Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

At Sensory and Sensibility, our therapists can help you with anxiety, depression, family issues, sexuality or gender identity exploration, and all kinds of other concerns. We tailor your therapy to fit your needs, using a variety of evidence-based therapies, including cultural-relational, mind-body, attachment-based, cognitive/insight based, strengths-based and trauma focused. Feel free to reach out to schedule a free initial phone call to see if any of our therapists would be a good fit for you.

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.

I work primarily with college students and young adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and general life stressors. I have many years of experiencing working at different universities in the Pittsburgh area, which is helpful to my work with students as I am particularly knowledgeable about resources, common stressors students at each school experience, and how best to navigate university systems when you are struggling emotionally. I am experienced in supporting international, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ students. I have a warm, conversational style, and am adept at helping students gain skills and discover tools for managing their emotional struggles at the pace that works best for them.

Are you ready to: Make a change? Make a decision? Find a solution? Explore who you are? Explore what you want? Or maybe all of the above? Let me help you enhance your power. It can be difficult to seek therapy, yet it can be empowering once you’ve begun. My clinical approach is grounded in humanistic and person centered therapies which allows me to continuously adapt and grow based on the needs of my clients and their personal experiences. Since 2014, I have been a practicing clinician aiding individuals with a wide range of subject matter within various treatment environments. I have found the best outcomes arise from collaboration in the therapeutic alliance. Together we identify patterns, understand motives/points of view, and integrate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My goal is to aid in positive outcomes derived from awareness, skill building, holistic well-being, and healing. Modalities: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Challenging Thoughts, Reality Therapy

Mark Thomas, PhD, DBSM, is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist who is passionate about improving patients' sleep. Dr. Thomas earned his doctoral in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his clinical internship at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He received specialized behavioral sleep medicine training and experience during his postdoctoral fellowship at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, where he addressed a wide range of sleep issues in Veterans. He is the founder of Restore Sleep Health, a telehealth private practice offering evidence-based therapy to adults with sleep disorders. Dr. Thomas’ clinical work is focused on the treatment of sleep issues including insomnia, PAP adherence, circadian rhythm disorders, and nightmares.

Looking for a compassionate, trauma-informed space to grow your sense of empowerment? My approach to therapy starts with building a therapeutic relationship with authenticity and humor. Let’s get to know each other to find out if we’re a good fit! I specialize in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders in young adults and college students. I frequently work with queer and trans individuals, neurodiverse clients, and anyone hoping to reconnect with their emotions. I am confident in helping survivors of complex trauma revisit and process painful memories, then ground in the present moment before leaving the therapy office. I have received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Integrated Treatment for Complex Trauma. I also incorporate principles of mindfulness and somatic therapy that emphasize the mind-body connection. While my style is informed by these modalities, each session will be unique to your preferences, needs, and goals.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has expertise in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. I provide individual therapy to those who want to enjoy life and get to know themselves better in the process. Through my experience, I have learned the value of an interactive and collaborative environment to best support my client’s growth and development. I take a client-centered and strength-based approach to treatment. I utilize various therapeutic interventions based on the individual client’s needs and interests. This includes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, play, art, music, and writing.

Hello! I am Jessica Rose. I am a licensed clinical social worker. I have a BA in Psychology and an MSW in Social Work. I have been working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families in a therapeutic capacity for over 13 years. I have experience working in a variety of settings such as public schools, alternative schools, crisis teams, hospitals, homes, and juvenile detention centers. My guiding principles are validating feelings, active listening, and using humor and open communication as a means to build a trusting therapeutic relationship. I am a reliable, consistent support for my clients. I believe in genuine positive regard, being non-judgmental, being warm, understanding, and empathetic.

At Creating Connections Counseling, we believe that anyone can benefit from counseling. If you find yourself struggling with the challenges of life, counseling services can help you to clarify your thoughts and emotions and put them in proper context to guide you forward. Counseling can be a vehicle to finding or maintaining healthy relationships, uncovering hidden passions, managing symptoms of mental illness, and establishing life goals for those who feel stuck. Our team of licensed clinicians in the Pittsburgh region are available to guide you through the journey of self-examination and personal growth that all people deserve. Creating Connections Counseling is a safe space where all are welcome. We believe in the intrinsic value of all human beings and are here to serve all who seek our help.

I believe in using a holistic, strength based approach that builds on your current assets to help you achieve your goals. I work collaboratively with you to focus on individual whole health, which includes identifying your aspirations and emphasizing empowerment and self care. I have experience creating a safe and warm environment in which to incorporate evidenced based interventions and coping strategies to help improve focus and manage anxiety, grief, and depression. I also utilize expressive arts to help identify unique, creative approaches to help you improve the quality of your life. My background includes over 25 years of experience in community and school based mental health settings with diverse populations including children, adolescents, and adults. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Art Therapist.

Brynne has a history of working with college age students in an outpatient setting. Brynne works with students in all stages of their college experience. From students who are taking 1-2 classes to students who are in technical schools to students working on certificates to students who are non-traditional students to students who are working on their associates to their bachelors, master’s, PhD and/or MD degrees. She has assisted young adults with navigating the transition to college, learning coping skills and life skills, and managing evolving relationships and life stressors while adjusting to setting safe and healthy boundaries in their lives. Brynne also has a history of working with students who have moved from other countries to pursue their education in the United States of America. She has worked with the students to assist them in working through their emotions related to becoming acclimated to a new country, learning/incorporating new cultural norms, navigating familial expectations and other feelings as they arise.

Over the past 23 years, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked in a wide variety of clinical settings that have included inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient mental health, mobile mental health, WRAP services, psychiatric rehabilitation and case management services. As a result of working in such a vast array of settings, I have gained knowledge and experience working with a wide variety of mental health disorders. As a clinician who has previously provided case management services to individuals in the community, I am familiar with how to provide linkage to services and resources so that I can best support my clients when necessary. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of PA, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of OH, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of FL. I have also obtained several other certifications: National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) Board-Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider (BC-TMH) Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGS) I believe that individuals are doing the best that they can given the skills and resources that they have available to them. It is my job as a therapist to educate, support and guide my clients on their journey to self discovery and growth. It’s important to me to focus on what’s important to my client and to strive to meet them where they are. I look forward to accompanying you on your journey!

Serenity Counseling, LLC, was created to provide competent psychological counseling while maintaining the utmost confidentiality, respecting the various cultural differences between clients and practicing ethically and responsibly. Serenity Counseling provides an objective, non-judgmental atmosphere where clients will be validated, empowered and encouraged. Serenity Counseling LLC consists of professional therapists, licensed in the State of Pennsylvania and Certified by National Boards. Serenity Counseling features support for a variety of stressors

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.

If life has been feeling stuck, confusing, or overwhelming, let’s slow things down together. I'm here to listen closely to your lived experience and the stories that have shaped it. My work is grounded in narrative therapy, which means we will pay attention to how problems have come to influence your life and how your preferred values and hopes might guide us forward. We'll stay close to what matters most to you, exploring what you want your life to stand for and supporting steps that move you closer to that direction, one conversation at a time. My approach is collaborative, with your voice guiding what feels most important. I ask questions that invite reflection and new possibilities, and I'm transparent about my thinking. If you want therapy that feels human, thoughtful, and respectful of your context, we may be a good fit. If you would like to see whether we fit, reach out through the contact options on this page. You can share a sentence or two about what you want help with, along with any scheduling needs. I'll respond with what I can offer and what next steps could look like.

Todd Pungratz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and over a decade of experience supporting individuals through life’s most complex and meaningful challenges. His career has taken him through hospital settings, primary care clinics, and community mental health, where he’s worked with people facing trauma, grief, mood and thought disorders, substance use, and neurodivergence. He draws from a range of evidence-based approaches – including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care – and collaborates with prescribers when medication is part of your healing process. Todd offers a safe, nonjudgmental space in which clients can feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward at their own pace.

I specialize in supporting international students as they navigate the unique challenges of adapting to a new culture, managing academic pressures, and balancing personal and family expectations. Together, we can work through feelings of homesickness, anxiety, identity shifts, or loneliness in a safe, nonjudgmental space. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, with a focus on building resilience, fostering self-awareness, and helping students feel more grounded and connected.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

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!