Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA
Understanding that our experiences are shaped by the environments we live in—our communities, culture, and relationships—I take a trauma-informed and relational approach to therapy. My work is grounded in the belief that healing begins when we feel seen, safe, and connected. I aim to create a space where you can explore your emotions, express yourself freely, and begin to reconnect with your body and sense of self. As an art therapist, I believe creativity can be a powerful pathway to understanding and transformation. In our sessions, we might use artmaking, mindfulness, or gentle somatic practices to help you express what words can’t always capture. These creative tools can support regulation, insight, and a deeper connection to your inner world. My practice integrates mindfulness, person-centered, and feminist frameworks, and I work collaboratively with each client to find what feels most supportive. I specialize in working with anxiety, life transitions, women’s issues, and LGBTQ+ concerns, and I strive to provide an affirming space where all identities and experiences are honored. I see therapy as a collaborative and compassionate process—one where we explore not just what feels painful, but also what brings meaning, resilience, and joy. My goal is to help you cultivate a sense of internal safety and confidence as you move toward a more grounded, authentic version of yourself. Outside of my work as a therapist, I find joy in thrifting and antiquing, or getting lost in a good fantasy novel alongside my two cats, Cricket and Jerry. If my approach resonates with you, I invite you to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I’d be honored to connect and support you on your healing journey.
My office is a safe space for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation; everyone is welcome here. I believe that everyone is human first, and no two people are alike. I use an individualized approach to best suit my clients' needs and I work diligently to facilitate a strong therapeutic bond and create a safe, nonjudgmental space with every interaction. It takes a village and I am here to be part of yours.
You're not going crazy! The stress of our early 20's and college years is woefully underestimated. It is often the time when we will experience our first serious bout of depression, or paralyzing anxiety. You may have managed to keep some of this at bay through high school, but now you feel like you've hit a wall - just when you were "supposed to be" independent. I specialize in empowering young women to navigate this period of transition with clarity, insight, and choice. It is often said that crisis creates opportunity. Now is your opportunity. Let's talk!
I am here to support you step into your authentic self. The individuals, couples, and family constellations I work with are committed to making real changes in their lives. I will meet you with an unconditional, warm, empathetic environment to soften into while we face and process some of the things that hurt, bewilder, or confuse you the most. By doing so, the goal is to release that which is no longer yours to carry and align with the most authentic version of yourself. Our work includes making meaning of your experiences and relationships. Through our work, patterns and struggles become illuminated and change can come in.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than a decade of experience working with youth, adolescents, and young adults. I believe therapy works best when clients feel understood, respected, and supported. I strive to create a space where individuals can feel safe being themselves while learning skills to navigate life's challenges. I am bilingual and provide therapy in both English and Spanish. My approach to therapy is to embrace change and to adapt to those changes in a constructive manner. I focus on the person and the challenges from a solution focused point of view. We will look at the presenting challenge, personal thoughts, self-perceptions, support systems, difficult emotions, and work around it in order to strengthen the client's abilities to tackle these challenge head on and be successful.
I help those who are feeling stuck, trapped, confused & need help making sense of everything that is going on so that they can put it into words and grow. My therapy is a safe space for those who need support. My practice is trauma informed and non judgemental. My practice is also anti racist, sex positive, LGBTQIA+ competent, and gender affirming. I have a history of working with artists, college students, mothers, sex workers, people of color, queer and trans community, & people who struggle with anxiety & trauma. I also offer gender affirming surgery letters.
Are you feeling weighed down by the impact of past relationships or childhood experiences? Perhaps you’re feeling burned out and emotionally exhausted. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of trauma, breaking free from unhealthy patterns, or confronting the challenges of anxiety, you deserve a space to heal and rediscover yourself. My approach is tailored to meet your unique needs. I am trained in Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR, a specialized method to treat trauma. I am trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a modality that treats OCD and anxiety related disorders. I will work along side of you with compassion and honesty.
In my work with college students, I've witnessed tremendous growth in students who struggled with performance anxiety, body image issues, addiction, depression, setting boundaries, time management, and navigating life after college. As your therapist, I am here to support and encourage you on this journey. Person-centered therapy offers you a safe place to develop self-awareness and confidence, engage in problem-solving, and identify interventions that can improve your academic success and overall wellbeing. When you check my rates page, you will also see that I offer sliding scale fees depending on your financial situation. Visit my website to learn more!
About This IOP: This program is geared towards helping young people who may be facing various pressures and stressors during this transitional phase of life. The Virtual IOP will focus on addressing challenges specific to young adults facing new responsibilities of “adulting” and being successful in their day-to-day lives. Areas of Focus: • Develop healthy & adaptive coping skills • Identify life goals • Foster skills necessary for independent living • Gain mutual support from peers of the same age • Increase awareness of mental health issues • Decrease patterns of isolating behavior
I would love to share with you a little about my passion for empowering others. One of the most important things I do when I meet people is listen. I listen to the needs and concerns of others. I encourage, motivate, and equip individuals, couples, and families to effectively deal with and overcome personal and familial obstacles. My goal is to share evidenced-based interventions tools, techniques, and interventions that can be used effectively and independently. When you have reached your goals, you will be prepared to deal with whatever comes your way and you will feel self-sufficient and confident in your actions.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
As we navigate through adulthood, we are often faced with many challenges. Questions such as "Where do I fit in? What will I do if this doesn't work out? Who am I?" may have crossed your mind. If you grapple with these concerns, you're in the right place to explore their underlying causes. Are you struggling with decision-making anxiety or feeling unfulfilled because you're unsure about what truly brings you happiness? Here, you can take the first steps towards finding the answers you seek.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Evaluations & therapy to help you find your footing in a rapidly shifting world! Needing help to find your way beyond stress, overwhelm, panic, or confusion? Our collective of trauma-informed therapists get how tricky becoming an adult can be. That's why we offer in person and virtual therapy and evaluation services that can help you navigate into safe waters so you can build awareness, coping skills, and learn new ways to navigate relationships, performance anxiety, social pressures, job exploration, choices, and emotional resilience. We help you discover your core beliefs and values, gain new perspectives, work through triggers and traumas, learn new skills, and develop the foundation for creating the life you want to live. Your mental wellbeing is worth investing in and that is what we do - invest in You as trusted guides on the path to creating the world we also want to live in - where people have the emotional resources to live happy, healthy lives! Curious if we'd be a good fit? Set up a 15 minute free discovery call to see if we're the right place for you.
Hi, I’m Djola McGowan, but most people lovingly call me DJ. I’m a neurodivergent Licensed Professional Counselor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I identify as a woman and use she/her pronouns. As a first-generation American with roots in Jamaica—the land of wood and water—I bring a rich, culturally informed perspective to my work. I believe therapy is a revolutionary act of self-care and a collaborative journey. My approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and cultural awareness. I truly believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens within us, but also in our relationships, families, and the systems we move through every day. As someone who values both personal insight and practical tools, I draw from Structural Family Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients make sense of how their emotions, thoughts, and family dynamics all intertwine. Together, we untangle the patterns that are keeping you stuck and work toward building new, healthier ways of being — both within yourself and in your relationships.
“TrueWay Counseling Services is here to walk with you on your journey of healing and self-discovery. We provide compassionate support and professional care to help you overcome challenges, embrace your true identity, and experience lasting growth. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where you can find strength, clarity, and connection with your truest self.”
I believe that a strong therapeutic rapport is the heart of meaningful growth in therapy. When we feel truly seen, heard, and understood, we are better able to explore our experiences, reflect on our patterns, and take steps toward change. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and comfortable to be themselves, no matter what challenges they may be facing. My approach to therapy is person-centered, which means I value each client’s unique perspective and believe that you are the expert of your own life. I work alongside my clients, offering support, guidance, and encouragement as we navigate the journey together. I strive to meet people where they are, honoring their pace while helping them uncover new insights and tools for growth. I hold a Master’s degree in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling and am a Registered Art Therapist. Creativity can be a powerful way to explore feelings and experiences that are difficult to put into words. In sessions, I often incorporate art and the creative process to help clients process emotions, gain clarity, and express themselves in new ways. Whether through drawing, painting, collage, or other forms of artmaking, this approach allows for deeper self-understanding and healing beyond traditional talk therapy. I also bring personal experience to my work, having navigated the loss of my father at a young age. Experiencing grief firsthand has given me a deep understanding of the complexities of loss. This experience informs my approach to grief therapy, allowing me to connect with clients in a compassionate and authentic way. In addition to my art therapy work, I am currently pursuing my Animal-Assisted Therapy Certificate. I am excited to soon integrate my therapy dog-in-training, Bear, into sessions as a comforting and supportive presence. Animals can offer a unique kind of connection and grounding that supports emotional regulation and overall well-being. I have experience working with children, teens, and adults in a variety of settings, including partial hospitalization, inpatient, residential treatment, and outpatient therapy. My specialties include supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and significant life transitions. I am especially passionate about working with clients during times of change—whether it’s starting a new school, transitioning to college, beginning a new career, or navigating changes in relationships or identity. No matter your reason for seeking therapy, my hope is to create an environment where you feel safe to explore your inner world, discover your strengths, and find meaningful ways to move forward.
Serenity Behavioral Health provides personalized mental health & substance use Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) for teens and young adults ages 14-30. Our IOP includes Individual, group and family therapy with an emphasis on peer support and family involvement. At Serenity, we'll work together to identify what works for you and provide a serene therapeutic space to connect, get support & make positive changes. IOP meets 3-4 times a week & is an effective option for teens and young adults who might be off-track & experiencing life disruption due to mental health, substance use, and/or behavioral issues. After successful completion of IOP clients can step down to outpatient (OP) for up to an additional 3 months. OP meets 1-2 times a week & helps maintain progress made in IOP. *All new clients start out in IOP - we do not accept new clients for just individual therapy* We also offer the following Physician Services: Psychiatric medication prescribing/management and health & wellness assessment and counseling. We are in-network with most commercial insurance and PA CHIP plans. For more information visit our website.
Do you feel like your emotions are controlling you? Are you struggling in school or in your social life? Do you feel stuck, and you have no idea how to overcome what you are feeling? I work with teens and young adults to address emotional, social, and trauma-based struggles by working together to develop goals to overcome those obstacles. I use an integrative approach tailored specifically to your needs and goals, and work closely with you to learn strategies to overcome your struggles and thrive.