Family Therapy in State College, PA

Accepting new clients! The world is just... really hard right now. It's difficult to imagine how therapy would even help when the world is on fire. You constantly feel "other", in so many ways, which makes maintaining social and romantic relationships nearly impossible. You know you have a long list of things to process, but have never felt like you've had a truly safe, nonjudgmental space to do that. In order to heal, you know on a visceral level that you need to feel fully accepted, not just tolerated. You are starting to drown from the overwhelming stress, anxiety, neurodiversity, perfectionism, low self-worth, and isolation.

I’m Anita, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (in PA, MD and WV) dedicated to helping adults of all ages navigate life’s challenges. Everyone has a story, and the difficult parts are often hidden away or overlooked. In my practice, I provide a safe and inclusive space where we can explore your history, values, and aspirations without fear of judgment. Together, we will work to gain a deeper understanding of yourself to help you feel grounded, empowered, and in control.

Someone inspiring once said, “You are enough just as you are. Each emotion you feel, everything in your life, everything you do or do not do, where you are and who you are right now, is enough. It is perfect.” And I fully believe this to be true. Where you are right now may be challenging, how you feel right now may not be pleasant and what you’re doing right now might not be working. And that is okay - I'm here to help! Are you a parent-to-be struggling with anxiety/worry and boundaries as you approach this new life transition? Are you a new parent and don't understand your emotions or feel like you're drowning in life?

Greetings, my name is Julie Lynch. I specialize in Christian Counseling. My desire is to help people just like you heal for the purpose of living your best life here on Earth! I have learned how important it is to rely on God for guidance, thereby diving further into the matters of the heart. Through customized activities, prayer, and numerous techniques, I will help you identify patterns that have become unhealthy, giving you the tools to help create a new vision for living your best life.

Currently accepting new clients! You don't remember a time when you didn't feel "other". You have spent a lifetime navigating a world that doesn't seem to have a place for you, and it has made it immensely difficult to show up as your authentic self. You've never had a safe space to explore your identity in a way that allows you to bring ALL of your "stuff" to the table. Constantly analyzing your physical and emotional safety to do so has made it too exhausting to get to that next level even when you're finally able to determine it's safe. I want you to bring ALL of you in here. I want THIS to be that space for you, finally.

I work with individuals who are navigating difficult seasons of life, seeking support in processing painful events and challenges and in finding the best next steps to take. I assist clients with adjustment to stressors and life transitions, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, grief and loss, self-criticism, shame and self-doubt. My greatest passion in this work is helping clients to identify their strengths, recognize their own worth and develop a stronger and more compassionate sense of self. In doing this, it becomes easier for clients to process pain, learn new skills and pursue their goals.

Accepting new clients! You often feel like you are navigating a world that was not meant for you. You have spent years trying to find "your place" in the chaos but continue to struggle with where that is and how to even begin exploring that in a way that feels safe and supportive. Honestly, you have a hard time envisioning what it would even feel like to have found "your place". You often feel "other" and "on the outside", which makes social and romantic relationships difficult and only exacerbates the feelings and experiences you already struggle with on a daily basis. Anxiety, grief and loss, depression, neurodiversity, stress...

Accepting new clients! Most days, you feel like you don't have anyone on your side, and often struggle with trust. In order to be able to dive into your list of "things" and really open up, finally, you know you'll need to feel truly accepted and respected. You are starting to drown in the anxiety, stress, conflict, and depression that is swirling around you, and it's just... time. You're mostly open to the idea of therapy, but you need a balance of processing AND skills that you can apply in your day-to-day life. Sometimes, even thinking about the process of looking for a therapist is enough to exhaust you and then paralyze you.

Accepting new clients! Let's be real, change and life transitions can be terrifying. Especially if they come about suddenly or unwillingly. Struggling with relentless panic, racing anxious thoughts, or paralyzing fear can impact your ability to show up in your life even in the most basic way. Whether your obsessions deal with contamination, checking, intrusive thoughts of harm, moral/religious scrupulosity, or anything else, OCD can often leave a person feeling isolated, trapped, and sometimes terrified of themselves. It can be incredibly overwhelming trying to navigate this all alone.

Now accepting new clients! As a person-centered therapist, I believe there is potential to help anyone interested in working with me regardless of their reasons for coming to therapy. That being said, I enjoy working with folks who struggle with anxiety, gender and sexual identities, neurodivergence, self-concept or self-worth, complex and religious trauma, relationship issues, and grief. I am an LGBTQIA+ and relationship-affirming therapist and I'm very passionate about working with people in marginalized groups. I believe that everyone needs a therapist who can listen with compassion and understanding.

Open Space CCW is a LGBTQIA+ competent, relationship minority affirming, and social justice-oriented practice. Our goal is to eliminate fear of judgement as a barrier to personal growth and wellness. We help people move from merely surviving their lives—to truly thriving. FINALLY. We want people to walk in and feel—in their gut—genuinely welcomed with open arms and open minds. We want people to finally LET GO of the things that have been weighing them down—unabashedly and without hesitation. Our clinicians show up authentically, so that you feel like you can, too. NOTHING is off limits around here. We are holding this space for you.

You just want to know that you can walk into a room and don't have to play the "pronoun game", pretend you only have one partner, or have to listen to someone minimize your relationship, sexuality, or gender dysphoria. I am here, above all, to be your biggest advocate. I aim to create a radically accepting space to confront, question, and explore what makes you who you are. I’m not afraid to talk about the hard things. Sex, intimacy, relationships, trauma… This is your space to let it all out. Everyone is welcome here. Judgement isn't tolerated. Arriving with your real, raw, and heavy baggage is celebrated.

You may be someone who's grappling with the weight of anxiety, dealing with the complexities of ADHD, or mourning a profound loss. Your unique struggles require a therapist who genuinely comprehends your experiences and is committed to guiding you toward emotional healing. Your aspiration is to uncover strategies that enhance your quality of life and bring you lasting contentment. Let's collaborate to realize the positive changes you are looking for.

Accepting new clients! Your neurodivergence makes you feel "other" and "on the outside" in a world that is set up for neutrotypicals. The consistent pressure to function as if your brain is not different makes day-to-day life so exhausting you could burst. You are starting to come to terms with the fact that your intrusive thoughts and compulsions may actually be OCD, but you have no idea where to start with something that feels so big. You are tired of pretending that your partners aren't your partners when discussing... well, everything. You want to discuss the complexities and nuances of your relationships. ALL of them.

To live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering (Neitzsche).  We would never be able to experience our joy had we not of grown through our pain. GROWTH is the key component of findings ones true self.  Be it feelings of anxiety, depression, or symptoms of PTSD, you CAN and WILL grow to be a better version of you when you take this journey of wellness. Exploration of ones self and mental toughness are key components to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Sometimes our past experiences, generational patterns, or our current thought patterns prohibit us from achieving greatness. YOU can be the hero of YOUR story!

Between what society and those around you say, you constantly feel like you are not enough. You are feeling lost in the world and so badly want to feel grounded for once, but have no idea where to start or where it's even safe to begin navigating that. What you are experiencing is so multi-layered that it leaves you feeling stuck. My passion is helping other people to truly find themselves by unraveling layers of trauma, societal expectations, and negativity imposed by others. I want to help you figure out how to be truly, wholly yourself and live a life that encompasses your values and beliefs.

I enjoy helping anxious, sad, or stuck clients develop tools to face life's challenges. I practice trauma-informed care and utilize models like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to maximize the productivity of sessions. I have extensive experience with patients in crisis and aim to empower clients with preventative tools. I strive to make each client feel comfortable so they can get the help they deserve to live their best life.

Welcome! I’m glad you’re here. I am a licensed therapist with over a decade of clinical experience working with adults from a myriad of backgrounds. I offer a collaborative approach to therapy with warmth, authenticity, and empathy. My primary areas of focus include anxiety, ADHD, depression, disordered eating, career concerns, parental stress, women’s issues, life transitions, and relationship issues. I pride myself on consistent education and self reflection in cultural competency to ensure I am able to justly provide services to all communities.

Currently accepting new clients! You are feeling misunderstood and overwhelmed. You feel "other". And our current social and political climate is exacerbating it. You feel like no one gets it. You have such a hard time trusting people, so the idea of taking the first step to start therapy is terrifying. You don't feel like yourself anymore, and sometimes you wonder what that even means. You feel shame. You feel like you simply "don't have time for therapy", but also know you can't continue like you have been. You want to feel more grounded, balanced, and resilient. But you have no idea how to get there.