Motivational Interviewing Therapists in Southside Flats, Pittsburgh, PA

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.

Throughout my 10 years working in mental health, I have learned how important it is to our healing to be connected in heart and body. I believe building a better understanding of this mind-body connection and the impact it can have on both our physical and mental health is critical in symptom management, emotional regulation, stress management, overall health and wellness, and navigating our everyday life in this world.

My ideal candidate is struggling with intrusive thoughts and anxiety; they need both a safe space to share their thoughts and emotions, as well as guidance; their goals are to develop a healthier relationship with themself, as well as develop coping skills and tools to manage their mental health concerns better.

Are you dealing with anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms that are exacerbated by external life circumstances? Do you want to understand your emotions and learn how to cope with them? My ideal client is seeking support and wants to begin the journey of improving their mental health. The client may have short-term or long-term goals but needs support to achieve them. The client might also want to improve their self-esteem through therapeutic work. Working with a strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centered eclectic approach can help clients feel supported, develop coping skills, and improve self-esteem.

My ideal client would be someone motivated to engage in motivational interviewing and change work.

I work with my clients to empower them through awareness into the underlying influences of their clinical distress and life difficulties, which may include personal and social history, relationships, culture, and society. I am an empathic listener and support clients in identifying their own needs, challenges, and what is working or no longer working for them. I believe in meeting clients where they are at and to work together to build a safe, trusting, and meaningful therapeutic relationship.

Give me a break, are you serious?, What now? No one understands, I'm anxious..I'm depressed. How many times have you said these exact words this week? I sure can relate-and if you can, you’re in the right place. Welcome. Self-empowerment, radical acceptance & authentic human connection will be the cornerstone of our work. I utilize a strength-based humanistic approach to guide us...but healing doesn't happen via theory. It lies within you - your hopes, hardships, successes & infinite wisdom. Sometimes we'll laugh. Often, we'll cry. But either way...

Do you feel disconnected from yourself and your feelings, possibly due to trauma? Do you lack understanding of the cause & need education on how the brain responds to trauma? Do you have relational issues or anger management struggles that lead to addictive behaviors? Do you struggle with self-worth issues and feel tired, frustrated, and confused? In therapy, you will learn to identify trauma responses, build tolerance for difficult or uncomfortable feelings, & utilize various coping skills & grounding techniques. Gain confidence, take risks to address complex issues & learn how to create healthy boundaries for relationships.

My ideal client wants something better, has no idea what "better" is or looks like, and has no idea where to start. They are still determining if they are ready to start or commit to that change. What they need is a person and a space to figure it out. Deep down, they know where they are right now can be better, whether in relationships, emotions, daily habits, major life goals, or anything in-between. But, most importantly, they want a space where they can process and grow from that place and build a sustainable life.

I believe that one of the bravest things that you can do is to understand your own story. You are the expert on yourself, and I would like to work collaboratively with you to understand and identify connections within your story. My therapeutic orientation is client-centered, strength-based, holistic, and eclectic. I tailor my approach to you and your wants and/or needs. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of growth and healing. I strive to develop an open, safe, and trusting therapeutic relationship with you.

My ideal population is adults struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, or substance use - however I believe that everyone deserves to have a therapist who is dedicated to them, and I would never turn away a client unless their needs were out of my scope of practice. My ideal client is someone who is motivated for therapy and is willing to learn.

An ideal client would present with their struggle in transparency, with the desire to grow, and put in the work to achieve goals. That could be managing emotions, holding a job, rebuilding relationships, or perhaps implementing more self-care. A client who wants to heal, find peace, and promote balance and autonomy. I am very easygoing, and really like to showcase my ability to promote a safe trusting environment. It is okay to feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed in life; I hope to encourage and normalize the need to take care of ourselves.

I support those who are experiencing anxiety & depression and are looking for coping skills to help them. I can assist someone to uncover and understand the relationship that factors in their lives can have on their mental health symptoms. Additionally, I can help uncover negative patterns that maintain a lack of progress. An ideal client would be someone who comes to treatment open-minded, asks questions, and is open to sharing their thoughts, concerns, and questions. This way, the ideal collaboration between therapist and client can occur to achieve the most genuine success through treatment.

Are you experiencing depression/anxiety, career issues, substance use issues, relationship issues, and familial issues? Your needs may include identifying and implementing new ways of coping, exploring career options, finding a treatment facility, or acquiring new insights regarding your spouse/family member. A client would work with me to address areas in their life that are contributing to stressors.

We all grow up and live in a society which favors conformity. Not "fitting in" or being "different" can result in feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and isolation which can effect all aspects of our lives. This can be especially true for the LGBTQ population. As a psychodynamic therapist, my goal is to assist you in your personal development from unsatisfying or painful patterns of living and to a life that you can celebrate. While we can't change the past, we can work together to change how it continues to impact your life and resolve challenges and issues that have resulted from it.

Are you struggling with a life transition, stressors, anxiety, or depression? Are you a college student having a difficult time adjusting to their first year in college, a young adult/adult working through career, family, relationship, or personal discovery stressors, or someone who is struggling with depression and finds they have a general lack of motivation?

Do you struggle with self-esteem issues and want to be more confident? Are you dealing with a major depressive disorder and have poor sleep & hygiene? Do you want a better life so you can keep your job and have a thriving life? I can help you identify where negative thoughts about yourself and your identity stem from. We will work on identifying negative thoughts and stress triggers. We will review what interventions have worked and have not worked for your mental health. I provide psychoeducation & may give some mini exercises, such as using positive affirmations, coming up with a nighttime routine, & relaxation techniques.

Fourth River Therapy is a group private practice founded and operated by experienced Licensed Clinical Social Workers and psychotherapists. Our mission is to provide quality, accessible, and personalized mental healthcare. Check out our website for more information!

A patient presents with concerns regarding impulsive decision-making and wanting to change relationship patterns. She was recently diagnosed with postpartum after giving birth 30 days prior. She is currently in a relationship with the child's father and reports being unhappy with his parenting skills. She wants to go out on her own but is afraid he will separate her from the child. In therapy, she has clarified that she does not want to share with him at the child's young age.