing these life changes.

Change is an inevitable part of life that can sometimes be scary, anxiety inducing, and difficult to cope with. Because change is often fraught with unknowns, I believe a strong therapeutic relationship – one that is built on trust, empathy, compassion, and non-judgement – is essential to the healing process. My focuses include working with adults of all ages to address a variety of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, and grief and loss. I also have experience working with individuals diagnosed with chronic or terminal illnesses, as well as their family members and caregivers.

I believe that therapy should feel like a conversation between two people, without a power imbalance or fears of being judged. I am a licensed professional counselor, but first and foremost, I’m a human being like you. If you choose to work together, I promise to be genuine, compassionate, and real. I specialize in treating adolescents through young adults, and I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, suicidality and self-injury, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Whatever you're seeking, be it treatment for depression or anxiety, or be it deeper insight into yourself, my goal as a therapist is to help you through that process and guide you along the way, as a trusted companion would.

Everyone has their capacity for happiness and I want to help you find it. Happiness comes from creating connection to ourselves, our environments, our purpose, and others. I help adults looking for assistance in improving their lives and breaking through old patterns of behaviors. I help those looking for direction, purpose, and answers to questions about their experiences. People ask themselves why they keep having the same things happen over and over in their life, I can help figure out those patterns and help to eliminate them so that you can move forward.

I am most drawn to supporting individuals interested in empathically instilling acceptance for themselves and the way they have learned to survive within their environment. I work best with teens and young adults who tend to over-think and want to lean to befriend their feelings. If you find yourself struggling with transitions, managing emotions or trusting yourself and others, I would be honored to support you in discovering ways to reduce tension and increase understanding around what your “symptoms” are trying to tell you.

I believe meaningful change occurs when people are given the space and support to consider new ways of relating to themselves and their experiences. As a licensed clinical psychologist, my goal is to offer that space and support so that the process of psychotherapy can be as useful to you as possible.

Recovering from an eating disorder and/or severe trauma can frequently be difficult. My broad training and extensive experience enables me to work with patients in a variety of ways including traditional therapeutic approaches, the incorporation of art therapy as a component of treatment, and the use of EMDR. I work with each individual patient to determine the type of approach that best matches her personality and therapeutic needs. I have been one of the first psychotherapists to make use of expressive arts and EMDR in the treatment of eating disorders.

My ideal clients have issues with anxiety, depression, addiction and grief. Those who have little to no family support or friend network to rely on during difficult times. I work with people who struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse and repeated relapse. I also specialize in Adult Children of Alcoholism or Dysfunctional Homes. Many of my clients need help making life decisions especially between the ages of 16-26. Also those who are in transition either from divorce, from college to the workplace and single parents. Most everyone needs to know if they are going to be okay and if they are, how will they be okay.

I provide counseling for individuals or couples seeking to address concerns related to anxiety, sexual health, parenting, and/or relationships. I offer a comfortable and relaxed approach in sessions to facilitate honest interaction with my clients. The therapy I provide is evidence-based, relational, sex-positive, and humanistic in nature.

** Currently not accepting new clients. ** I believe you can promote wellness in your life. I have deep respect for the client's I work with and believe choosing therapy is a healthy act of growth. My style is to create a collaborative, respectful, and compassionate relationship in which we explore both your challenges and your strengths. I emphasize a whole-person integrative treatment plan utilizing evidence-based interventions and complimentary approaches as appropriate.

Disappointment, stress, and trauma can make us forget who we really are: inherently good beings, capable of giving and receiving love in a balanced, healthy way. I can help you to remember, by providing a safe, warm, and welcoming space where you can share your experiences. We'll explore your story together and, along the way, take a look at your strengths, your potential, and what stands between you and strong, healthy connections with yourself and others. I have a deep understanding of how essential - and fragile - trust can be.