Highmark Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

I am a LSW that has worked with a diverse range of people experiencing eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, substance use, and trauma. I take a strengths-based approach and draws from theories including CBT, DBT, and relational-cultural theory.

Do you struggle with self esteem, decision making, or just life in general? Are you ready to make a change? Often times our experiences can/have shape(d) who we’ve become. You may be in need of support and that’s ok. Congratulations to you for taking the first step in seeking support.

I believe therapy is most effective when the clinician presents themselves as the client does-a person with a unique past and personality. When you take out a therapist’s humanity and lived experience, there is no true therapeutic connection and trust from the client. That’s why I strive to be both a person and therapist through my conversational, authentic, and collaborative style. I have served those experiencing chronic mental health issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and psychosomatic symptoms.

Our greatest challenges often shape us yet offer an opportunity to learn and move forward. Psychotherapy is an helpful way to proceed. My approach is based on years of extensive experience with individuals, children, and families. I maintain a safe and secure atmosphere where clients can work through a variety of issues. Each family and individual is unique. I provide a relaxed, supportive, and positive environment for success. Therapy begins with building a trusting relationship. Together we then set goals based on strengths and challenges while utilizing evidence-based practices supplemented with personalized therapeutic approaches to help meet your goals.

I am a trauma-informed and somatically-oriented therapist. I can sit with you, listen to you, and walk with you in the hardest places. And with the wisdom I’ve garnered from years of experience, I can guide you towards a life that has meaning. Body, heart, mind, and soul all matter in my work. Blending the best elements from somatic psychology, mindfulness, intergenerational and trauma work, I stay current with what is cutting edge to help you heal. See my website to get more information about me and easily contact me there.

Accepting new clients! You feel "other". You always have. You feel like no one gets it. You're exhausted from trying to live up to the standards set by literally everyone around you. The pressure and the criticism has made you feel like a pressure cooker... and sometimes it's scary. You don't recognize yourself anymore, and sometimes you don't even know if the "old" you is actually the REAL you. You need someone to help you hold your "stuff" and make sense of the chaos in your head because it's just too heavy on your own at this point.

My specialty is Perinatal Mental Health. As part of my interest in working with women during the perinatal period, loss, and infertility, I completed Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care certificate program. I also attended conferences about Understanding and Working with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Working with Pregnancy Loss and Infertility.

Hello! I typically work with clients handling anxiety, depression, suicidality, daily coping, and mental wellness. I want to help my clients work to reach their goals and become more self-aware of their needs. I am willing to work with various forms of trauma and abuse — including physical, mental, and sexual. I have experience working with a variety of populations. I have previously worked with children and adolescents in Partial Hospitalization, helping them with depression, anxiety, self-injurious behaviors, and suicidality.

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by a-holes." (William Gibson) We take on a lot of stress from those around us - at work, at home, from strangers, from spouses & kids. From rage & stress, to grief, through life-stagnation & confusion to betrayal and divorce, my clients tend to be articulate & very smart, and prefer a counselor who is a realist, not someone who re-hashes old techniques or spouts trendy remedies.

Hi, I'm Dr Shelly Hanlon. I'm a licensed and board certified clinician with over 30 years of experience. My approach to practicing psychotherapy is to first work collaboratively with you, on identifying and harnessing your innate strengths, and talents. Then together, we will work in a safe and comfortable setting to develop strategies and "life hacks," that will ensure therapeutic change and personal growth. By analyzing existing patterns, within the context of one's own life experience, we will develop a behavioral approach that will result in a greater sense of empowerment and the opportunity for life long success.

Accepting new clients! You're tired of feeling like your experiences are minimized and being told you're "using it as an excuse." You're mentally and physically exhausted from always feeling "other". You want to FINALLY be able to open up and talk about ALL of the pieces of your life because you can't continue carrying all of this shit around, but you're terrified of being judged. You know you engage in unhealthy patterns of behavior and self-talk, but you just can't seem to stop. You have "checked off the box" that you're "in therapy" in the past, but you need to do something different this time.

Are you feeling unsure of who you are or what you want to do with your life? Perhaps a recent life change has left you feeling lost, or you are just ready to take charge of your own life - it can be difficult to differentiate your true self from what you've always been told you were, or should be. I aim to nonjudgmentally support you in identifying your foundational strengths, interests, and personal values so you can begin to build a life befitting you.