Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

We are a group practice serving the Pittsburgh community and located in the heart of Shadyside. Our team is diverse by design, bringing a unique collection of cultural and clinical experiences. Following a shared philosophy, each therapist combines evidence-based practices with holistic and mindful approaches to psychotherapy. The result is a carefully tailored plan of treatment for each individual. Whether you’re reaching out for yourself, with your partner, or for your family, the Awareness & Wellness Center (AWC) is committed to providing therapy services that support your journey to greater self-awareness and better health.

Figuring out who we are, what we want, and where we’re headed in life isn’t easy. It can feel like everyone else has it figured out while we’re stuck doubting ourselves, comparing ourselves to others, or struggling to make decisions. The confusion, loneliness, and stress can be overwhelming—and avoidance or procrastination only makes it harder. You’re not alone. Everyone needs support and guidance during big life transitions. I help teens and young adults build confidence, develop practical skills, and gain new perspectives. Together, we’ll explore how your unique mind and body work so you can better understand your experiences, reduce stress, and find more joy. My goal is to cultivate self-awareness while helping you feel truly seen, heard, and understood. Clients describe me as kind, warm, and welcoming. If you’re looking for more balance, confidence, and direction, I’d be honored to support you in navigating the world with greater ease. Reach out to see if I might be a good fit for you.

I love working with people of all ages who are seeking to understand themselves and other significant people in their lives! It is my joy to help my clients find peace and make meaning of both the usual challenges in life and the events that threaten to rob us of hope. My work life before becoming a therapist in 1997 included working in child welfare, teaching in China, and volunteering in religious activities. As a therapist my training and experience have been focused on themes of attachment, relationships, grief, loss, trauma, and spirituality. If you are wondering who I am as a person, I am a spouse, mother of four grown children, "Mimi" to five grandchildren, and oldest sibling in a large tribe. When not working I love to read, make quilts, play board games, cook and just spend time with the people I love.

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Dr. Danny Sharara is a board-certified psychologist who helps university students work towards greater meaning and fulfillment in their lives and relationships. His practice focuses on helping clients to better understand themselves in order to effectively pursue their goals and live from their values. Many of Danny’s clients come to his office when they are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, low self-esteem, sleep troubles, procrastination, or when faced with important life decisions. Danny's practice also focuses on addressing grief, loss, and navigating life-transitions. Through warm, collaborative, evidence-based psychotherapy, Danny helps clients draw on their strengths to break out of old patterns, discover new perspectives, and build the lives they want through living from their deep values. Clients have described his approach as supportive, attentive, flexible, and appropriately challenging. Message to clients: Through having served as a Staff Psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University as well as through clinical training at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, Danny has been fortunate to work with students from around the world on a variety of presenting concerns. Danny has facilitated support groups for doctoral students and presented workshops on effective communication with advisors. He has also helped students overcome mental health challenges including procrastination, career-uncertainty, sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, loneliness, and transitioning to life after graduating. Finding the right therapist is important but it can also be overwhelming. Sometimes we know we need help but not what would be helpful, or what the right approach would be. I encourage you to take a chance and reach out to see if we might be a good fit.

Our minds are powerful—they can pull us into the past or push us into the future, making it hard to stay grounded in the present. When this happens, we can feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional pain, often losing touch with our sense of identity, purpose, and what matters most. This can be especially true during times of transition, like college or early adulthood, when you may be navigating academic pressure, relationships, career uncertainty, or figuring out who you are and where you’re headed. As a therapist, I work collaboratively with you to identify what’s keeping you stuck and help you reconnect with your life in a meaningful way. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, build on your existing strengths, and develop practical tools to support lasting change. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can gain clarity, find relief, and grow. I specialize in addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD, and I welcome anyone navigating life’s challenges—especially young adults looking for direction, balance, and support.

As a first-generation college graduate, I understand firsthand the complexities, challenges, and insecurities that can come with navigating college and emerging adulthood. I am passionate about supporting college students as they navigate academic pressures, relationships, identity development, independence, and the many transitions that come with this stage of life. I believe deeply in investing in our youth and transitional-age young adults because they are our future. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where students feel heard, empowered, and confident as they work toward their goals and discover who they are becoming.

I believe that people tend to know what is best for them deep down, and it is my job to assist them in discovering what they feel is the best solution. I am systemically oriented in my therapeutic work, seeing a problem as embedded in relationships either within the family, or even the larger societal system. Together, we will explore the root causes of your problems and evaluate specific approaches you can take to accomplish your goals. Another fundamental part of my approach is compassion and empathy. I tend to see the positive in people and can hold a significant amount of pain when clients reveal the hurt inside. I feel privileged to be a part of their healing journey.

I believe in the inherent worth of everyone and that people genuinely do the best they can. We all experience joys and sorrows that can impact our daily functioning. Sometimes these experiences can make us feel "stuck," but we have the power to choose how we respond. Since learning never ends, we will discuss improving your self-awareness and build your "tool box" with strategies to empower you in everyday life. A caring atmosphere will be provided to help you discover your strengths, show yourself compassion, and to find balance in your life. I work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and ages. Together, we'll build a tool box, so that you're better able to deal with situations that may cause discomfort. An eclectic and solution-focused approach to counseling is used. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness approaches are used as well. As we work together, we'll discuss ways to help improve your quality of life. I enjoy helping adults dealing with mental health changes, students with disabilities, individuals struggling with transitional issues (e.g. new diagnoses, elderly parents, veganism), career counseling, grief, pet loss, and how nutrition impacts mental health. If you are interested in learning what openings are available, please call 412-354-0636 Thank you, Megan

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We are Pennsylvania's premier therapy & assessments centers. We’re not simply counselors for your mind. We specialize in a results-based, individualized approach to healing and mental well being. Our clients are people; with their own lives, experiences and lifestyle. At Makin Wellness we treat the person… not the ailment.

If you’re a high-achieving student who looks “fine” on the outside but feels overwhelmed, anxious, or exhausted on the inside, you’re not alone. The pressure to perform academically, have a thriving social life, and figure out your future (all at the same time!) can quietly take a toll on your mental health. As a licensed mental health counselor, I help driven college students build lifelong coping skills and find balance—without pushing themselves harder or burning out. Together we can work to identify what you would like to be different in your life, and make a clear plan to help you get there. By the way - I'm also a certified career counselor, so if landing internships or planning life beyond college is stressing you out, I can help you there too. If you’re looking for therapy that’s down-to-earth, compassionate, and focused on helping you actually enjoy your college experience instead of just pushing through, let's connect! I offer a free 30 minute consultation call to see if we're a good fit before we start working together.

My training and orientation are mainly psychodynamic, but I utilize multiple theories and techniques, including mindfulness, family systems, as well as my background in cultural anthropology. I mainly work with grief, stress, anxiety, trauma, immigration and relocation, relationships, as well as LGBTQ+ and couples/family issues.

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Embarking on the journey of self-exploration takes courage, strength, and vulnerability. You may be feeling stuck, confused, or misunderstood. Choosing to share your experiences with a therapist can seem daunting and uncomfortable. At this stage, it is important to recognize that you already harbor this strength and courage within you as you begin to seek help. We will work collaboratively to guide you to the life you want to live - while navigating the obstacles that may be in your way to achieving strength, confidence, and empowerment. As an Art Therapist, art-making can help us explore and illustrate your unique story. Engaging in creative expression in therapy can help you make sense of your story, act as an extension of yourself, and aid in expressing unconscious feelings you may not be aware of. No artistic skill is needed to create, as the process alone can aid in healing and growth. I strive to create a safe, open, and creative space that allows you to process your experiences that have been hindering you from becoming your most authentic self. I look forward to connecting with you, and hope to be your guide as you navigate the road through self-exploration, growth, and healing.

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Hi, I’m Neal Holmes. I am a believer in holistic and collaborative therapy. Bearing witness to your lived experience is an honor, because we are all striving to live and build relationships the best way we know how as people. I like to help my clients find their passion in life, remove blocks that are keeping them from being their authentic self, and live the life they wish to live with their dreams and hopes fulfilled.

Life is full of unexpected ups and downs that we may not always be able to manage alone. In my practice, I specialize in collaborating with clients to navigate difficult life changes with greater peace, clarity, and confidence. I take a highly individualized, holistic, and client-centered approach. During sessions, you can expect to explore underlying beliefs, past experiences, unhelpful patterns, and personal strengths that can all make change possible. Additionally, I enjoy incorporating mindfulness techniques and creative coping skills into our sessions. Through self-exploration and effective strategies, you can develop greater personal power to cope with what life throws at you. I primarily work with individuals facing feelings of anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or challenges from chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders. While bringing a peaceful calmness, I also like to include humor and lightheartedness in sessions. I'm a creative person at heart, who loves cartoons and spending time in nature. If you've been contemplating starting therapy, now is the best time to give it a shot. Talking about mental health can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, but the sooner we start, the sooner we can begin the path toward healing. While fear and anxiety around therapy can be overwhelming, you have the strength to work through those feelings and take control of your life. You got this!

I am committed to providing a safe, empathic environment. I will meet you right where you are at - accept you for you; no judgement. I believe before we can move forward, we need to become aware of what is going on in the present. I want to help you become mindful of what is affecting your life so you can move forward to live the life you want to live.