Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA
Amber is a keen listener and highly values the relationship between the therapist and the client. She values trust, empathy and authenticity and believes strongly in the power of journeying with someone as a pathway to change. Amber’s style is warm, genuine, supportive and direct. Her theoretical approach is eclectic in nature and client-centered, drawing from psychodynamic and mindfulness-based modalities as well as parts work, and EFT. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, trauma, and grief/loss. Amber is well-versed in the concept of Self-Compassion by Dr Kristin Neff and she works with adults of all ages. Amber has experienced religious deconstruction and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are going through these processes or those have experienced religious trauma. She believes spirituality is an integral part of a healthy, happy life and loves to explore meaning making with individuals regardless of religious/spiritual affiliation or non-affiliation-(atheists and agnostics welcome!). Amber loves working with couples, has completed Gottman levels 1 and 2, and has an understanding of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). She enjoys working to improve conflict, connect past experiences to current relationship struggles, and improve intimacy. Amber was an ASL Interpreter for many years and enjoys working with individuals and couples who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. She is fluent in ASL and has a deep understanding of Deaf Culture. Amber graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s MSW program in the Spring of 2026. Prior to that, she worked as an ASL/English Interpreter for 24 years, specializing in mental health, higher education, and legal settings. She also served as a professional mentor and taught at the college level. Her B.S. is from Indiana University and is in ASL/English Interpreting. Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there. -Rumi For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. -Audre Lorde
Welcome to the Awareness and Wellness Center (AWC)! My name is Amy Mintgomery and I am a professional counselor in Pennsylvania providing in-person and online counseling. I have been providing therapy services for adults struggling with a range of issues including substance use disorders, problems with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief/loss, as well as anger/stress management problems and more. I have gained this experience working in a variety of therapeutic settings including long-term residential, inpatient and outpatient agencies. For 18 years I worked in the Student Life division of a local university. I worked primarily with student organizations in organizational development. I helped the young adult population of the university develop self-efficacy and to better manage stress. More recently I worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings for substance use and co-occurring disorders. In therapy, I use a person-centered approached utilizing cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused technique. My approach is to provide a soothing space and offer the environment you need to talk through life’s challenges. “Life on life’s terms” can be complicated and everyone needs a place to process difficulties. My hope is to be part of your “We” so that you have the professional support needed to begin to work through challenges and find solutions to better manage stress and the emotions connected to that stress.
At some point along the journey, our stories demand to be told. Whether through painful emotional and physical symptoms, relationship struggles, or other interruptive experiences, our lives catch up to us. They ask for our attention. Therapy is a place where, together, we can pay closer attention to your story and the person you are becoming. We are all always in process. I believe that we can experience true healing in a human encounter, and I strive to deeply listen to my clients, bringing curiosity and attention to the parts of you that may have gone unnoticed. Approach to Therapy My counseling approach is rooted in relational psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on patterns and themes from early childhood and how they show up in your life today. This approach also emphasizes the relationship between the therapist and client as a vehicle for healing and change. It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with, and it may take you some time to discern the right fit. I respect the vulnerability and bravery required to step into this work, and aim to meet you with humility, curiosity, and a responsible awareness of my own intersecting identities. Each person brings unique concerns and needs, and I am committed to ongoing research and training to provide the best care I can. I draw from a variety of approaches, including attachment-based therapy, family systems work, liberation psychology, Internal Family Systems (informed, not certified), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Narrative-Focused Trauma Therapy. Background: I have worked with at-risk youth, college students, and folks from all walks of life in outpatient and community mental health settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Trauma and Abuse from the Seattle School (2023). Outside of therapy, I enjoy lots of things, including yoga, performing arts, poetry, and being outside!
Rachel Porterfield is a licensed clinical social worker who provides psychotherapeutic care to adults of all ages. She has years of experience working with individuals who struggle with a variety of challenges, including anxiety/panic attacks, depression, grief and loss, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and relationship concerns. Rachel helps others to share their intimate thoughts and feelings while guiding them to learn new skills that will encourage them to develop healthy life changes openly and collaboratively. Rachel has been extensively trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches/models including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy. Rachel has worked in outpatient dual diagnosed programs, hospitals, and primary care offices. Rachel received her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a certification in mental health.
Sometimes life feels overwhelming — stress, anxiety, depression or relationship challenges can leave you feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward. Therapy can help you understand why you feel this way and explore new paths toward change. Often, what seems like the “problem” on the surface is connected to something deeper. Together, we’ll work to uncover and understand these underlying patterns so that meaningful change can happen. I provide a safe, supportive space to explore your experiences and help you create more satisfying relationships and a life that feels aligned with your goals.
As a licensed psychologist, I work with adults and adolescents seeking personal growth and change through psychotherapy. Areas of focus within my practice include anxiety, depression, college student mental health, graduate student mental health, career planning and change, partner relationship concerns, grief and loss, life-long and acquired disability issues, and adjustment to life changes such as medical diagnoses, traumatic brain injury, relationship loss, school transition and death of a loved one. I work extensively with undergraduate students with academic and mental health concerns. Academic stress, choice of major, career direction and planning, time management, motivational difficulties, underachievement, disability adaptation needs, and relationship/family issues are common concerns brought to therapy by college-aged students. Having a safe, reliable space to explore concerns and develop solutions can enhance well-being, satisfaction and success. The academic and research responsibilities of graduate programs can be challenging to juggle. In addition, graduates school can often be an isolating time for many students. Motivation, goal clarification, stress management, school-life balance, relationships, financial concerns, and post-graduate career exploration and planning are among the many challenges graduate students face in their academic lives. Work with graduate students is an integral part of my practice.
My therapeutic approach is humanistic and combines creative expression with elements of CBT, DBT, and ACT. While my specialization is in Art Therapy, I am also trained in traditional counseling, Sports Counseling, and Adoption Competency and will work with you to decide what will best support you and your treatment goals. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, and day-to-day life stressors and transitions, as well as children and adolescents living with chronic pain and illness. My other experience involves individual, group, and familial support in medical, residential, and educational settings. I aim to provide a calm, relaxing, and inviting environment.
If you feel like you’re stuck in limbo—waiting for your "real life" to start while constantly getting in your own way—you are exactly where you need to be. Life transitions, relationships, and past events can be complicated. We all have those patterns—the ones where we know we're self-sabotaging, but we do it anyway. Whether it’s messy relationships, past stuff that keeps popping up, or the overwhelming stress of being a young adult in a chaotic world, you don't have to piece it together alone. Some days you might need a roadmap and direct advice; other days, you just need a safe space to sit with the big, scary questions. If you’re looking for a mix of humor, directness, and a partner to help you navigate, let's talk. I specialize in helping people explore the "in-between" stages of life and processing the heavy stuff that holds them back. LGBTQ+ affirming and provide gender affirming care letters. New openings available for June 2026! Stop overthinking it and take the first step. Self Schedule a FREE 15 min consult by clicking my website link!
Hi! I’m Tori I’ve been working in the mental health field for 10 years, gaining experience in a variety of settings, and I’ve found my passion in helping adolescents, young adults, and adults navigate the ups and downs of life. This time in life is full of growth, change, and self-discovery—exciting, but also intimidating. I love supporting my clients through managing anxiety, depression, stress, and interpersonal challenges, and helping them build the skills to thrive. I take a laid-back approach to therapy, aiming to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood. Humor is a big part of my style—life is tough enough, so I believe therapy should have some light moments. That said, I know when to be serious, and I’ll be right there with you as we work through whatever’s on your mind. I’m here for people from all walks of life, and I’m a strong ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. My approach combines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you develop practical tools for managing emotions, improving relationships, and making real, lasting changes in your life. In our work together, you’ll gain valuable insight into your thought patterns, learn skills to cope with stress, and build the resilience to live more authentically and mindfully. Outside of therapy, you’ll probably find me spending time with loved ones, catching concerts, watching horror movies, or taking walks. I’d be honored to walk alongside you on your journey to greater well-being. Reach out if you’d like to learn more or get started!
Thanks for checking out Thrive Counseling Center. We are here to assist when life's challenges tend to become overwhelming and begin to impact you, your relationships, and your educational and career goals. We work with a variety of mental health and relationship issues, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, stress, relationship issues, sexuality, gender issues, ptsd/trauma. Using a variety of techniques, we look forward to assisting you in improving your health and well-being on your journey to living your best life!
I have over 20 years of experience specializing in treating women who have problems with their moods and difficulty managing emotions. Formally trained in Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Gestalt Therapy, I blend these approaches with warmth, compassion and a genuine desire to understand the experience of my clients, helping them feel empowered to overcome personal obstacles and move forward to a happier, healthier life. I encourage being present in the moment without judgment of ourselves, others, or our circumstances. I approach my work with enthusiasm and often a necessary bit of humor. I look forward to meeting with you.
(Under Development)
The goal of Premier Psychotherapy is to create a place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of judgment. Some area of expertise include: Complex Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma-Focused Play Therapy, Foster Care/Adoption, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Christian Counseling, Inner Child Work and more.
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Are you trying to navigate life's many challenges in a more flexible, aware, and skillful way? Let's collaborate to change patterns that aren't working for you. Respecting that you are the expert on your life and goals, I will integrate my training and experiences to support you in growth. Individuals often work with me to shift patterns of anxiety or depressed mood, to reclaim the energy wasted on perfectionism or overly harsh self-criticism, to reduce procrastination and improve effectiveness, to make progress on health goals, to improve the quality of their relationships, and to manage stress more efficiently. I also specialize in perinatal mental health (pregnancy, post-partum, fertility, loss) and in working with parents of children of all ages. Most people I work with choose online therapy, and some meet with me in the office. As a member of PSYPACT I can often continue to work with you online while you visit home or work/study outside of PA. (For participating states: https://psypact.org/page/psypactmap)
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I see one of the most important roles as a therapist to be putting in the work to earn someone’s trust and walking beside them as an accomplice on their path towards growth. I don’t believe that people are “broken” or “need to be fixed”, but rather that somewhere within every person lies the capacity to generate change. I believe this change begins by finding someone trustworthy to support them through this process. And—that being kinder and gentler towards ourselves goes a long way to building the foundation for this change to occur. My experiences span across 15 years, with the scope of my direct work supporting clients in their exploration of gender expression/transition, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss and more- all within Allegheny County. I am also happy to provide evaluations and letters for Gender Affirming surgeries, Green Card Status, and Emotional Support Animals. The world is an often hard place to be, and my goal is to create a space for softness to occur. To not only listen but to hear and understand. To respect through accountability. To address struggles through processing and also through action leading to systemic change.
My experiences stem from working with children of all ages within a variety of educational and therapeutic settings that ultimately led towards my work with at-risk children as a Family Based Therapist. Working hands on with families in their homes within authentic and relational setting(s) (i.e., home and community) had shaped my learning experiences and identified my growth as a person and a therapist. My work prepared me to differentiate my therapeutic approaches and enable connections that no traditional clinical experience could offer. Fast forward, working as a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have the privilege to work with a variety of populations, with clients ranging from mild to severe mental health conditions. I offer a warm safe setting that enables a professional therapeutic collaboration and growth towards client centered therapeutic goals. I continue to rely upon evidenced based interventions to help guide our therapeutic relationship towards progress or help uncover potential barriers to that may impede your therapeutic progress.
People come to therapy for many different reasons, but, at the core, they are looking for understanding, relief, or growth. Maybe you’re trying to understand why you feel the way you do, or you find yourself caught in the same difficult thoughts again and again. Perhaps you’ve noticed patterns of behavior that seem to work against your own well-being. You might be facing a life transition—chosen or not—and are feeling anxious about what’s next. Or maybe you just feel stuck. Therapy offers a space to slow down and make sense of what’s happening. Together, we can clarify your current experience, explore how you got here, and begin to shape a healthier, more fulfilling path forward.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.