Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have always enjoyed connecting with people and learning about their experiences. I knew I wanted to go into the field when I was a senior in high school. From that point on, my education and training have centered on being the best therapist I can be. I have worked in hospitals, schools, and mental health agencies to gain a variety of experiences and expertise. From working in different settings, I knew I had a natural inclination to help my clients feel at ease and make therapy not only helpful but enjoyable.Since I have experienced therapy, I know what it is like to be on the other side. I appreciate a nonjudgmental approach with kindness and humor sprinkled in at the appropriate times. I believe therapy does not have to be serious all the time. Growth comes from support, understanding, and compassion.

Do you have unresolved issues with yourself, in your relationship, or within your family? You are not alone, and you do not need to suffer. My name is Dr. Jesse Smith, and I provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationships and more. I will help you heal old wounds, form secure attachments, and develop effective ways of managing your thoughts, feelings, and actions. My promise to you is that I will listen—really listen—to understand your unique background, identity and needs, and employ established therapeutic approaches to help you flourish in the life you want to lead.

Many of my clients feel overwhelmed with life's stressors and are looking for support and healthy coping skills. I also work with clients who have experienced trauma. I have provided counseling for survivors of sexual abuse for many years. Creating a safe space where clients can come without judgment and building an authentic relationship is my priority. Healing looks different for each person. I encourage my clients to decide what they need and then work alongside them to support their goals.

Let’s face it—finding a therapist can feel a little awkward. You’re trying to choose someone you’ve never met and wondering if you’ll actually feel comfortable opening up to them. I get that. What matters most to me is that you feel like you can show up as yourself, without worrying about being judged or saying the “wrong” thing. I’ve worked with all kinds of people, and I can promise you, you don’t need to have everything together before coming to therapy. You can bring the messy stuff, the uncomfortable stuff, and the things you’re embarrassed to say out loud. I also know from my own experience with chronic health issues that sometimes life takes turns we never expected. It can be exhausting, scary, frustrating, and lonely. That experience, along with my work as a therapist, has shaped the way I connect with people going through anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, health challenges, and major life transitions. Therapy with me isn’t about having all the answers or saying all the right things. We’ll start wherever you are, figure things out together, and probably even laugh sometimes along the way. My hope is that you’ll feel heard, understood, encouraged, and a little less alone in whatever you’re facing. I'm here for you.

Greetings! I’m glad that you’re here. I’m a clinical psychologist licensed to practice in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and I provide psychotherapy to adults (18+) through secure video calls. My approach as a therapist is integrative, relationship-oriented, and social-justice informed. I specialize in working with undergraduate/graduate students, young adults, and early career/emerging professionals who are interested in exploring relationship problems, family-of-origin concerns, power and privilege dynamics, self-compassion, grief, and caregiving tendencies. I work with folks who are yearning for deeper connection to others or themselves. We all long for connection, while also fearing it. I encourage my clients to bring all parts of themselves into our work together. Come as you are! I believe in the folks I work with, and I believe in the transformative power of relationships, community, and connection to heal. To schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute phone consultation, please contact me via email (dralvarezcounseling@protonmail.com) or phone (305-699-2024). The purpose of this initial consult is to gauge whether there is a match between your needs and the services I provide. I look forward to connecting with you and walking alongside you on your journey. Inward and onward! *** Please note that at this point in time I am only able to take insurance for BOSTON COLLEGE students who have UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.

As a relational, attachment-based therapist, I believe that the therapeutic relationship is a powerful vehicle for change. As a systemic therapist, I also believe that the systems you’re part of matter, and that your experience can’t be understood outside of those systems. You may have had the experience of “getting” something on a logical level, yet finding that knowledge to be inadequate or insufficient. I believe real change has to be felt, not just rationalized. So I focus on creating a relationship where it’s safe to take relational risks and have new experiences that create change on a deeper level. Within the relationship, the work can take many forms. We may start by looking into your past, as I believe the past is important in understanding the present, and that it’s useful for helping you understand your attachment style and relational patterns. And if you’re one of the many neurodivergent people who have experienced trauma, we can draw on Internal Family Systems/parts work and Emotion-Focused Therapy to help heal your younger self. My goal is to always meet you where you are, and sometimes that might mean taking a more practical, skills-based approach. This could mean developing strategies to manage overwhelm, big emotions, and struggles with organization, time-blindness and prioritization. For example,you may be feeling like you know what you need to do yet still can’t get it done. Here I also draw on my background as an ADHD coach, and use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Internal Family Systems to help you understand the emotions that may be getting in your way, see the different parts that create internal conflicts for you, and change how you relate to these parts.

College is a period of time of big transitions in a person's life. My hope is that therapy can provide you a place to improve emotional distress, heal from past wounds, and increase fulfillment in your life. I believe taking a collaborative approach to therapy as you are the expert of your own situation. As a trauma-informed therapist I believed it is essential to create a safe therapeutic environment. The focus of therapy is on your strengths and to build on your resiliency. I look forward to you reaching out so we can start this process. I think you will find my approach warm, nonjudgmental, and easy-going.

Life often feels stressful and overwhelming and can knock us off our feet before we know it. When this happens, strong emotions can overtake us and it can feel as if there is nowhere to turn. When nothing seems to be working, having someone to express your feelings to, who listens and hears you, can feel like a breath of fresh air. I am here to validate your feelings and to allow you to make space to get the support you are looking for. I offer in person sessions in a comfortable and inviting office space. In addition, I am able to offer virtual sessions, if you would prefer this method of meeting. I meet clients where they are at currently. I look forward to chatting with you more to find out what you are looking for in a clinician and how we can best work together to get you to a place that feels right for you!

Katherine is a warm and engaging therapist who values honesty and transparency in her interactions with clients. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals and find joy in their lives. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works closely with clients to create a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs. Having recovered from her own eating disorder, Katherine is able to bring a unique level of empathy and understanding to every session. Clients can expect to feel heard and validated but also pushed to confront their thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Her encouraging approach helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their feelings, and her humor adds a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the therapeutic process. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from Furman University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina. She has worked in all levels of care from outpatient to residential and most recently was the Program Director of a telemedicine Intensive Outpatient Program for Eating Disorders and the Director of Behavioral Health for a national telemedicine company. Katherine has over a decade of experience treating a wide range of issues including eating disorders, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and substance use disorders. She holds independent licenses to practice Social Work in 15 states and is currently pursuing her Eating Disorder Specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Individual and couples psychotherapy with a psychodynamic slant. Especially effective with anxiety ,depression ,low self-esteem , and relationship issues.

I help students who need support with a multitude of issues including depression, anxiety, Substance Use Disorder, drug or alcohol abuse, behavioral and process addictions like gambling, isolation, academic issues, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. I have been helping individuals and families my entire career and graduated with my second Masters Degree in 2009. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2015. I am licensed to practice in both PA and SC and am currently able to provide telehealth online therapy.

I am a warm, nonjudgmental, trauma-informed psychologist who is passionate about working with those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship issues, grief, depression, anxiety, substance use, and body image/disordered eating issues. I cherish the opportunity to work with college students from all walks of life, and I have specialized training working with LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. I offer in-person sessions in Pennsylvania and virtual sessions in both Pennsylvania and 41 other states through PsyPact. Please see my website for a full profile.

Traumatic and other difficult experiences often cause us to isolate and fill us with self-doubt. People around you have no idea what you are dealing with, and you know better than to risk confiding in them, only to be misunderstood. Within a few sessions, we will build a rapport that can serve as a home for getting better perspective on the difficult experiences you have had. You will soon feel confidence and clarity of mind return, and you will see relationships improve. Online sessions provide you with the convenience you may need during these busy years.

I specialize in working with clients from the ages of 14 to adulthood, who are inquisitive, self-aware, and deeply motivated to understand themselves better, improve their relationships, move into a place of self-respect/love, and develop adaptive ways of coping, communicating, and problem-solving. I have worked for many years with children, teens, adults, and families dealing with trauma and change and searching for authenticity, often in a world that values the superficial. Therapy is a process of seeking meaning, managing change, letting go of what no longer makes sense for who we are and what we want, healing, and growing. I am most suited to help clients dealing with loss, prior childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, identity (in all its manifestations), divorce, self-esteem, grief, and emotional regulation. The goals are different for everyone, yet I believe that we all want to feel more balanced, more joyful, and more healthfully connected with others. As a psychologist with 25 years of post-doctoral experience, I’ve been exposed to various modalities, settings, and clients dealing with differing issues, life changes, and developmental expectations. I’ve also found that my professional practice has evolved as I’ve matured, raised children, and survived losses and challenges. We are in this together.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, burned out? Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, or difficulty in adjusting? I believe that every person can benefit from counseling and that finding the right match with your provider matters. My theoretical orientation follows the person-centered approach to counseling, which recognizes the potential of clients to determine their own best treatment. I believe in a collaborative effort between counselor and client and will work with you to achieve the most beneficial outcome for you, as an individual.. My approach is based on my belief that we all have the capacity to improve our own well-being and that counseling can often be a catalyst toward change. My hope and intention are to work with you to define your counseling goals and to help you discover the best way to achieve those goals.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, confused, or anything in between - it can feel like you're not yourself anymore. Talking about it can help. I’m here to listen non-judgmentally and help you prioritize what’s most important to you. We will work together to find solutions that help you feel like yourself again! I am a graduate of the University of Scranton (B.S. in Counseling & Human Services and Philosophy) and Temple University (Master of Social Work). I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and can see clients virtually if they are located in PA or CT. Please feel free to message me or request an appointment if you would like to see if I am a good fit for you. I look forward to working with you!

Therapy isn’t just about getting through hard times, it’s an opportunity for you to reconnect with your own inner strength and move toward a life that feels more meaningful, grounded, and embodied. You might feel overwhelmed, stuck in a major life change, overthinking, or just tired of pretending you're okay. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Much of my work with clients involve exploring your thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences to deepen self awareness and support lasting change.

College is this interesting time of transition where you are given an opportunity to explore independence away from your parents, hometown, and all that feels comfortable. But for many, this independence and freedom can be lonely, confusing and downright uncomfortable. You may feel like you are not cut out to succeed in such a high pressure environment. Decisions can seem overwhelming. Am I in the right major? What internship should I choose? Should I study abroad? Do I need to take a semester off? How do I manage my money? The pressure to perform academically can be intense and feel overwhelming. Picking a major, choosing classes, second guessing your decisions, and simply managing time and assignments can feel insurmountable. If you previously struggled with time management or organization, you may find your safety net is now far away and now your grades are suffering. I have worked with many students just like you. I work to treat a range on issues that get in the way of optimal academic performance - from depression to anxiety to ADHD. I further specialize in working with students who are also parents. Parenting young children while working towards your degree is no small feat. Pregnancy and/or postpartum during graduate school is challenging but together we can get through it. Please visit my website for more information about how therapy can help you!

Guessing your way through life is stressful. I work with college students who are realizing that there's a lot of things that they weren't taught in school and are ready to take control of their future. Now that you have more freedom and choice, you also have to figure out what to do with it. Who are you? Who do you want to be? What do you want to do with your life? How do you get there? If you're starting out college, you might be trying to get yourself into a routine, make new friends, navigate the campus dating scene, decide on a major, or handle the stress of midterms/finals. Maybe you're past that part of your college experience, but you still haven't found a good solution to those problems: still putting off studying, dealing with friend drama, having ups and downs with dating, etc. And if you're getting towards the end of your college experience, you might be worried out about what you're going to do after college and what that will look like. You don't need to figure all that out on your own. I help people get to the root of their problems so that they can understand themselves and others better. If you can understand your past and unlearn things that aren't helping you anymore, then you can replace them with healthy ways to move forward with confidence.