Therapists for college students near Philadelphia, PA

Hi, I'm Kellie and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I've been in this field for 8 years, and have been licensed for 5 years. I've worked with and helped a variety of individuals in all stages of life deal with difficult life circumstances. Additionally, I am a certified trauma therapist and certified grief therapist. If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you where you are and begin to create space to help you find your light, I might be the therapist for you.

Adulting sometimes is rough, high school can be difficult, and just going through any life changes can be hard. If you are looking for help with coping skills, processing life's events, or a non-biased listener, I am here to work with you. I specialize in family therapy, certified in trauma, and work with couples, families, and individuals on a range of issues. Whether you are more comfortable meeting in the office or online, I am available Monday through Thursday.

A little about me, I'm an empathic, yet irreverent, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) in PA. I'm also certified in DBT, a gold-standard treatment for BPD.As Confucius once said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Welcome to a safe space, I commend your bravery & courage to seek help for your mental health. Are you looking for a therapist that's adaptive to your needs and will also challenge you to become the best version of yourself? If you are, I may be a good fit for you. A little about me, I'm an empathic, yet irreverent, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) in PA. I'm also certified in DBT, a gold-standard treatment for BPD. The goal of my practice is to help you find ways to improve your mental health symptoms so you can obtain the quality of life you desire and deserve. Whether you struggle with anxiety, emotion dysregulation, low self-esteem, relationship issues, addiction, or self-harm, I'm here to help. My non-judgmental, empowering approach has helped many clients succeed. I use several evidence-based treatment methods, which I integrate based on your specific mental health needs. My clients often tell me they feel comfortable from our first interaction and describe me as caring, trustworthy, optimistic, intelligent & solution-oriented.

I am empathetic, warm, and personal, and enjoy sitting with clients through whatever problems they present. I enjoy using CBT and DBT when needed and also employ person-centered therapy. I am a Level 2 CCTP (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional). Whether it's processing grief, exploring difficulty in relationships, or managing emotions, I believe that the true gift of therapy is having an available and unbiased space to explore your goals. I provide an authentic and understanding atmosphere to help hold space for whatever clients are willing to bring to therapy.

I have supported young adults as undergrads and graduate students in balancing stress, anxiety, depression, work, relationships and family conflicts for over 20 years. Many students and graduates come to me during and after college in transition periods when they are dealing with academic, workplace, relationship and even conflicts with parents and siblings. While I often provide individual therapy, I have specialties in relationships (couples counseling) and adult family therapy (adult children, parents, siblings).

In my view, mental health struggles are not just random blips of brain chemistry, but connect to our histories, personalities, desires, and fears. I work primarily from a relational and psychodynamic perspective, an approach that is slower than some other methods, but often more transformative and long-lasting. My work takes place at the level of the innermost self, parts that may be unknown or consciously rejected. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy: we build this practice together as we go. Through a process of nonjudgmental curiosity, I create a safe space for self-discovery and acceptance. I enjoy working with adults from all walks of life. I welcome and have experience working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse clients, as well as those from alternative lifestyles/subcultures. I will also soon be offering psychological assessment services. I work from a collaborative orientation that puts assessment data in the context of your life and world. I have completed a doctoral (Psy.D.) program and am currently working toward licensure as a psychologist. I work under the supervision of a licensed clinician I can consult about my work. I have over three years of experience in community mental health and college counseling settings, as well as several years in social work prior to my graduate training.

I have experience working with emerging adults (18-21 years old), providing individual counseling surrounding life transitions and identity development. I earned my bachelor’s degree at University of North Carolina- Asheville in 2010. Before moving to Pittsburgh, I worked in a whole person centered recovery program helping people with substance use and mental health challenges. I draw from therapeutic frameworks such as existential-humanistic, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. At the core, my therapeutic perspective is curiosity and compassion. It is my role to understand and honor your complexities and contradictions, instead of neutralizing them. I want to work with adult individuals and couples who are interested in their past, present, and future selves. I will bring a non-judgmental, person-centered approach that prioritizes your needs and wants in every session. I believe healing and growth doesn’t happen in a bubble, but in the moments of connection where you can be both genuine and vulnerable. My purpose as a therapist is to create a safe space for you to cultivate authenticity, explore those vulnerabilities, and move towards your goals. My practice is strongly informed by the urgency and reality of our current times. Mental health is not just an individual issue, but intertwined with our systemic and community environments. I will seek to understand your unique lived experiences, especially if those experiences include marginalization and oppression. I hope to help you navigate these real overwhelming struggles and find paths towards resistance, empowerment, and joy.

With over 15 years in the mental health field, I'm thrilled to begin the next chapter of my career as a therapist and clinical supervisor at Congruent Relationships. I earned my master's degree in Couples and Family Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy from Antioch University Seattle in 2014. After returning to Pittsburgh, I spent several years in community mental health, gaining a broad range of experience working with individuals and families of all ages in various settings. For the past five years, I've worked in private practice as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. During this time, I trained under a certified sex therapist, which equipped me to support individuals and couples with diverse sexual concerns and goals. My practice is built on an inclusive, sex-positive, trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-ableism, and anti-colonialism lens. I am committed to providing gender-affirming care to individuals, couples, and families within the LGBTQIA+ community. I also specialize in treating neurodivergent individuals. I am passionate about empowering them and their loved ones to navigate the world, celebrating their unique brains and abilities while developing skills and accommodations to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. I approach therapy with a foundation of non-judgmental curiosity, collaboration, humor, and humanity. I utilize systemic theory and an eclectic combination of approaches, including talk therapy, art therapy, sex therapy, mindfulness, and somatic interventions, tailoring each one to a client's specific needs.

I’m Grace! In the therapy room, I show up authentically. We’re both human, and I believe that connecting on a human level rather than just a professional level fosters a deeper connection and the potential for stronger trust and safety to be built. I spend more time than many on building a strong foundation of rapport with clients through getting to know the stories that built them. I feel strongly that every individual is an expert on themself, and I am a learner in the first stage of therapy. It’s so important to me that you know that I will accept you unconditionally. In therapy, there will absolutely be a time and place for challenging and calling you on your bullshit when appropriate. However, I also believe that in order for the challenging to feel safe, it is necessary for there to be a foundation of non-judgment and understanding that each person is doing the best they can in a given situation. I am committed to doing everything I can to understand where you may be coming from, what led you there, and why you made the decisions you did. That doesn’t mean I’ll always agree with you, and I may offer other perspectives, but I will consistently prioritize validation and giving context to your self-judgments. How do you know if I’m the right therapist for you? If any of the following resonate with you, I may be a good fit for your needs: You struggle with aspects of your identity (gender, sexuality, life stage, ways of defining worth, etc.) You often feel as if you are “not enough” and don’t measure up to those around you You have trouble expressing, processing, or regulating emotion, perhaps due to past contexts in which you didn’t feel safe to do so You notice that you are sometimes really mean to yourself You find yourself pushing away the “hard stuff” You want to build self-awareness to understand your inner world on a deeper level As someone who grew up closeted in an extremely religious household, I get what it’s like to feel like you don’t belong or like you need to push away parts of yourself. I can never fully understand what exactly it’s like to be you, but I can connect with you through the shared experience of being a person who’s trying their best to figure out who the hell they are. I want you to know that all parts of you are important, and we can work together to figure out how they have historically functioned to protect you, and perhaps how they can function differently to protect you in the present. I can truly say that I love my job. It’s so beautiful to be able to share in both the joys and sorrows with a client, holding some of those emotions for them when we’re in the room together. I feel very lucky to witness the changes clients make over time, as they learn more about their inherent worth and ability to weather the storms that life inevitably brings. I can’t make the rain go away, but I can help you find some boots and an umbrella.

Most of the clients I work with feel things deeply. They might worry a lot, get overwhelmed easily, or feel stuck when friendships or school start to feel hard. Some feel misunderstood at home or unsure how to explain what’s going on inside. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I help clients slow things down, talk through what’s weighing on them, and find ways to feel more confident and steady again.

If you’re someone who looks like they have it together but feels overwhelmed on the inside, you’re probably a good fit here. Many of the people I work best with are students or young adults navigating big changes like college, new jobs, relationships, or figuring out who they are outside of family expectations. You might struggle with anxiety, overthinking, or feeling unsure of yourself, especially when it comes to setting boundaries or making decisions. If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself and want support that feels real, encouraging, and practical, I’d love to work with you.

Most of the people I work best with feel like life is moving fast and they are struggling to keep up. They might be anxious, overwhelmed, or carrying a lot of feelings they do not quite know how to explain. Some are students feeling pressure from school or friendships. Some are young adults trying to figure out their next step. Others are kids who feel big emotions and need help understanding what is going on inside. If you tend to overthink, feel stressed easily, or feel like your emotions sometimes take over, you are not alone. I work well with clients who want support, understanding, and simple tools that actually help in real life. Therapy with me is a place to slow down, talk honestly, and start feeling more confident handling whatever comes next.

Societal expectations can show up in academia in ways that can cause enormous stress. In a world that too often values productivity and individuality over community, co-creation, and support, the experience of being in the academic environment can feel isolating, overwhelming, or even like constantly having to prove yourself. I invite and support my clients to challenge the very constructs that have caused them to feel small. As a therapist, I utilize a relational approach to help you feel supported, to reveal patterns, and to help you find ways forward. I also acknowledge that the body can speak and reveal things that we, at times, are not able to verbalize, which is why I integrate somatic practices to help process stress and emotions. Together, we will hold space for you to feel seen and heard, and develop coping mechanisms to build resilience as you continue to navigate life. If you'd think we might be a good fit, I welcome you to reach out for a Free 15-minute Video Consultation!

College can be a lot in general. It can especially be when you’re balancing identity, family expectations, and your own hopes for the future. I grew up as a second-generation Chinese American in the Midwest, so I understand what it’s like to move between cultures while trying to figure out who you are. I offer a space where you can slow down, sort through what’s real for you, and make decisions that actually feel aligned. Whether you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, or just trying to make sense of this phase of life, I’m here to support you in a way that feels steady, collaborative, and grounded in your lived experience. Reach out to schedule a Free 15-minute Video or Phone Consultation.

Our Medication Management Services integrate seamlessly with therapy to support your full healing journey. Whether you’re exploring medication for the first time or continuing ongoing treatment, our goal is to help you feel grounded, supported, and empowered every step of the way.

Welcome to Lifeline Medical Center. We are a national company that has a small home time feel. We care for each of our clients and walk with them through their journeys. You are not a number to us, you are someone very special. Your health and mental wellness are our first priority. We welcome any who want help either with medications through our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or Counseling. We are here for you. Reach out now to call and schedule. You will be glad you did. You can also schedule an appointment directly through our website.

Hey! My name is Ainsley, and I’m a trans, queer, neurodivergent, and physically disabled therapist. I love stories. Telling them, reading them, writing them, and most important in my career—listening to them. I believe there is unmistakable power in a person’s story that leads to greater connection, purpose, and understanding. Speaking from personal experience, our life stories change rapidly! Sometimes this is wonderfully exciting. But, it can be isolating to feel like your story has changed so quickly that you’re no longer its author. My passion as a therapist stems from wanting to help others reconnect with themselves, live authentically, and reclaim their narrative. Of course, authenticity is a two-way street, so I’ll be showing up fully as myself—with my multi-colored mullet, fidget toys, and whichever glasses frames match best with my outfit that day. (: I fully encourage you to show up in whatever way feels most comfortable to you, even if that changes on a weekly basis. I became a therapist because I enjoy working with people and helping to brainstorm solutions. I started my career as a teacher, and quickly found myself in the depths of AuDHD burnout. I knew I wanted to help people, and that I loved being a small part of someone’s journey to success. But, I felt that my creativity and identity as an advocate were stifled by the school system. As a therapist, the pieces of myself that others viewed as “too much” are now my strengths. In my internship experience, I received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and trauma-informed approaches. While I may use DBT in practice to aid in emotional regulation, my integrative approach also draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and person-centered work. I have extensive experience working with children and teens, who are some of my favorite clients. I’ve been known to incorporate creativity and special interests whenever I can! Music, art, and video games are great tools to process emotions! While you can expect each session to start similarly—with a check-in that is not just the dreaded “How are you today?”—I look forward to collaborating with you to make our time together worthwhile and meaningful. We might be a good match if any of the following resonates with you: You’re exploring gender and/or sexuality and you want a therapist who shares queer and trans identities. You suspect you might be neurodivergent, and feel totally lost. Your previous therapists just haven’t “clicked” with you, or you haven’t felt affirmed. Traditional “talk therapy” doesn’t do it for you, or you’d like a more creative approach to sessions. You’re struggling with anxiety that leaves you emotionally and physically drained. You’ve been told you have “big emotions,” are “too sensitive,” or are “too much” for others. You want to build greater self-esteem or a better relationship with your mind and body. Life is tough, and opening up to a stranger by pursuing therapy is even tougher. I commend you for taking this step and would be honored to be a part of your next chapter. You’ve got this.

I’m passionate about providing creative and exploratory therapeutic practices to help children, adolescents, families, and individuals of all ages thrive. I truly value open communication and an open-minded approach throughout the therapeutic process. My goal is to create a welcoming space where clients can think, feel, explore, and make sense of their innermost experiences. I strive to foster an empathetic, respectful, and safe environment that allows everyone to process their unique life challenges. Over the past fifteen years, I've had the pleasure of working with a variety of people in different settings, both in the community and through one-on-one interactions. Alongside my MSW/LSW, I’ve earned certifications in areas like Child Welfare, Complex Case Management, Family Intervention Counseling, Crisis Management, and Drug and Alcohol Counseling. I embrace an person-centered approach to treatment in a way that's holistic, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I incorporate a range of clinical techniques, including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and more, to tailor my support to each individual.

You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, weighed down by grief, impacted by past trauma, or struggling with persistent feelings of depression. Perhaps you’re an adult who appears “high-functioning” on the outside but feels emotionally exhausted on the inside, or you’re seeking a deeper sense of stability, clarity, and relief from distressing or painful symptoms that have begun to interfere with daily life. You may be looking for therapy that is both compassionate and effective—something that goes beyond just talking and helps you experience real, lasting change, while building skills enabling resilience and growth. I specialize in working with adults who are navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. With over ten years of experience in the mental health field, I use evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other integrative modalities. Beginning therapy takes courage, and I understand how vulnerable it can feel to reach out for support. Our work will move at a pace that feels right for you, and you are always in control of what you choose to share. You’re welcome to ask questions and take time to build trust as we get to know each other. Reach out to see if I'm the right fit for you.

Welcome to Lifeline Medical Center. We are a national company that has a small home time feel. We care for each of our clients and walk with them through their journeys. You are not a number to us, you are someone very special. Your health and mental wellness are our first priority. We welcome any who want help either with medications through our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners or Counseling. We are here for you. Reach out now to call and schedule. You will be glad you did. You can also schedule an appointment directly through our website.