Psychodynamic Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA
Mindful Matters Counseling Group
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC, NCC, ICGC-I
2 Endorsed
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
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.
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.
I follow a Humanistic, Relational Psychodynamic approach with focus on helping clients increase understanding and awareness of their emotions, experiences, and relational patterns.
I have over 25 years of experience working with adults (age 18+) on issues of identity, relationships, and family concerns, as well as stress, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I have extensive experience working with college students and the particular challenges of young adulthood. I approach psychotherapy as a collaborative endeavor, and I believe that understanding the past is important in helping you make changes in the present. I look forward to helping you work towards your goals! I am PSYPACT authorized. In addition to my practice, I am an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University.
I follow a Humanistic, Relational Psychodynamic approach with focus on helping clients increase understanding and awareness of their emotions, experiences, and relational patterns.
I have over 25 years of experience working with adults (age 18+) on issues of identity, relationships, and family concerns, as well as stress, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I have extensive experience working with college students and the particular challenges of young adulthood. I approach psychotherapy as a collaborative endeavor, and I believe that understanding the past is important in helping you make changes in the present. I look forward to helping you work towards your goals! I am PSYPACT authorized. In addition to my practice, I am an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University.
My ideal client may come to therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship or work issues. For example, they may have social anxiety and want to learn coping skills. They might want to broaden their social support, and improve their self-esteem. Their goals might be to learn relaxation techniques to reduce stress. A long-term goal might be to better understand where their anxiety came from in the first place. They would be interactive and willing to take action toward their goals, viewing me as a helper rather than a fixer.
My ideal client may come to therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship or work issues. For example, they may have social anxiety and want to learn coping skills. They might want to broaden their social support, and improve their self-esteem. Their goals might be to learn relaxation techniques to reduce stress. A long-term goal might be to better understand where their anxiety came from in the first place. They would be interactive and willing to take action toward their goals, viewing me as a helper rather than a fixer.
Finding balance and living a fulfilling life is easier said than done. However, I'm in your corner to support the happier version of you. Knowing that we are all fellow humans journeying on a path towards a better life, I bring to our talk therapy a sense of genuine curiosity, gratitude and honest compassion to meet you exactly where you're at. We can be released from what holds us back, integrate hidden aspects of ourselves and fully embrace who we are, bruises and all.
Finding balance and living a fulfilling life is easier said than done. However, I'm in your corner to support the happier version of you. Knowing that we are all fellow humans journeying on a path towards a better life, I bring to our talk therapy a sense of genuine curiosity, gratitude and honest compassion to meet you exactly where you're at. We can be released from what holds us back, integrate hidden aspects of ourselves and fully embrace who we are, bruises and all.
Pain, uncertainty, feelings of being lost and a failure emerge as we seek to find our individual path in life. These feelings often indicate it is time to be found, not that you are "mentally ill." They can indicate the need to connect with your inner Self rather than to substitute unfulfilling forms of social adjustment. My approach focuses on you as a unique individual. It recognizes that you have a Self in the sense that there is a unique inner guidance available to you. I will work as a guide in your journey toward conflict resolution and wholeness.
Pain, uncertainty, feelings of being lost and a failure emerge as we seek to find our individual path in life. These feelings often indicate it is time to be found, not that you are "mentally ill." They can indicate the need to connect with your inner Self rather than to substitute unfulfilling forms of social adjustment. My approach focuses on you as a unique individual. It recognizes that you have a Self in the sense that there is a unique inner guidance available to you. I will work as a guide in your journey toward conflict resolution and wholeness.
I support teens and young adults in building self-acceptance and understanding the ways they’ve learned to survive. My approach helps you befriend your feelings; not just think about them. If you're navigating transitions, struggling with emotions, or finding it hard to trust yourself or others, I’d be honored to work with you. Together, we’ll explore what your symptoms are trying to tell you and find ways to reduce tension and foster deeper self-awareness.
I support teens and young adults in building self-acceptance and understanding the ways they’ve learned to survive. My approach helps you befriend your feelings; not just think about them. If you're navigating transitions, struggling with emotions, or finding it hard to trust yourself or others, I’d be honored to work with you. Together, we’ll explore what your symptoms are trying to tell you and find ways to reduce tension and foster deeper self-awareness.
I use an integrative approach, drawing from CBT, ACT, psychodynamic, and strengths-based therapies.
My ideal client is someone navigating identity, life transitions, or systemic stress—often LGBT+, immigrant, BIPOC, or a parent feeling stretched thin. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, shame, or self-doubt. They want relief from emotional overwhelm, clarity about who they are, and tools to live more authentically. Their goal is not just symptom reduction, but self-trust, empowerment, and the freedom to build a life aligned with their values.
I use an integrative approach, drawing from CBT, ACT, psychodynamic, and strengths-based therapies.
My ideal client is someone navigating identity, life transitions, or systemic stress—often LGBT+, immigrant, BIPOC, or a parent feeling stretched thin. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, shame, or self-doubt. They want relief from emotional overwhelm, clarity about who they are, and tools to live more authentically. Their goal is not just symptom reduction, but self-trust, empowerment, and the freedom to build a life aligned with their values.
My style is collaborative and interactive to meet each person’s unique needs and concerns, with a relational psychoanalytic, and psychodynamic approach.
I try to provide a safe space where your concerns and lived experiences are listened to closely and attentively without feeling judged. Please feel free to call me to learn more about the details.
My style is collaborative and interactive to meet each person’s unique needs and concerns, with a relational psychoanalytic, and psychodynamic approach.
I try to provide a safe space where your concerns and lived experiences are listened to closely and attentively without feeling judged. Please feel free to call me to learn more about the details.
My approach is psychodynamic or insight-oriented, influenced by my background in women's health.
My priority is to create a judgement-free environment where clients feel comfortable sharing authentically. During our work together, I will help you identify the barriers holding you back. With compassion and humor, I make sure the therapy space is a place of comfort and safety. I practice IFS, EMDR, CPT and other modalities.
My approach is psychodynamic or insight-oriented, influenced by my background in women's health.
My priority is to create a judgement-free environment where clients feel comfortable sharing authentically. During our work together, I will help you identify the barriers holding you back. With compassion and humor, I make sure the therapy space is a place of comfort and safety. I practice IFS, EMDR, CPT and other modalities.
If you experienced sexual violence in the PA, ask me about ways to cover your therapy costs. I believe that each person has the answer to create meaningful change; my job is to guide folx as they find these answers and teach skills to make it a little easier. I specialize in trauma, abuse, sexual violence, PTSD, and pregnancy and postpartum. I also experience working with folx facing various challenges, including life transitions, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, stress, identity formation, intimacy, and sex. I am experienced in working with queer, sex worker, kink, polyamorous, and previously incarcerated folx.
If you experienced sexual violence in the PA, ask me about ways to cover your therapy costs. I believe that each person has the answer to create meaningful change; my job is to guide folx as they find these answers and teach skills to make it a little easier. I specialize in trauma, abuse, sexual violence, PTSD, and pregnancy and postpartum. I also experience working with folx facing various challenges, including life transitions, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, stress, identity formation, intimacy, and sex. I am experienced in working with queer, sex worker, kink, polyamorous, and previously incarcerated folx.
I draw upon body-based (somatic) and insight-based ( psychodynamic) therapies to help open up places where people are stuck, uncover what is held in the body and psyche, explore troubled aspects of the self, and create new possibilities.
As a social worker I view individual's struggles within larger contexts: families communities, society, culture, and structures of power. I honor the strategies and patterns we've adopted in order to survive as evidence of our resilience, while working to shift those patterns and create space to make new ones.
I draw upon body-based (somatic) and insight-based ( psychodynamic) therapies to help open up places where people are stuck, uncover what is held in the body and psyche, explore troubled aspects of the self, and create new possibilities.
As a social worker I view individual's struggles within larger contexts: families communities, society, culture, and structures of power. I honor the strategies and patterns we've adopted in order to survive as evidence of our resilience, while working to shift those patterns and create space to make new ones.
Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed or unhappy in your life or relationships? Anxiety can be rooted in our history or of recent origin. Military trauma, often experienced on top of childhood trauma, can lead to anger, anxiety, and feeling easily overwhelmed. Eco-anxiety and moral injury related to current events both contribute to anxiety and depressive symptoms. On top of all this, financial stress has increased with inflation. I am in a position to offer affordable counseling for those who either have no insurance, or have insurance I am not credentialed with.
Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed or unhappy in your life or relationships? Anxiety can be rooted in our history or of recent origin. Military trauma, often experienced on top of childhood trauma, can lead to anger, anxiety, and feeling easily overwhelmed. Eco-anxiety and moral injury related to current events both contribute to anxiety and depressive symptoms. On top of all this, financial stress has increased with inflation. I am in a position to offer affordable counseling for those who either have no insurance, or have insurance I am not credentialed with.
Imagine carrying an invisible weight—the weight of feeling unseen, unheard, misunderstood. Perhaps you’re navigating systemic barriers, microaggressions, or struggling to feel fully accepted for who you are. Maybe you feel out of sync in a world that wasn’t built for you, constantly compartmentalizing parts of yourself to fit in. On the outside, you may seem “fine,” but inside, you’re yearning for wholeness, clarity, and the freedom to simply be.
Imagine carrying an invisible weight—the weight of feeling unseen, unheard, misunderstood. Perhaps you’re navigating systemic barriers, microaggressions, or struggling to feel fully accepted for who you are. Maybe you feel out of sync in a world that wasn’t built for you, constantly compartmentalizing parts of yourself to fit in. On the outside, you may seem “fine,” but inside, you’re yearning for wholeness, clarity, and the freedom to simply be.
Life can be difficult and stressful at times. Many times, the answers are within us, but they are hard to come by on our own. Therapy is the answer that many of us search for because we can find answers to the problems that trouble us albeit relationships, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, trauma, or anger. Therapy can heal emotional scars, create more self-confidence and self-worth, while providing tools to live our best life. My goal is to help clients live the healthiest life possible.
Life can be difficult and stressful at times. Many times, the answers are within us, but they are hard to come by on our own. Therapy is the answer that many of us search for because we can find answers to the problems that trouble us albeit relationships, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, trauma, or anger. Therapy can heal emotional scars, create more self-confidence and self-worth, while providing tools to live our best life. My goal is to help clients live the healthiest life possible.
I provide a positive, supportive, environment where clients have an opportunity to be heard, and to be healed of their emotional pain and fears. My approach is to meet people where they are and to encourage a shift in thinking from negative and fearful, to positive and hopeful. I specialize in the treatment of PTSD associated with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, losses and addictions. The goal is to help neutralize the anxiety, depression, guilt, shame and fears that are the symptoms of the trauma or addiction. The goal is to: "Learn to love, accept and forgive yourself because you are doing the best you can."
I provide a positive, supportive, environment where clients have an opportunity to be heard, and to be healed of their emotional pain and fears. My approach is to meet people where they are and to encourage a shift in thinking from negative and fearful, to positive and hopeful. I specialize in the treatment of PTSD associated with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, losses and addictions. The goal is to help neutralize the anxiety, depression, guilt, shame and fears that are the symptoms of the trauma or addiction. The goal is to: "Learn to love, accept and forgive yourself because you are doing the best you can."
Imagine therapy that feels supportive, compassionate, and truly effective. That is what we provide at Lifebulb. We built an organization where clinicians can love their work again, because that means better care for you. Our licensed and experienced therapists are devoted to the therapy process and to helping you grow. Whether in person or online, we are confident we can walk with you toward your goals.
Imagine therapy that feels supportive, compassionate, and truly effective. That is what we provide at Lifebulb. We built an organization where clinicians can love their work again, because that means better care for you. Our licensed and experienced therapists are devoted to the therapy process and to helping you grow. Whether in person or online, we are confident we can walk with you toward your goals.
My general approach to therapy includes a balance of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to treat symptoms affecting daily functioning and Psychodynamic Therapy, which explores the origin of a problem if so desired.
I believe the greatest gift we can offer to someone in need is the ability to meet them where they are and without judgement. My approach to therapy is humanistic, providing a supportive environment comprised of acceptance and appropriate humor. My specialties include treatment of anxiety and depression as well as issues concerning self-esteem, spirituality, and life transitions to adults ages 25+.
My general approach to therapy includes a balance of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to treat symptoms affecting daily functioning and Psychodynamic Therapy, which explores the origin of a problem if so desired.
I believe the greatest gift we can offer to someone in need is the ability to meet them where they are and without judgement. My approach to therapy is humanistic, providing a supportive environment comprised of acceptance and appropriate humor. My specialties include treatment of anxiety and depression as well as issues concerning self-esteem, spirituality, and life transitions to adults ages 25+.
Welcome- I’m really glad you’re here. Reaching out for help takes courage- and therapy can be a place to better understand yourself and to heal from difficult experiences. We can begin creating the life and relationships you want. Since 2021, my practice is built on a passion to supporting client growth- those recovering from trauma, individuals exploring identity and life transitions, and couples working to rebuild trust and strengthen connection. As a therapist who identifies as a lesbian, I’m committed to offering an affirming, supportive space where you can show up authentically and feel understood.
Welcome- I’m really glad you’re here. Reaching out for help takes courage- and therapy can be a place to better understand yourself and to heal from difficult experiences. We can begin creating the life and relationships you want. Since 2021, my practice is built on a passion to supporting client growth- those recovering from trauma, individuals exploring identity and life transitions, and couples working to rebuild trust and strengthen connection. As a therapist who identifies as a lesbian, I’m committed to offering an affirming, supportive space where you can show up authentically and feel understood.
Finding the Right Care Should Be Easy.
At AWPA, our highly trained psychologists quickly respond to every inquiry with compassion, responsiveness, and priority. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning with a clear sense of what you’re looking for, having access to timely, attentive support can make all the difference.
We are a locally owned, mid-sized practice, committed to making your care feel personal.
Finding the Right Care Should Be Easy.
At AWPA, our highly trained psychologists quickly respond to every inquiry with compassion, responsiveness, and priority. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning with a clear sense of what you’re looking for, having access to timely, attentive support can make all the difference.
We are a locally owned, mid-sized practice, committed to making your care feel personal.
We believe that psychological well-being and healing come from our ability to foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance of our experience of life as a whole. Talking with a therapist can help facilitate this kind of personal growth.
We believe that psychological well-being and healing come from our ability to foster awareness, understanding, and acceptance of our experience of life as a whole. Talking with a therapist can help facilitate this kind of personal growth.
See more therapy options for Pittsburgh
Nearby Psychodynamic Therapists Searches for Pittsburgh
- Arsenal
- Aspinwall
- Carnegie
- East Liberty
- Fox Chapel
- Mount Lebanon
- Penn Hills
- Shadyside
- Squirrel Hill
- Swissvale
- West Mifflin
- Wilkinsburg
Psychodynamic Therapists
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Studies have found psychodynamic therapy to be effective in treating conditions like social anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, some personality disorders, and depression; indeed, some studies have found it to be just as effective as CBT or medication. What’s more, several studies have found that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy tend to endure—even grow—long after treatment has ended.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Unlike CBT and other more structured forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy tends to be open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a year or longer and to see their therapist one to three times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a client’s challenges and progress. However, brief psychodynamic therapy is available, which tends to be more goal-oriented and typically unfolds over 16 to 30 sessions.
Does psychodynamic therapy work?
Research finds that psychodynamic therapy can help someone manage or reduce symptoms of diagnosable mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The modality may also offer a range of benefits that are harder to measure but just as valuable—such as increased self-worth or healthier relationships. While no therapy type will work for everyone, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be highly effective.
What are the limitations of psychodynamic therapy?
Some meta-analyses have concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat certain mental health conditions such as PTSD, OCD, or psychosis, though it is sometimes used to do so. More broadly, the open-ended, free-association structure of psychodynamic therapy may be frustrating for clients who prefer a more structured, time-limited, or goal-oriented approach.