Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Pittsburgh, PA

"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.

"I have dedicated my career development towards understanding and helping my clients."

Brenda Slagle is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania with over 6 years of experience. Brenda specializes in treating clients with complex PTSD, major depression, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, addiction, social anxiety, bipolar, and others.

She completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. Brenda strives to create a non-judgmental space to examine the past to inform how patterns have developed. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy (SFT), and strengths-based approaches.

Brenda will provide genuine empathy and support while you work together to find one's purpose and authentic self. Team up with her to start managing and mitigating your mental health conditions and concerns. Brenda looks forward to sharing her experience and expertise with you—one session at a time.

"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.

"As a therapist who has worked with patients with addictions, patients in the prison system, and has helped couples in their relationship or individuals with anxiety, I believe that your past doesn't define you. Let me help guide you toward your future."

Alexandra Moran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 8 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field. Alexandra is passionate about working with people who have a history of trauma and learning how that trauma has affected their beliefs about themselves or their relationships. Alexandra also specializes in helping people with addiction, anxiety, depression, anger management, and relationship issues.

Alexandra has completed her Master of Social Work degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked most of her career with individuals who have fallen into substance use due to their mental health symptoms. While working with this population, Alexandra has worked with many individuals who went through traumatic experiences or developed personality disorders. Alexandra helps the patient identify the importance of building off their own strengths while also identifying their own emotions and defense mechanisms. Alexandra utilizes EMDR, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge that you may need help and sign up for therapy. Alexandra is able to support you on your journey by taking a non-judgmental approach and building off of your strengths to help you get to the best version of yourself. If you are ready to sign up for therapy please schedule an appointment today!

"I want to understand you. We can only improve ourselves and our relationships after we share understanding of ourselves and others."

Debra Cooke is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in treating life transitions, anger, self-esteem, parenting issues, and stress in all ages. Debra has 5 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with a variety of people with different types of trauma, and all have had the same needs: Everyone needs support and drive when they want to make positive changes, and Debra wants to support and push her clients as needed to help them improve their quality of life.

Debra completed her Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology from West Virginia University and her Master of Education (M.Ed) in School Counseling at California University of Pennsylvania and West Virginia University.

Debra likes to take a holistic approach and explore both internal and external factors that affect your overall health and wellbeing. She will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), applied behavioral analysis (ABA), and positive psychology. Debra knows what it's like to feel alone, and she knows how relieving it is to find someone who actually understands and gives time and space to learn, think and grow. Let her be there for you.

"As a conscientious and understanding therapist with varied life experience, I am uniquely suited to address various client needs and struggles"

Michael Moriarty is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania who has over 8 years of experience working with adults and adolescents on a wide range of mental health struggles relating to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and grief and trauma-related issues. His area of specialty is working with drug and alcohol addictions. He approaches therapy from a client-centered, collaborative perspective where he works alongside clients as they navigate their issues and gain greater insight into their own capacity for growth. He is also a nationally certified counselor.

Michael holds Master's degrees in Science Education from Lehman College and in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University. He uses cognitive behavioral and trauma-informed approaches to assist clients in working through problem areas and gaining an increased capacity for life satisfaction.

Michael has a variety of personal life experiences that make him well suited to address his clients needs. He understands the complexity of human psychology and the fundamental need for personal connection that individuals hold and this enables him to provide a personal and unique perspective to assist clients with their struggles.

"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.

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. She also holds special certifications in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

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.