Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

Hi! I'm Anne Forrest, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Self-Esteem Coach. I believe that feeling good about ourselves is our birthright, and I help clients to love themselves through individual counseling and self-esteem workshops. I use Gestalt therapy and other approaches which are experiential, feelings-focused, and include the body. I love to work with people who struggle with trauma issues, addictions, and LGBTQIA issues, as well as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, grief, and codependency. I like people who are unconventional, whether that is in their spirituality, gender identity, or any other area.

Effective therapy depends on a match between the client and therapist. Our first goal in therapy is to determine if the relationship is a good fit. Pay attention to your comfort level, with me. When you work with me, everything that comes up is important. You may know what issues you want to work on, or you may not. Maybe there is someone or something you have been meaning to grieve. Perhaps you have a gut feeling that it's time to reach out for help. Maybe there are things you haven't told anyone, and would like to. Maybe, you need a supportive person to listen. Therapy is not always about fixing or changing anything.

Therapy is a space where one has the opportunity to explore and get to know themselves through a different lens. The lens that I hope to create is one that is centered on your lived experiences and what you know to be true about your world. From there, we can work to identify and build awareness around what might need to change in order to experience life more authentically. There are many distractions from experiencing full authenticity and I hope to create a space where you can learn more about how you cope now and what you might want to change to get you closer to the version of you that you want.

Each of us faces a whole host of challenges in our lives. Whether these are challenges from our past that are still affecting us today or situations that are ongoing. Or maybe we’re having a tough time with life in general, and we’re not sure why that is, where it’s coming from, or even how to begin to process what we’re struggling with.

Clients often describe me as authentic, determined, and insightful. I offer direct solutions and evidence-based techniques that will help you solve your problems. I can also dive deeper with you to explore the roots behind your troubles and true self. Clients find my combination of skills-based and insight-oriented therapy to be highly effective as it offers both practical utility and depth. For OCD, I specifically use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

I am a highly skilled therapist who is passionate about helping clients resolve complex trauma, manage or improve addictive behavior, and improve family relationships. Whether you are exploring curiosity or are struggling to find hope, I will meet you where you are. The bond that I develop with my clients is my first priority.

Vulnerability. It's a word that sounds all motivating and "Hell yeah!" when Brene Brown talks about it, but when it comes to actually DOING it, it terrifies you. In order to get to the root of what's causing your discomfort, I'm going to ask you to get vulnerable. I'm going to ask you to share your story (no, the real story) with me. But you don't have to do it alone. I want to help you move from SURVIVING to THRIVING. I want you to FINALLY start living the life you've imagined. It doesn't have to be "someday". It can be now. And I can help.

For Gay, Bi, Queer Men, unresolved pain and unnamed hunger create severe ruptures in our here and now. Disruptive mood patterns and compulsions are signs of emotional injury that deserve a space to be held and cared for. Without language, we use our bodies and relationships to resolve the unresolved. Therapy is a place for this work and can be where the mind, body, & spirit become a family again. I support folx through a healing and relational framework to reconnect with values, hoping to take committed action towards goals and wishes. My work is focused on supporting gay, bi, and queer men to find integration

Welcome! I believe that therapy is a collaborative relationship, it requires trust, security and vulnerability. When we feel the most safe is when we see the most change. When it comes to therapy there is no “one size fits all” approach, and I ensure that my clients are getting individualized treatment to meet their own unique needs. I am a curious person who loves working with people from all walks of life. I pride myself in building strong therapeutic relationships with my clients so that they can build awareness of their relational wounds, needs, and their own roles in their relationships!

Do you struggle with feeling disconnected? Is it difficult for you to manage your emotions and make sense of how you feel? Are you finding it hard to be kind to yourself? I help individuals manage their anxiety and depression as a result of their life experiences and trauma by finding ways to cope with distressing emotions and finding safety in their bodies and environment. Together, we can work towards understanding how your life experiences have impacted your behaviors and identify what survival skills no longer serve you.

It's my belief that each of us has the potential to create positive change to live more fulfilling lives. By nurturing healthier relationships with ourselves and those around us, we can function better in every area of life, including emotionally, socially, and spiritually. My goal is to collaborate with each person to establish a relationship that empowers you to live your best life. I strive to create an environment that is genuine, safe, and free of judgement. It's my honor to walk through this process with you. Together, we will create a better life!

"The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new" - Dan Millman. This is part of the experiences that we have in life. I am patient, empathetic and easy to talk to. I like to create a supportive and nurturing environment to help clients feel comfortable while working with me. Building trusting relationships and witnessing breakthroughs is something that makes this work very rewarding. My goal is to navigate this journey of life and help through the different life transitions.

You're busy. You're pulled in a million different directions and you have a million more responsibilities. Sometimes you have someone to share this with, and sometimes not. Sometimes you feel lost under all of the pressure to "be better." I'm here to help. Let's peel away the layers of stress, grief, trauma, and pressure to reveal the very best version of you. Let's take journey of self-discovery together. I'm here to listen, support, and help.

To my future client, Hello! Thank you for taking the first steps in choosing you. My goal at Choosing Destiny is to assist you in creating and being an active participate in your own destiny! I consider myself as a facilitator in the therapeutic journey. As people we are beautiful, complex individuals with at times equally complicated relationships. In my practice I bring an open and non judgmental mindset into every session, which allows for a safe environment conducive in you doing your work.

I know scrolling through Psychology Today profiles can be frustrating, and challenging. Making sense of all of the therapy terms and acronyms, (oh so many of those!) can be exhausting. Assessing and finding your therapist 'fit' shouldn't be impossible. All of us have strengths, and the ability to feel joy. The path to change is often marked with unknown barriers and systemic trauma. My aim is to help others identify interpersonal and systemic barriers standing in the way of growth. I am trauma informed, and an ACES DV survivor and advocate. I work hard to provide a safe space to grow the therapist client alliance.

My clients come to session ready to show up for themselves. They are open to learn and grow into their authentic selves. The majority of my clients have experienced traumatic events and come to me with feelings of anxiety/depression. Many are ready to learn to navigate stress, life transitions, and struggles within their relationships with others and themselves. I work within the LGBTQIA+ community and provide an open and inclusive space to help ensure feelings of acceptance, safety, and affirmation. As a member of the community I know the importance of this safe space.

Accepting new clients! You feel like you have had your power and your voice taken away for your entire life. You are exhausted from not being seen as a human first. You are about to explode from so many years of hiding who you are, who you love, and what is pissing you off. You are ready to step into your power, but you have no idea how to start. Or maybe you do, but you need someone supporting you as you navigate all of the complex, heavy sh!t that is about to unfold. I want you to know that I see beyond your struggles and past choices. I want to empower you to embrace your entire self (yes, your ENTIRE self). You can do that here.

We are welcoming new clients now & can help schedule your first session within a few business days with one of our expert providers at Makin Wellness! Do you worry all the time? Is it hard for you to turn your thoughts off? Would you like to enjoy the present moment, but feel like it's impossible because you are so focused on the future or past? So many people live their lives filled with negative thoughts, traumas & depression that eventually affect their work, relationships, and even health. They are unsure of how to let go of their troublesome thoughts or have tried things that made their problems even worse.

Life can throw all kinds of things at us. Even when we are prepared, it can be helpful to meet with a trained professional to process through the unexpected, difficult situations and the everyday stressors we are experiencing. I am a licensed professional counselor, who has worked, mainly, with adults experiencing a variety of mental health symptoms, dual diagnoses, and those just looking for some guidance with life goals.