Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

"The past affects the present, even without our being aware of it." -Francine Shapiro- Whether we are aware or not, distressing events we have experienced can be negatively affecting our day to day lives. Trauma and stress can leave us feeling alone, broken, on edge, angry, or sad. You have taken the first step towards your growth and healing by exploring therapy.

I’m interested in working with clients who are in search of deep emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. You can expect our sessions together to consider your past, and to process the impact of those experiences on your present day life. Almost everyone is impacted by distressing or traumatic events that inevitably occur throughout a lifetime, so those experiences will be explored and processed, as well. Our work together will be a blended effort of focusing on what is important to you, and my curiosity and guidance throughout your process.

I believe therapy is a leap of faith taken to explore ourselves, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we hope to go. This step into the unknown can be scary, but I feel that through open communication and exploration, these steps can become powerful, moving, and exciting. Through my practice, I strive to create a safe and accepting space for all clients. Whether through trauma work, EMDR, life transitions, or art therapy, my goal is to support clients through their unique journeys with kindness, humor, and understanding. Therapy looks different for everyone, and I work to create a space that honors each person's experience.

At Manifest, we have therapists who specialize in a variety of modalities ranging from CBT, DBT, and EMDR trained and certified therapists, to therapists who offer body oriented, spiritually informed, and depth psychology approaches. Whether you are looking to explore and take an in depth look at your own capacity for healing and awakening, or looking for outcomes based therapies to resolve psychological and emotional blockages, triggers, or traumas that are standing in the way, we are here to help support you in meeting your needs.

As a transpersonal, body and gestalt psychotherapist, EMDR and Comprehensive Energy Psychology practitioner, meditation teacher and hypnotherapist, I offer an embodied and integrated approach to therapy, coaching, consultation, and teaching. Our problems and difficulties are opportunities for growth and wisdom, our innate intelligence always knows exactly what we need to transform or heal. Often, we need to undergo a process of compassionately encountering what it is that we find unacceptable, terrifying, or seemingly impossible for us to bear or let go. Paradoxically, these are the things that can lead us into deeper relationship with our true self.

When you think about how far you have come from your past, you are amazed. The steps that you have taken to get to where you are today did not seem possible three years ago. Even though your situation has completely changed and life is incredible, it still doesn’t feel that way. You feel guilty about what has been left behind. Extreme emotions come up from smells, sights, or statements, and you can’t control it. Nightmares cause you fear when you think about sleeping. You are sick of living this way and want to find some sort of peace but don’t know how or where to start.

The prospect of change can be frightening, but it can also bring greater happiness, growth and meaning to your life. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I take a compassionate and collaborative approach to help you navigate life challenges, heal from painful experiences, and grow into the best version of yourself. In addition to in person sessions in Pittsburgh, PA, ​I am able to provide teletherapy in participating states pursuant to Psypact Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) under the Psypact Commission E. Passport Mobility Number 15679 (includes PA, OH, WV and 34 additional states)

Saving Sanity, LLC is a private practice of Professional Counselors with a vision of inspiring individuals to achieve their greatest human potential. We have a mission to empower individuals by creating a supportive space in which personal growth and healing can occur. Please visit savingsanity.org to view our available therapists.

You may find yourself feeling stuck, struggling with unsatisfying relationships, or wanting to feel more connected to yourself and others. Together we will work on co-creating an environment most conducive to what you need to feel safe and heard to heal and grow. My approach is compassionate, humorous and committed to helping you to live your life more fully. I enjoy working with adults and couples. I specialize in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and queer folks exploring questions of gender identity and sexuality. Expertise working with parents/families of transgender folks.

I am a Psychotherapist, Nutrition Therapist & Exercise Physiologist. With the Client/Therapist Relationship at CORE, I provide Individualized, Integrative Care: Eating Disorders, Trauma, Mood, Relationships, Transitions -acknowledging & encouraging growth of diverse values &/or needs, I use an Eclectic Therapeutic Approach –including Person-Centered, Mindfulness, Expressive (art, music, movement, writing), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT, RO-DBT, Existential, Narrative, EMDR, Gestalt, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, Nutrition Therapy –Intuitive Eating/HAES (Health at Any Size) & Medical Nutrition Therapy.

If you are looking to reclaim your true self, heal your inner child, and find some peace and empowerment, I can be your guide. I exclusively treat trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD. Topics of expertise include divorce, sexual assault/abuse, and healing from childhood trauma. You will learn to understand your nervous system and how to calm anxiety and triggers. What you can expect from me is that I will be warm, candid, authentic, and invested.

I work most often with people who have been pushed to the margins, including trans, non-binary and queer people, autistic and other neurodivergent people, and people who have survived traumatic events and relationships. I enjoy working with organizers, activists, and artists. I tend to be a good fit for clients experiencing shame, despair, isolation and existential dread. As a trans woman myself, I have experienced both the harms of misguided psychotherapy and the healing that can come from a co-created and trusting therapeutic relationship.

Even when we feel lost, there is always a path to a more hopeful future. As your therapist, I can help you find your way forward: Toward your goals, toward self-understanding, and toward peace and satisfaction. I’ve worked with people from many walks of life successfully and focus on helping those who find their lives unmanageable or fundamentally unfulfilling, especially when it involves difficult childhoods or traumatic experiences. I make space in our sessions to give genuine human support, from philosophical soul searching to practical goal setting, with a balance of humility, humor, and psychological insights.

Life can leave you feeling stuck or overwhelmed at times. Sometimes one may feel generally dissatisfied with life and wanting more, if any of these are you...you are not alone. Depression, hopelessness, relationship problems, loss, domestic/sexual violence, sexual abuse, and addiction are just a few of the issues that bring people into counseling. Confronting these realities can be a daunting task. Counseling and the therapeutic relationship can help individuals address these adversities, transcend negative emotions and heal. I've learned that a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is the foundation to combating negative emotions such as; sadness, guilt, shame, anxiety, hurt, and hopelessness.

Welcome! I believe the therapeutic relationship has a significant impact on outcomes in therapy. As your counselor, I plan to foster a caring and attuned relationship that creates a sense of safety. By allowing me to be a part of your journey, I hope to help you feel seen, heard, and supported.

I work from strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centered, and Feminist perspectives. I'm LGBTQIA+, sex, and body positive and neurodivergent affirming. I have experience working with people who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, emotional abuse and neglect. I use DBT, CBT, MI, and EMDR. I believe that, since every client is different, they each require a different approach. Nothing cookie cookie cutter here! My approach uses a lot of laughter, really connecting with the client on a personal level, using lots of validation, and comes from a place that each client is the expert on themselves.

As a part of therapy, I work with clients to understand themselves and their awareness of their internal world, which can strengthen their relationships with others. We are told a lot of things growing up about who we are. I like to challenge these expectations to explore what values authentically fit for you. What have you outgrown for the person you want to become? Often, we take for granted aspects about our experience, which can be resources of strength in overcoming hardships. I use an integrative approach that takes into account your values, cultural practices, and beliefs in how you view the world and sources of distresses.

In-person or virtual daytime availability. Weaving movement (yoga and walking), art, EMDR, and other non-traditional approaches into a talk-therapy space, I can help you move through discomfort to help you experience your real self - not just the version you have to throw together for everyone else.

Damien has provided therapeutic interventions for people going through grief and loss, PTSD, anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, and other barriers. He is an LGBTQ+ and trauma informed therapist. Damien is a veteran and has experience in treating military trauma.