Our therapists offer addiction counseling in Pittsburgh, PA

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 40 years of experience supporting adults navigating mood disorders, anxiety, substance use challenges, daily living stressors, and the impacts of childhood or sexual trauma. Throughout my career, I have focused on helping clients heal, regain stability, and build healthier ways of coping. My approach is compassionate, steady, and grounded in creating a safe space where you feel seen, understood, and supported as you work toward meaningful change.

I earned my master’s in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior skills, and psychodynamic principles to help clients strengthen insight, shift unhelpful patterns, and progress toward lasting recovery.

I believe mental health therapy is both a process and a journey, and every step forward matters. My goal is to walk alongside you as you gain confidence, release shame, and move toward emotional clarity and peace. It would be my honor to support you on your path to healing.

I am a licensed professional counselor with 14 years of experience providing mental health services to individuals across the lifespan. I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders. My experience across multiple settings allows me to support individuals with complex and co-occurring mental health needs.

I hold a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Alliant International University. My approach is evidence-based and collaborative, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and person-centered therapy to support insight, coping skills, and emotional regulation.

Seeking support is a meaningful and courageous step. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you feel understood and empowered to make meaningful change. When you are ready, I invite you to take the next step and begin this work together.

Layla Bruzda is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment, as well as outpatient mental health treatment for adolescents and adults. She is helping clients to address substance use problems, trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, ADHD symptoms, grief/loss, relationship problems, communication/conflict resolution, legal involvement, and day-to-day life stressors.

Layla earned a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She uses a person-centered approach to help clients achieve their goals. She utilizes cognitive behavior therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, motivational Interviewing, and other approaches based on individual needs and goals.

Layla believes that everyone deserves to live a peaceful and fulfilling life, despite past mistakes or difficult life experiences. She recognizes that carrying around this emotional weight can be physically and mentally exhausting, or lead to feeling "stuck." Layla's goal is to help clients process these issues to lighten the weight of life's challenges.

Darby Testa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania. In her 10 years of direct care and supervisory experience, she has worked to promote social justice for individuals and care systems. Darby has extensive training and experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are affected by chronic health conditions, sleep, disorders, mood disorders, dysfunctional relationships, and coping. She is open-minded, non-judgmental, and compassionate.

Darby earned her Master's degree from the University of Michigan. She works to support individuals and couples to enhance or develop skills to manage life stressors, mood disruptions, and communication by building on their existing strengths. With a strong background in both mental health and addiction treatment, Darby competently and comfortably treats behavioral health disorders. Treating the person, not just the problem or its symptoms, is critical to long-term success in therapy. Darby seeks to understand you and your world and help you to adapt to its changing demands.

Darby will help you to identify your goals from session one. She understands that any life change has benefits and drawbacks worth exploring and will meet you where you are with readiness and willingness to change, to help make the most impact. Whatever your motivation, Darby is ready to listen. As a trauma survivor and care provider, she is deeply invested in her client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy process.