Therapists for college students near University of Pittsburgh

Our practice provides psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A psychoanalytic approach to treatment offers a comprehensive and nuanced framework for addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, identity struggles, self-esteem, and a sense of self. If advisable, we can also provide careful expert medication management that is informed by our therapeutic work together. Our approach facilitates an environment where people are able to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and wishes in a setting that is inherently collaborative, caring, and non-judgemental. A strong therapeutic relationship is the most powerful means of treatment and developing this alliance is an essential priority for me.

In our work together, you'll have a non-judgmental space to explore whatever is holding you back, while also taking steps toward change and a more fulfilling future. I work with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, and low self-esteem. I became a therapist after 20 years in mental health research, where I gained a deep appreciation for the many factors that influence whether we are just surviving or fully thriving – spanning our life experiences, relationships, communities, and environment. I bring that curiosity to my work with clients, along with warmth, empathy, a sense of humor, and practical tools. We will use evidence-based approaches and a person-centered, empowering philosophy. You are a whole person and not a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. We’ll focus on building concrete skills to get you through difficult moments, always anchoring our sessions with curiosity, kindness, humor, and a deep respect for what matters most to you.

My name is Nicole Grabowski and I am a holistic and intersectional therapist who approaches healing from a person-centered, anti-oppressive, and trauma-focused perspective. I strive to support you in understanding your resiliency, unburdening the struggles you carry, and navigating the barriers you encounter that prevent you from living the meaningful life you desire. I welcome and honor intersecting identities and experiences. Together, we will collaboratively work towards your goals and create a space for you to heal, grow, and bloom.

Helping people feel more connected, alive and easeful in a difficult world is what excites me about the therapeutic process. While living with mental health challenges, it is difficult to know how to get unstuck or even to remember a time when things felt okay. I work collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths and identify goals that align with their values. We all develop strategies for survival that can be limiting over time. We can create more options that go beyond old strategies through practicing new ways of relating, recognizing nervous system patterns and strengthening the mind-body connection. Some of the approaches and techniques I use include parts work, attachment theory, mind-body therapy, guided visualization, somatic and movement based therapy. I am trauma focused and informed with an understanding of how systemic oppression contributes to illness, especially for those whose identities are devalued or erased.

25+ yrs of post-licensure experience. Co-owner of Existential-Dynamic Associates. I see counseling as a collaborative process designed to help you overcome problems & live more fully. I believe that seeing yourself & others with compassion & acceptance is a path to well-being & meaning. I have an engaging, experiential style. I also lecture domestically & internationally on anger management, mindful eating, & perfectionism. My approach to self-criticalness was validated by an independent research team. I am on the Advisory Board of The Mindfulness Project (London, UK).

Our aim is to create a collaborative, person-centered healing relationship with clients. The dynamic of this co-created space is one where you can explore and find your unique tools, techniques, and strengths to empower your authentic self, as well as your understanding of the world around us. Our intention in all levels of our work is to decolonize the therapeutic space. We are LGBTQIA2S+ affirming and sex-positive. We are dedicated to the continuous engagement--both professionally and personally--that this requires. Most of us identify as queer and/or neurodivergent, and several of us also live with chronic illnesses. We believe that clients have the right to interview their clinicians and choose someone they can ask questions to and get honest answers!

I enjoy working with people who are experiencing difficulty managing their emotions, and feel a loss of control or direction in their lives. If anger, depression, mood swings, anxiety, or past traumas are making life and your relationships with others problematic, I want to help! My approach to therapy is relaxed and down-to-earth. I will collaborate with you, in a respectful, nonjudgemental, and supportive manner. By increasing self-awareness, you will be better able to understand the barriers keeping you from happiness, and our work together will help you to develop your strengths, coping skills, and confidence.

There is incredible knowledge and healing potential within each of us. My job as your therapist is to carry the flashlight as we explore your inner world together. I work with adults ages 18+ on a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity, psychosis, gender and sexual identity, relationships and more. I offer therapy to individuals and couples. If you are searching for an accepting, supportive space where your concerns will be heard and never dismissed, I encourage you to schedule an appointment. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I offer a safe, affirming space to people of all genders, sexualities and relationship styles. I specialize in helping queer, neurodivergent adults self-advocate, set boundaries and navigate adversity, trauma and life transitions. I have in-person openings in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood and virtually across PA. Reach out today to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation.

Eating disorders rarely develop in isolation. Often, they begin as brilliant adaptations; ways of coping with overwhelming emotions, painful relationships, unmet attachment needs, or experiences that have felt difficult to carry alone. While these patterns may have once helped you survive, they can eventually leave you feeling disconnected from yourself, your body, and your relationships. Healing begins with understanding your story before trying to change it and honoring the ways you've learned to survive while creating space for new experiences of safety, connection, and self-compassion. My approach is person-centered, relational, and attachment-focused. I am an Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist (IEDS) and am fully trained in EMDR. I integrate EMDR, ACT, DBT, RO-DBT, parts work, and psychodynamic therapy into my work with clients. My practice is anti-diet and grounded in Health at Every Size (HAES). I believe healing happens in relationship. The therapeutic relationship can become a place where new experiences of safety, trust, and connection begin to take root. Whether you're struggling with restriction, binge eating, purging, body image distress, or the lasting impact of trauma, you don’t have to navigate recovery alone.

I work with students who struggle with managing their emotional, behavioral, and social needs. I know that therapy can be initially uncomfortable and/or anxiety provoking, yet I create a safe and supportive space for my patients. The therapeutic relationship is extremely important in my practice, as I believe that we need to work together in order to meet your goals and improve your overall quality of life. I will always bring honesty and compassion into our sessions. I utilize various approaches and interventions to target each individual's needs and to create the best treatment for you. I utilize techniques from CBT, ACT, and mindfulness practices. However, I tailor my practice and choose interventions that best suit your symptoms. I have extensive experience working with anxiety, relationship difficulties, and depression. I am offering and accepting referrals for ADHD neuropsychological testing as well. Feel free to reach out to me directly by phone or email to see if we would be a good fit. I offer in person and virtual sessions. My goal is to teach you skills and offer a different perspective to lead a fulfilling life. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions; I look forward to working together!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

At Strong Foundations, we understand that finding the right mental health provider can be a daunting task. Please see our website for a full list of services we offer and description of our counselors. As a practice, our highest priority is providing supportive, personalized, and effective care to every individual and family. We offer individual therapy, neuropsychological testing, family & marital therapy. We use evidence-based treatment methods, including CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and PCIT. Our therapists offer daytime, evening, and some weekend hours to accommodate busy schedules. Sessions can be scheduled in person or virtually. Please call (412) 368-2211 to schedule an appointment or contact us via email: support@sfpgh.com

I am pleased that you are here. I know it is not easy to take this first step, but I want you to know first and foremost, that I take great care and pride in creating a safe place for my clients to talk about their internal conflicts, interpersonal problems, traumas, and whatever is interfering with living a fuller, richer life. I bring to my clinical practice a great deal of skills coupled with passion to engage in a meaningful therapeutic relationship. I invite clients to increase their self-awareness while aspiring to high levels of wellness: biologically, psychologically, relationally, sexually and spiritually. I offer a safe space free of judgment, filled with compassion and kindness towards your own process. My theoretical orientation to counseling is rooted in humanistic theories with underlying existentialism and phenomenological philosophies. I firmly believe in the therapeutic alliance and its curative power, in addition to striving to look at all situations from a sex positive, non-shaming, and non-judgmental lens.

We all want to be happy. We may feel stuck or face challenges. Getting support from someone on the outside, in the counseling or psychology field, can help you gain a new perspective. You can learn to make better choices, feel less anxious and feel more optimistic; find peace in the day-to-day. In my practice, I see adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families, and here’s a little bit about how I work: I work in the here-and-now and have background training in Gestalt theory and utilize a variety of psychotherapy techniques. I take a creative and practical approach to counseling that allows you to understand more quickly what drives you and helps you identify new and better ways of living. Quieting the “noise” that distracts you will help so you can focus your energy on what’s meaningful and fulfilling. I earned my masters in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2007 and went on to complete the necessary 3+ years of post-graduate training to qualify for a psychotherapy license in the state of PA. I am paneled with many of the major commercial insurance plans as well as several employee assistance programs. During my 17 years experience as a counselor and research clinician, I was trained to utilize several semi-structured interviewing tools such as KSADS, SCID, and ISCA-D. I have published social psychology testing materials at the University of Pittsburgh while working on several major nationally-funded depression and anxiety studies under Doctors Birmaher, Axelson, and Kovacs. In 2010, I spent a year as a volunteer with the Good Grief Center of Pittsburgh where I had extensive training in grief counseling.In addition to my clinical skills, I hold a substance abuse education/SAP certification from UPMC. In addition to my clinical skills, I hold a substance abuse education/SAP certification from UPMC. Both my creative approach to counseling as well as my comprehensive diagnostic experience help formulate a plan of action that can help put you on the path to recovery. A Unique Approach Therapy should be as unique you are. We don’t wear the same clothes or read the same books. People respond differently to different types of interventions, so I always tailor treatment to respond to the your specific needs and situation. My goal is to leave you with strategies, communication skills, and new ways of thinking. Research shows that cultivating skills learned in therapy help people manage anxiety more easily and thrive their lives. I help people with a variety of issues, and I have particular expertise in: Depression and Anxiety Grief Overcoming Creative and Emotional Blocks Career and Life Transitions Child and Adolescent Therapy/IEP and School Consultation Experience Substance Abuse/Anger Management Life Coaching/Stress Management Couples Counseling Panic Disorders/Phobias OCD PTSD

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you achieve, your anxiety, stress, or burnout never lets up? Perfectionism, overthinking, or past trauma may leave you tense, stuck, or constantly on edge. Your body might feel wired, your mind keeps racing, and you can’t fully relax even when life seems “fine.” You want relief, better focus, and a calmer, steadier nervous system. You want to thrive without being trapped by overwhelm, worry, or patterns that keep you from feeling truly present—and maybe even laugh a little along the way. I specialize in anxiety, chronic stress, and nervous system dysregulation. Using trauma-informed and somatic approaches, I help you regulate your nervous system, address patterns from past experiences, and, when appropriate, use Brainspotting for deeper trauma processing. You don’t have to manage anxiety or stress alone. Therapy is a space to feel supported, slow down, and create meaningful change. We may even use humor to lighten the load and help your nervous system settle. If this approach resonates, I invite you to reach out and explore whether we are a good fit.

I have spent the last 15 years working with clients across the lifespan with a variety of needs, specializing in life transitions, navigating change, personal growth and development, anxiety and depression, and helping clients to uncover the origin point or root cause of their symptoms, and heal from there. My background as an energy healing practitioner and mindfulness meditation teacher inform my multi-dimensional approach, which is grounded in presence, practicality, and play.

I often work with individuals in recovery, teens, college students, young adults, and more. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals focusing on self-discovery, empowerment, and identity exploration. I also work with individuals struggling with religious trauma or spiritual concerns.

Strong Foundations was founded and is actively managed by a licensed child psychologist, ensuring our practice prioritizes the highest quality of care in psychotherapy and assessments. Guided by the ethical principles of our field, our primary mission is to provide the best possible match between patient and provider. We don’t focus on filling schedules—we take on new clients only when we are confident we have the tools and training to help them effectively. Strong Foundations began in 2018 with a simple goal: to create a team of exceptional providers who work collaboratively to address the mental health needs of our community. We’re proud to have achieved that vision and continue to work diligently every day to maintain the quality and trust our clients have come to expect.

I feel the most important aspect of counseling is the relationship between the counselor and client. If we are able to create a genuine relationship that is grounded in authenticity and trust, we can further your understanding of yourself, your experiences, and how you engage with the world. I aim to help people by cultivating a safe environment where thoughts and emotions can be deeply felt, and where we can discover what steps you can take in your life that better align with your values. Through counseling, we can learn how to acknowledge thoughts, feelings, and past experiences without having them overwhelm or define us. I believe that the present is the most important time to be in; however, many things from the past (or even the future) can hold us back from experiencing what is going on around us. When we are able to process our past and our future, we are finally able to connect with the current moment we are living in. I have worked with people experiencing different challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, interpersonal stress, and identity/self-esteem issues. Ultimately, I am passionate about working with anyone who feels “stuck” and wants to find meaning in their life. Moving forward is possible, no matter how long you have felt stagnant.

Hi! I'm from Pittsburgh and proud to be practicing in my home town. Therapy ranges from directive to less structured approaches. Directive approaches involve identifying a specific problem and starting interventions including skill building for the client. Less directive therapy involves self exploration and understanding our symptoms in an interpersonal context. These two approaches can be combined, tailored to the client. The client's responsibility is committing to therapy, and showing up weekly at the designated time, and engaging in the process. While the therapist is an expert in psychology, the client is an expect in themselves and is ultimately the source of change and improvement. I see myself as a guide, helping the client see things they may have missed or avoided, and making connections that wouldn't otherwise be obvious. The process is collaborative and frequently rewarding.