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8 therapists available in Pittsburgh
As someone who has struggled with my own mental health, my approach is always to meet everyone exactly where they are to serve as ...
About
As someone who has struggled with my own mental health, my approach is always to meet everyone exactly where they are to serve as their GPS to help guide them along on their own personal journey.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 7 years of experience supporting individuals through personal, emotional, and life-transition challenges. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum concerns, and adjustment to life-altering medical diagnoses or transplants. My background includes work in enhanced outpatient settings and individual therapy, treating a wide range of diagnoses and clinical presentations. I believe therapy is a collaborative journey, and I strive to create a supportive space where clients feel understood, empowered, and guided toward meaningful change.
I earned my master’s in clinical mental health counseling from California University of Pennsylvania. My approach is client-centered and tailored to each individual’s unique needs, strengths, and goals.
Taking the first step toward therapy and inviting someone into your personal thoughts and experiences can feel overwhelming. I understand how important it is to find a therapist who feels like the right fit. If you are seeking compassionate guidance and a collaborative therapeutic relationship, I would be honored to support you on your journey forward.
Education and training
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Dzana Saynes is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with over 25 years of experience helping adult clients who are coping with...
Dzana Saynes is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with over 25 years of experience helping adult clients who are coping with ADHD/trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, difficult life transitions, anger management, and more.
Dzana earned her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She is from Lithuania originally and immigrated to the US in 2004 with her son. She always had a dream to meet her family in the U.S. As a therapist, she loves to provide a non-judgmental and safe environment to talk about family issues. Dzana utilizes a multicultural counseling approach that is integrated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused, person-centered, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment, and existential therapy approaches.
Dzana's belief is that a unique approach to life changes and personal difficulties can be accomplished through cooperative engagements toward improving or making powerful changes in your unique life situations. She specializes in helping clients to improve interpersonal skills, reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, develop better cognitive and emotional skills, and improve self-esteem.
As a therapist, I understand that it can be hard to open up to someone, but I want therapy to feel like getting a cup of coffee wi...
As a therapist, I understand that it can be hard to open up to someone, but I want therapy to feel like getting a cup of coffee with a friend.
Rachel Hill is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, who is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults to help them become the best version of themselves. She has experience working with a wide range of mental health issues and daily life stressors. These experiences include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anger, and ADHD. Rachel specializes in depression, anxiety, life transitions, ADHD, anger, grief, and stress.
Rachel completed her Master of Counseling at Geneva College. Rachel utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy. She also uses a client-centered approach and views the person as a whole rather than just many parts.
Rachel understands that life is stressful and brings a lot of complicated feelings. She is confident that therapy can help an individual cope with these stressors. Rachel knows that therapy can be a stressful event, but it doesn’t always have to feel like that. If you’re ready to be a better version of yourself, schedule an appointment with her today!
As a queer-identified therapist, with years of experience helping people achieve their goals and find their identities with pride,...
As a queer-identified therapist, with years of experience helping people achieve their goals and find their identities with pride, I am looking forward to the opportunity to help you find a connection with yourself and help you achieve your goals!
Abi Watterson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience. Abi is an advocate and passionate about helping people reach their goals, connect with themselves and identify and work towards the lives they want to be living. Abi specializes in LGBTQIQA+ issues, gender development and expression, helping clients maintain recovery from substances while working through mental health trauma and coping strategies, and has experience in treating depression, anxiety and diagnosis with psychosis.
Abi completed their Master's degree in Counseling at Slippery Rock University. Abi is passionate about identity and equality for all. They utilize multiple treatment approaches to ensure a warm and inviting personality and capable treatment for a variety of concerns.
Abi knows the journey can be tough, but is confident that there is a path forward and a healthy way through the struggles you are facing, and is ready to face those challenges with you together. They can't wait to hear about the exciting changes you want to make. Schedule your session today.
It can be hard to find a safe place to open up and share your life. As one that has experience with a lot of different experiences...
It can be hard to find a safe place to open up and share your life. As one that has experience with a lot of different experiences in the counseling field, I will provide a safe, comfortable place for you to share.
Heather Hodges is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 6 years of experience working with kids as young as 4, elderly clients, and everyone in between. She is driven and passionate about helping kids, adolescents, and adults overcome the hardships that life brings. Heather has a vast amount of experience working with addiction, depression, anxiety, life adjustments, and much more. She will strive to help you reach your potential and wants to meet you where you are. Heather has a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Slippery Rock University.
Heather utilizes a solution-focused approach, focusing on creating and reaching goals in therapy to promote growth in areas the client would like to focus on. She also uses a reality approach along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and an eclectic approach, pending on the needs of her clients.
Heather wants to meet you where you are. She is ready and able to support your needs and help you begin the therapy process. If you are ready to start, schedule an appointment with her today.
Kelley Marron is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in mental health for 18 years. Kelley has a wide range of ...
Kelley Marron is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in mental health for 18 years. Kelley has a wide range of experience working in clinical, educational, and community-based settings. She believes in a person-centered, non-judgmental approach to treatment that focuses on acceptance. Kelley specializes in depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, stress management, and women’s issues. Kelley earned her Master of Social Work Degree and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Kelley uses evidence-based approaches that are tailored to meet the individual needs of the client. She has an extensive background in utilizing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Kelley is trained in trauma therapy and is mindful of providing trauma-informed care in her sessions.
Kelley strives to make each client feel like they are heard and encourages them to feel like their story matters. Kelley recognizes the importance of creating a safe, nurturing environment to encourage clients to feel supported and seen as they work on their therapeutic goals.
As a Licensed Social Worker, I understand how systems within our society impact our lives and how to assistance changing them....
As a Licensed Social Worker, I understand how systems within our society impact our lives and how to assistance changing them.
Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Certified Social Worker (LCCSW) in Maryland and Pennsylvania. She is passionate about educating people about domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Michelle works with adults with anxiety, depression, along with those with trauma.
Michelle received her Bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University and Master’s degree in Social Work from Indiana University. Michelle uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach in treatment along with other therapeutic interventions.
We all go through challenges in life. Michelle is confident that she would be able to support you on your journey to gain new perspectives that allow you to cope with life struggles. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today.
Holly Blass is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with her clients by meeting them at their pace and need level to ac...
Holly Blass is Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with her clients by meeting them at their pace and need level to achieve their personal goals, decrease negative symptoms, improve interpersonal relationships, and increase quality of life. Holly has 7 years of experience in the mental health field.
Holly completed her Master of Arts (MA) in Couples, Marriage and Family Therapy at Kutztown University. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused CBT, ecosystemic structural family therapy, and techniques developed by the Gottman Institute. Holly incorporates a trauma informed approach to help facilitate a feeling of safety, trust, and build a strong therapeutic alliance with each of her clients.
Holly works to help her clients feel empowered, even in their vulnerability, and help them regain control over their own narrative to make lasting positive change. She acknowledges the possible hesitation behind initiating and maintaining change, and works to understand her clients and meet them with flexibility.
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My go -to approach for helping people with grief and loss is to validate their feelings whatever they are and explain that grief can look different than people expect. Grief is very personal and no one should be afraid of grieving the wrong way. I provide psychoeducation on the grief process and explain that we don't necessarily stop grieving but it changes over time. Grief is what you need it to be. My style is eclectic so I prefer to adapt my methods to meet their needs and this changes as therapy progresses. This allows for continued progress as the client's needs change.
These are some of the tools or coping skills that I teach for grief and loss:
I know a client is making meaningful progress when they report using skills that they learned in therapy to help them process their grief and improve daily functioning. Clients often report they are making progress when they start to feel more like themselves again.
Clients can supplement their time in grief counseling with reading articles or books to increase their knowledge and understanding. I often make suggestions or send links to articles that are specific to their needs or concerns. If you find information on your own it is always a good idea to ask your therapist to confirm that the information is accurate especially for information found on social media or online videos.
To prepare for your first grief and loss counseling session, you can: Make a list of questions and/or concerns. Bring a list of any medications that you are taking, prescription, OTC and supplements. Have a list of prior mental health treatments with dates and names if possible. But most of all be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be open to the idea exploring your thoughts and emotions.
Grief and loss counseling helps people grieve difficult losses including the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. It helps people navigate their grief process and eventually accept, understand, and move forward from their loss. Thriveworks grief therapists in Pittsburgh, PA have specific experience, training, and skills that enable them to best support grieving individuals.
Grief and loss counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it involves sharing about your loss and then working with your counselor to acknowledge and accept your new reality in its wake. Your provider at Thriveworks in Pittsburgh, PA will design your treatment plan around your unique needs and goals for therapy, applying the counseling techniques that best support them.
If you have recently experienced an event like the death of a loved one, a breakup or divorce, the loss of a job, or another major life change, then you may want to seek grief and loss counseling. Grief can be caused by many experiences and events, so if you feel that you are having trouble moving on from a certain event or find that it is still impacting your life and functioning, grief and loss counseling can help you process it more effectively so that you can move on and once again find fulfillment and satisfaction in your life.
There are many counseling theories for treating grief, one of the most frequently used being the dual process model of grief which helps people acknowledge who or what they’ve lost through rumination while also adjusting to the new roles and identities that this loss has now placed on them. There are also many commonly used therapy approaches used in grief and loss counseling, including Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and traumatic grief therapy.
Grief & loss counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
For many, grief and loss counseling lasts for about 6 months. For others, it may last shorter or longer, depending on the severity of their loss and their grief.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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