Therapists in Altoona, PA

My approach is personalized for individuals committed to personal growth and open to new experiences. Join me in a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and healing as I provide compassionate guidance through life's ups and downs. I specialize in assisting primary children (ages 8-12) adolescents (ages 13+), adults, and couples who are seeking guidance in navigating life's complexities. I focus on addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, co-dependency, anger management, self-esteem, trauma, peer issues, school issues, divorce, and relationship challenges.

We provide counseling services to individuals, couples and families through Western Pennsylvania. Whether you are seeking treatment as an individual adult, a child, or teen, our multi-specialty approach will support your goals of resolving emotional, psychological, and relationship issues. For couples and families, our mental health specialists are experts in supporting your relationship as you gain greater friendship, intimacy, and communication barriers.

My experience is helping individuals and families overcome emotional, mental and spiritual challenges. I will help you identify unhealthy patterns that get in the way of you having a healthy and enjoyable life. We will learn and use positive coping skills and self-awareness skills to help you have satisfaction, fulfillment, growth and to experience new ways of being. My specialties include family problems, depression, mood and anxiety disorders, problems with self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief and loss issues, trauma/sexual abuse, work issues, life transition issues, parenting, women's issues and anger management.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience with all age groups and various diverse populations. I provide mental health and behavioral health services to children and their families. I provide couples counseling and marital counseling as well as co-parenting counseling that are mandated or not by the court. I am trauma certified and have extensive experience in this area and in various evidenced based therapies such as EMDR, ACT, CPT, CBT, DBT, Play Therapy, etc. I utilize various modalities as well as help people cope with their problem areas.

The fundamental skill that I share with psychotherapy clients is to listen deeply to their life experiences. From there, I use questions carefully to clarify my understanding of where they are in life. I work to help people understand that they are not broken or defective. As Carl Rogers said "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." I accompany clients on a journey of self-exploration, and evolution. A more satisfying life is achieved via greater psychological skill and creating healthier behaviors. I specialize in working with people suffering from Childhood PTSD & narcissistic abuse.

All psychological issues are ultimately existential in origin, entailing a confrontation with death, loss, meaning, purpose and value. All that we do (knowingly or unknowingly) is dedicated to deciphering these daunting and irrepressible demands of existence. Few are successful in resolving or even clearly conceptualizing these existential issues and their minds inevitably descend into despair, depression and anxiety. Some seek to assuage their suffering with psychoactive substances (illicit and licit) and this leads only to addiction and abdication of autonomy over one's authentic self. My System offers a solution.

Evil exists because people can't tell their stories.

Many of us have been emotionally wounded by family members, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and/or strangers. Psychological suffering can take on many forms, showing up in our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships. Sometimes it can be experienced as sadness, depression, worry, anxiety, etc. This form of suffering, while painful, often points to the parts of ourselves that invite healing. And while the challenges of living with such experiences can be immense, they also present opportunities for growth. The truth is that you can find peace of mind, solace in your heart, and live joyfully, regardless of your past.

The funny thing about life's hurts, they generally do not just get better on their own. Running from a problem is a race we will never win. My goal is to create a warm safe and relaxed place for you to explore, to discuss, to learn and maybe laugh. The outcome is for you to feel empowered in your life and to have HOPE. Changing or healing often require learning new skills so my approach is as much about coaching as it is about counseling. My primary counseling modes are Cognitive Dissonance and Reframing and REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy). Together we create the tools for HOPE that are custom made for you.

Fulfilling our potential is a lifelong journey of becoming more at peace with ourselves, deepening the intimacy in our relationships, being more authentically human, and feeling more alive each day. Along the way, certain challenges arise to cause us distress or confusion. Such moments can make us feel held back, afraid, or unsure of where to go from here. But these moments can also be the points of growth and healing from which we renew ourselves in ways we did not think possible.

I am a holistic psychotherapist, trained in medical hypnotherapy,EMDR, Energy Psychology (TFT/EFT), Family Constellation work, and energy and shamanic healing in private practice in Pittsburgh. I work primarily with adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. I have trained extensively in the integration of different therapeutic modalities in order to facilitate healing and integration of the body, mind and spirit. I am also a student of meditation and teach the "Awakening the Light Body" meditation curriculum offered as both a pathway of personal transformation and as a therapeutic treatment model.

I believe that every person has the innate ability to heal, grow, and overcome even the most challenging of situations. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Art Therapist and Gestalt Therapist I work to help people find their own inner strength, overcome challenges and improve relationships. I use mindfulness training, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and have completed the Gestalt Institute of Pittsburgh’s two year training program. My goal is to help you to find your own inner path to healing so that you will always know how to take care of yourself no matter what may come your way.

As an experienced therapist, I approach each client as an individual, with unique stories, experiences, and struggles; it is my intention to help each person develop a deeper and more postive understanding of themselves, and hopefully the world around them, including their relationships and activities; I believe we are all given gifts and abilties and my goal ultimately as a therapist is to assist in others discovery and developing the qualites that make them unique and can lead to a satisfactory and meaningful existence. I believe in learning about clients in a non-judgemental and person centered manner.

Falling out of alignment in life is a natural consequence to the perceived conditions of stress, that may come from work, relationships, health issues, financial issues, the loss of a loved one, injury, divorce, etc. Happiness is our natural state. Unhappiness is unnatural, that's why it feels so awful when one's life is turned upside down and into a spiral of chaos and uncertainty. The key to an upsetting experience is to talk with someone trained to understand, support and help you return to your center. Learn more at www.getcenteredcounseling.org

Healing is often hard, but it can also be joyful and lead to a more fulfilling life and improved relationships. I would be honored to accompany you on your journey toward happiness, acceptance, greater intimacy, peace, and recovery. I will work closely with you to monitor how you are feeling and match your pace in a supportive, safe environment. I would like to assist you in understanding how you have learned to cope with various situations, and how these same coping skills may be getting in your way now. I work from the Person-Centered therapy approach to empower you to acquire a new layer of understanding of who and where you are.

“There's a complete breakdown in communication.” Relationships are often a union of opposites. Family backgrounds and life philosophies are different. So, it’s no surprise that conflicts arise. When it comes to how we handle that conflict, one partner wants to brush it under the rug and hopes it passes, while the other wants to come at it head-on. If we are not careful, resentment emerges. Couples therapy builds a better relationship for BOTH of you. Improving communication, parenting, trust, intimacy, and conflict management will make your relationship more satisfying.

I enjoy helping people bring their best into the world. Whether that means to be a better partner, a more effective parent or simply to release negative beliefs that hold you back from using your talents to their fullest, I am honored to help. My warmth and curiosity can help you face whatever gets in your way. Sometimes that is grief, or trauma, sometimes unfinished business from childhood. I believe that everyone can tap into inner strength and wisdom, gaining confidence and greater joy in the process. A shift in consciousness can make a world of difference.

Our skilled doctoral-level therapists offer personalized and comprehensive psychological care. Together, we help with most mood, behavioral, relational, and life transition issues. You will receive an assessment of your psychological health and a personalized plan to fit your unique needs, goals, and life situation. Most importantly, you will develop insights and strategies to take therapy “on the go.”