Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

I have worked for last 6 years at Pitt's Counseling Center, focused primarily on transition, trauma, substance use and family concerns. My approach is to be in a 50/50 partnership with you, since you have the most experience with you, and I have the clinical experience and education. Therapy is by, for and about you and your health and well-being. I do not set expectations for you, we identify your goals together. Call or email for an initial, free consultation if you'd like to talk more about possibly working together! I look forward to meeting you!

We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.

Making that first call feels like failing. You have "no time for therapy"--you're already spread thin. You've tried everything, but nothing seems to be working. And even when it does, it's only for a moment. You are ready to feel like you are thriving instead of merely surviving. ...It's a little terrifying to think about diving into the things weighing you down though, right? Ask yourself this (and be honest!): "Can I keep going like I am now? And if I do, what will that look like?" Change occurs when--despite the discomfort and not quite knowing how you'll get there--all you know is you can't keep doing what you're doing. I've been told by many clients that I really hear them. I believe in asking YOU what you'd like to gain from therapy and asking YOU about your goals--not just basing them on a diagnosis. I don't talk *at* you--I talk *with* you. I take a "real" and informal approach. Laughter, making faces or noises are all acceptable ways to express emotions! I welcome you to bring coffee (or water or tea!) and sit wherever you feel comfortable in the room. It doesn't matter your age--you can color or draw, or just sit back and drink your coffee while we chat. I have a laid back style and it's important that my therapy room is a comfortable, relaxing environment. Reach out--let's see if we may be a good fit!

Melissa's diverse experience had lead her to focus on the importance of contentedness of relationships in fostering personal and spiritual growth in her clients. At the core, Melissa's goal is to help each person find the freedom that comes with pursuing wellness in every area of life. She strives to help people find a place of well being that goes beyond the sense of disease or illness but to a place of thriving state of health and balance.She has worked at various levels of mental health care including outpatient therapy, inpatient hospitalization, and residential treatment since 2005. In residential treatment, she worked with adolescents with behavioral difficulties and mental illness. While working in a psychiatric hospital, Melissa provided individual support and group therapy for adults, adolescents, children and their families who have struggled with disordered eating. She worked with children and their families who have struggle with anxiety and sleep disturbances in a university research setting. Her understanding of the connection between the mind and body was furthered while working in a medical hospital helping children, adolescents, and young adults with gastrointestinal disorders or sleep problems. These experiences have provided advanced knowledge in treating, not only eating disorders and anxiety but depression, sleep problems, trauma, body image disturbance, life transitions, communication difficulties, self esteem, chronic pain and other medical conditions. ​She has advanced training in non-pharmaceutical interventions, CBT for Insomnia and trauma, EMDR, attachment and dissociation. She enjoys working with transition age and early professionals who experience chronic anxiety and/or depression, complex trauma, and adjustment issues. She lived in Southeast Asia for 6 years and loves working with cultural adjustment issues.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist providing diagnostic assessment and evidence based psychotherapy for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. I have diagnosed and treated a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders in inpatient, emergency, outpatient, and telehealth settings. I also have specialized training in treating adolescents and young adults with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. I use a collaborative approach to create an individualized treatment plan that capitalizes on existing strengths and aligns with patients' short- and long-term goals for treatment. I obtained my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Case Western Reserve University, followed by a clinical internship at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. My postdoctoral research training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine focuses on promoting well-being during life transitions among individuals and families experiencing chronic stress. To learn more about the services that I offer and my approach to assessment and treatment, please call or text me (412-334-9214) to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.

My clients experience sadness and anxiety and adjustment to leaving home and college. Transitions are difficult and they need coaching and mentoring as well as counseling. Meeting new people roommates and classes are major stressors. Students get overwhelmed. Students who I see also worry about managing the social aspects as well.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you're feeling stuck, anxious, grieving, questioning your identity, or overwhelmed by life transitions, therapy can be a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. I work with college students, professionals, and adults—especially those in the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities—who are seeking deeper insight, relief, and a renewed sense of meaning. My style is warm, collaborative, and direct. I bring a trauma-informed, relational approach to our work, integrating elements of psychodynamic therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I’ll help you explore how past experiences may still be showing up in the present and support you in making empowered, values-based choices for your future. Clients often come to me for support with anxiety, trauma, identity concerns, grief, depression, relationship issues, and career struggles. I offer virtual therapy to clients located in Pennsylvania and any PsyPact participating state. If you're ready to begin—or even just curious about what therapy might look like—I invite you to reach out. Let's see if we're a good fit.

​​I provide effective help for individuals, couples and families, who are seen by scheduled appointment via secure and confidential telehealth sessions. Issues of concern include mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, communication problems, child/adolescent behavior, bereavement and emotional trauma, among others. I participate with most health insurance plans and many employee assistance programs.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I provide services to people with a broad spectrum of problems. My areas of specialty are trauma, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, or long-term ways of relating to self and others that do not seem to be working well.

Change is scary, and navigating change can be easier with the help of an effective support system! The most important part of being in therapy is having a trusting relationship. Whether it is life decisions, mood changes, life changes, I am here to help each step of the way. Perhaps you're seeking support in making that big job decision, managing overwhelming emotions, or just navigating life in general. I am open to working with all individuals, but do enjoy the work that happens with high school and college students! I have spent five years working in a community mental health setting, where issues varied greatly, with vast experience with depression, anxiety, health issues, ADHD, relationship issues, and self esteem. I work from a person centered perspective, but always open to expanding. I've assisted clients in getting connected to appropriate resources when needed. I work from a very client centered approach, as this is your treatment and I want you to get the most of it! If you feel as though you need support and guidance, I am open to free fifteen minute consultations to see if we would be a good fit to work together!

We provide a safe, caring environment with only top-rated specialists. We provide secure online therapy & counseling that fits your life. With a results-based, individualized approach, our goal is to help you heal and become happy again.

I work with students who feel stuck or stretched thin. Common themes include low mood or anxiety, perfectionism and procrastination, imposter feelings, and big transitions. My style is focused and time-limited. We set clear goals, build simple routines, and track progress between sessions. I use mindfulness, behavioral tools, and values work to help you decide what matters and act on it. Sessions are structured and practical: we translate insight into small, repeatable steps for school, relationships, and health. You can expect exercises to try between sessions and a concrete plan for each week. Good fit if you want a collaborative, evidence-informed approach, you are ready to practice skills, and you prefer clear feedback over jargon. Not a fit if you seek open-ended therapy without clear goals.

You’re motivated, emotionally intelligent, and highly self-aware, but OCD, ADHD, Trauma and big emotions stop you from thriving. And you’re sick of it. You want to go through your day without intrusive thoughts getting in the way. You want to break cycles and heal from you and your family’s pasts. You want to create new systems that work for you. You want to find connection, and grow, and flourish. Treating OCD and Trauma requires supportive guidance. The difficulties of ADHD don't get enough respect. And let's be honest, rarely are we taught how to tolerate or regulate our emotions. I'm here to help. I understand the struggles of living neuro-spicy and many of the treatments I have learned and utilize have benefited me as well. I am experienced with Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, and appreciate the mixture of things needed to support ADHD. Whenever you're ready, reach out. I'll be happy to chat, answer questions or help connect you with the right person if I'm not it. Contact me through here, or head to my site (takerootpgh.com) and click request appointment to self-schedule a free initial consultation. I can't wait to meet you! PS. Don't give up.

I think that therapy doesn’t have to be complicated. As a client you can expect to highlight your strengths, speak to your individual experience in a non-judgmental environment, receive unconditional support from someone you trust, and learn new ways to lessen your pain. I specialize in self-esteem and compassion, healthy relationships, kink and poly-friendly, diet culture recovery / Health At Every Size, and spirituality. Besides these topics, I also have extensive experience in a variety of other life issues. Contact me to discuss this more; I would like to help you through your personal challenges. Making the choice to start therapy is a deeply personal one; I wholeheartedly believe in each individual’s right to choose who they bring on their journey of healing and fulfillment. I hope that I can be your guide through that process.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

In my time working as a counselor, I have helped patients manage and overcome obstacles like anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. From challenges with the overwhelming pressure of academic life, work life, career choices, relationship challenges, and more, I will be there to offer an objective perspective on your situation and provide healthy tips and resources to navigate it. My approach empowers personal growth while always ensuring you feel safe, seen, and heard. Therapy is a great place to talk about life's problems where you can say anything and not be judged. No matter what you’re facing, talking with someone can help. My goal is to create a supportive, judgment-free space where you feel like you’re grabbing coffee with a friend…a friend who happens to be a licensed counselor with more than 10 years of experience. I work with teenagers (age 14+), adults, as well as couples. Depending on patients’ needs, I utilize CBT, DBT, and Reality Therapy approaches in sessions. Currently, all sessions will be conducted virtually, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your own home and on a more flexible schedule. Let's do this together!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.