Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh
Hi, I’m Djola McGowan, but most people lovingly call me DJ. I’m a neurodivergent Licensed Professional Counselor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I identify as a woman and use she/her pronouns. As a first-generation American with roots in Jamaica—the land of wood and water—I bring a rich, culturally informed perspective to my work. I believe therapy is a revolutionary act of self-care and a collaborative journey. My approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and cultural awareness. I truly believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens within us, but also in our relationships, families, and the systems we move through every day. As someone who values both personal insight and practical tools, I draw from Structural Family Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients make sense of how their emotions, thoughts, and family dynamics all intertwine. Together, we untangle the patterns that are keeping you stuck and work toward building new, healthier ways of being — both within yourself and in your relationships.
Are you feeling down, anxious, and isolated? Are you experiencing struggles with work, life transitions, or unresolved trauma? I am passionate about working with adults, couples, and families who are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, and life transitions. I am also dedicated to assisting immigrants and international students in navigating adjustments to American culture. My approach is integrative, engaging individuals to learn adaptive coping strategies and embrace the best version of themselves. I am trained in evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. I will help you explore how thoughts impact emotions and behaviors, challenge negative self-talk, and cultivate skills such as emotion regulation. Reaching out for help can feel intimidating. I aim to foster a warm and non-judgmental atmosphere for you to freely share. I would be honored to help you navigate in the direction of your values and goals.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I'm located conveniently near a SEPTA regional rail station, and also provide encrypted videoconferencing support as needed if logistics prove challenging. In addition, I can connect students with other mentors/coaches/specialists through my position as Director of the Ruttenberg Autism Center. I have a very good relationship with a wide array of representatives from regional universities, and can provide therapy, assessment, advocacy, social skills, vocational training/guidance, educational/study strategies, and a number of other benefits. Flexible payment options and scheduling are available.
this practice has one prioritized goal: to bring you one step closer to achieving peace in your life.
At Balanced Beginnings LLC, I collaborate with you and aid you in process of becoming whole. Life often presents moments where, for various reasons, we find ourselves entangled in conflicts affecting our mental well-being. In these instances, we are faced with a crucial choice—to either turn towards or away from a deeper understanding of ourselves. I firmly believe that every emotion and symptom serves as a key, unlocking doors through which we journey into the unconscious and shine a light into the darkest parts of ourselves. My approach is grounded in psychodynamic and emotion-focused perspectives, creating a sacred space that welcomes all facets of yourself, both known and unknown. Within this space, we will allow what needs acknowledgment to rise to the surface of consciousness. Together, we will navigate these revelations with compassion and acceptance, fostering what’s needed to integrate all parts of yourself into a more unified whole.
Individual, couples and group therapy for children, adolescents, young adults and adults. CBD is available for purchase. Most insurance accepted. Bilingual counselor available.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
As solution-focused therapists, our goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can’t change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Talking with a mental health professional can help alleviate emotional distress and assist with finding solutions to your problems so that you can find your inner balance. If you’re looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you’re just ready to move in a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email us for an individual, couples or family therapy.
I have expertise in working with members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, untangling impacts of trauma, and neurodivergent young adults, though many clients of diverse backgrounds and experiences tend to respond well to my authenticity and warmth. Clients seeking my support might be struggling with perfectionism, anxiety, burn out, boundary-setting, self-doubt, and identity. Common goals might include reducing anxiety, applying their awareness of self to healing, and approaching life and relationships with wellness and empowerment. My goal is to act as a partner in navigating the waves of life. I'm super excited to learn more about you! Building on sensory awareness, mindfulness, trauma work, and creativity, we'll dig for the root of your distress. Tools such as thought challenging, processing trauma, reducing nervous system burnout, and empowerment to lean into your long-term goals may be cornerstones of our work together. I cultivate an environment of authenticity, warmth, and creativity. Working with pre-teens to adults, I recognize that we have all experienced adversity to some degree in our lives and each degree is equally valid. While growth is often a layered and open-ended journey, your counseling relationship and an understanding of relational dynamics will be cornerstones for your adventure. Give us a call to discuss how we can help!
I use a traditional therapeutic modality (cognitive behavioral) in conjunction with a Mindfulness based approach. Clients learn to self regulate emotions as they learn to achieve their personal goals. Life will become more meaningful and fulfilling when the individual aligns with a purpose that feels authentic and valuable.
Welcome! I’m so glad you're here. We may not know each other yet, but I want you to know that I believe in your strength. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside many people on their healing journeys—especially women just like you, who are navigating the ups and downs of relationships, healing from trauma, and learning how to trust themselves again. Through my work, I’ve learned one important thing: healing doesn’t just mean surviving—it means thriving. With the right support, tools, and a safe space to be vulnerable, you can break through the limits of your past and create a life that feels authentic, empowered, and full of possibility. I know college life can feel like a whirlwind—juggling friendships, relationships, academics, and personal growth all at once. It’s a lot. But you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to support you as you navigate these challenges, whether that’s working through past trauma, navigating complicated relationships, or simply learning to love and trust yourself again. Your journey is uniquely yours, and it’s possible to turn your pain into power. I deeply believe that true transformation happens when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. That’s when we open up the possibility for real change and growth. If you're ready to explore what that could look like for you, I’m here to guide you. Let’s walk this path together. If you're feeling stuck, unsure, or just need someone to talk to, reach out. Let's talk about how we can work together to help you feel stronger, more confident, and more connected to your true self.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of experience working as a dynamic psychotherapist. I am a deeply empathic therapist, whose warmth and humor help to create a safe environment for self-exploration, growth and empowerment. Together with my clients, I work to forge a new story about themselves and the world that comes from a place of strength and acceptance. I aim to help my clients live a richer life, engage in more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others, and embrace opportunities. I have worked extensively with people recovering from addictions and trauma. I am certified in couples and family therapy, and work with families coping with addiction. I enjoy working individually with women on self-development. Areas of interest: trauma, loss, anxiety, depression, life transitions, young adulthood, exploring family and childhood. The struggles of transition to young adulthood are of particular interest to me. This time of life is so full of possibility; simultaneously exciting and scary. I have a great deal of experience working with students, as my office is minutes from the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
We have worked hard to make our practice a place to be brave in telling your story. We listen. We challenge, We curse. We laugh. We cry. We are real. When you sit with your therapist and tell them whats going on - you will be seen, valued and heard. We work with clients who struggle with relationships, the shift to college, becoming an adult, family stuff, neurodivergence, addiction and substance use, struggles with fitting in and making friends, college stress, feelings of grief and loss, anxiety, trauma, identity crisis, struggles around gender and identity, depression…. Basically if you are dealing with it, we can likely help with it. Our therapists strive to be ethical and supportive as they join you in your journey of discovery and healing. Therapy can be a scary thing to start and we want to be there in it with you, every step of the way. Our clinicians are highly educated and continue in training long after graduation in order to bring you the most appropriate and skilled interventions and treatment. We are an affirming and anti-racist practice. We believe in promoting social justice and that all clients deserve a space where they can be authentic and transparent without fearing judgement.
I have a special interest working with young adults struggling with body image issues, life stage transitions, trauma, relationships, and anxiety. I use an eclectic approach that is client centered.I show up as a human first and believe that in order to create a space in which my clients feel safe showing up as their authentic selves, I need to first show up as my authentic self. My style is conversational and informal. I seek to help the client get a better understanding of themselves and meet their inner selves with compassion and non-judgement.
I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Fine Tune Psychiatry. Our practice offers both in-person and virtual appointments, although my current schedule only accommodates virtual appointments. I have over 10 years of experience helping adult clients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions. I strive to create a collaborative environment where we can work together to meet your treatment needs and goals.
I hope to offer a place where you can be the healthiest version of yourself. I offer in person sessions as well as over video in order to accommodate your schedule. I believe through therapy, we can identify your strengths, so you can be the most successful version of yourself. I view therapy as an active process that creates a safe place to find healing. My goal is to assist clients to live a happy, successful, and healthy life.
Richard D’Amato, CRNP is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, with training and experience treating patients with various mild to moderate psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. Mr. D’Amato is trained in all areas of psychiatry including Attention Deficit Disorder, Mood Disorders (Bipolar Affective Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder), Anxiety, PTSD and Autism Spectrum Disorders (a particular focus). Mr. D’Amato brings a philosophy of holistic care, and an abiding commitment to personalized and comprehensive treatment for patients.