Adoption Therapists in Squirrel Hill, PA
In the words of Mr. Rogers, “Play is really the work of childhood." I see kids who have prenatal, preverbal, or early childhood trauma; attachment and behavioral issues; or struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and anger. I will work with you to create a flexible treatment plan tailored to your child's individual needs, using techniques like prescriptive play therapy, filial therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, geek therapy, and attachment-based activities to directly address and heal the impact of stress on the body and brain. I help identify the reasons for children’s behavior and healthier ways to meet those needs.
In the words of Mr. Rogers, “Play is really the work of childhood." I see kids who have prenatal, preverbal, or early childhood trauma; attachment and behavioral issues; or struggle with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and anger. I will work with you to create a flexible treatment plan tailored to your child's individual needs, using techniques like prescriptive play therapy, filial therapy, expressive arts, sandtray, geek therapy, and attachment-based activities to directly address and heal the impact of stress on the body and brain. I help identify the reasons for children’s behavior and healthier ways to meet those needs.
I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma including PTSD, C-PTSD and dissociative disorders. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, identity-affirming space where we can explore what may be causing difficulty in your life. I help my clients develop self-compassion and acceptance while addressing and healing the root causes of their trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief. I view psychotherapy as a collaborative experience between therapist and client. Together we will envision where you want to be and I will support and challenge you to grow and heal.
I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma including PTSD, C-PTSD and dissociative disorders. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, identity-affirming space where we can explore what may be causing difficulty in your life. I help my clients develop self-compassion and acceptance while addressing and healing the root causes of their trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief. I view psychotherapy as a collaborative experience between therapist and client. Together we will envision where you want to be and I will support and challenge you to grow and heal.
Everyone has a unique story. Feeling safe and comfortable in therapy to share your thoughts, feelings, and questions is essential to the therapeutic process. I understand that the decision to choose a therapist can be a daunting task and the first step into treatment requires a lot of courage. For the past 20 years I have specialized in working with people who have been impacted by complex trauma and loss. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, distorted self-image, and a sense of disconnect with self, their environment, and others are often the byproducts of trauma that I see my clients experiencing.
Everyone has a unique story. Feeling safe and comfortable in therapy to share your thoughts, feelings, and questions is essential to the therapeutic process. I understand that the decision to choose a therapist can be a daunting task and the first step into treatment requires a lot of courage. For the past 20 years I have specialized in working with people who have been impacted by complex trauma and loss. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, distorted self-image, and a sense of disconnect with self, their environment, and others are often the byproducts of trauma that I see my clients experiencing.
More Therapists Nearby
I have experience as a Child Sexual Abuse Investigator, Adoption Specialist, Probation Officer and a foster parent.
Do you need help managing your son or daughter’s disruptive behaviors in the home, school, or community? I am internationally recognized for my knowledge and experience addressing Reactive Attachment Disorder. I provide therapy, education, and consultation for Reactive Attachment, and severe regressive behaviors such as coprophagia and fecal/urine related behaviors. I’m seasoned in working with children on trauma, anxiety, depression, Intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, impulse control, and conduct disorder.
I have experience as a Child Sexual Abuse Investigator, Adoption Specialist, Probation Officer and a foster parent.
Do you need help managing your son or daughter’s disruptive behaviors in the home, school, or community? I am internationally recognized for my knowledge and experience addressing Reactive Attachment Disorder. I provide therapy, education, and consultation for Reactive Attachment, and severe regressive behaviors such as coprophagia and fecal/urine related behaviors. I’m seasoned in working with children on trauma, anxiety, depression, Intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, impulse control, and conduct disorder.
Michael Van Ness
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
1 Endorsed
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Waitlist for new clients
I am adoption competent and specialize in the impacts of early childhood trauma and complex trauma across the lifespan, spiritual and religious trauma, ADHD, men's issues, and autism.
Life is hard! There is no instructional manual for how to figure it all out! I value authenticity and attunement in session-my job is to be someone you can trust and someone you feel comfortable with I hope that we can come up with a way of exploring your life in a way that is meaningful to you and helps you make sense of your life and your experiences.
Come skeptical! Come with questions! Its not your job to trust me, or open up to me if you don’t want to-its my job to help create a genuine and authentic space so we can sort out the problems you are dealing with together, and help you come up with a better way to handle them.
I am adoption competent and specialize in the impacts of early childhood trauma and complex trauma across the lifespan, spiritual and religious trauma, ADHD, men's issues, and autism.
Life is hard! There is no instructional manual for how to figure it all out! I value authenticity and attunement in session-my job is to be someone you can trust and someone you feel comfortable with I hope that we can come up with a way of exploring your life in a way that is meaningful to you and helps you make sense of your life and your experiences.
Come skeptical! Come with questions! Its not your job to trust me, or open up to me if you don’t want to-its my job to help create a genuine and authentic space so we can sort out the problems you are dealing with together, and help you come up with a better way to handle them.
Welcome! If you are carrying something heavy, I am glad you found your way here. My name is Gianna DeSantis, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and grief, and I work with children, teens, and adults across New Jersey and Pennsylvania via telehealth. My goal is to give you a space where you feel genuinely in control of your healing with a therapist who listens before anything else.
Welcome! If you are carrying something heavy, I am glad you found your way here. My name is Gianna DeSantis, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I specialize in trauma, anxiety, and grief, and I work with children, teens, and adults across New Jersey and Pennsylvania via telehealth. My goal is to give you a space where you feel genuinely in control of your healing with a therapist who listens before anything else.
I am also an adoption competent therapist via NTI training.
Currently wait list for therapy. Private pay Adult ADHD evaluations now. I provide therapy for anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, sleep difficulties, & neurodivergence. I offer in-person therapy in Exton, PA, & telehealth across Pennsylvania & PSYPACT states. I also have specialized experience working with adoptees/adoptive families & understand how identity, attachment, & early loss shape emotional regulation. My approach is research-based & grounded in attachment & nervous system science. I integrate evidence-based methods to provide thoughtful, personalized care. I also offer private pay online ADHD evaluations for adults.
I am also an adoption competent therapist via NTI training.
Currently wait list for therapy. Private pay Adult ADHD evaluations now. I provide therapy for anxiety, chronic stress, trauma, sleep difficulties, & neurodivergence. I offer in-person therapy in Exton, PA, & telehealth across Pennsylvania & PSYPACT states. I also have specialized experience working with adoptees/adoptive families & understand how identity, attachment, & early loss shape emotional regulation. My approach is research-based & grounded in attachment & nervous system science. I integrate evidence-based methods to provide thoughtful, personalized care. I also offer private pay online ADHD evaluations for adults.
Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters from Liberty University and have been practicing for 7 years. I help youth in the foster care system, adolescent struggles, and adults trying become the best versions of themselves. I empower others to seek the core of their challenges and find effective skills to implement for the desired change they want in their life.
Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters from Liberty University and have been practicing for 7 years. I help youth in the foster care system, adolescent struggles, and adults trying become the best versions of themselves. I empower others to seek the core of their challenges and find effective skills to implement for the desired change they want in their life.
Ellie Mental Health of Monroeville
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW, (PA), (OH)
1 Endorsed
Monroeville, PA 15146
Starting a healing journey is easier said than done. Everyone has their own experiences and can provide examples of how life can throw curveballs. It’s important to remember that you do not need to let these experiences define who you are or what you’re capable of. Processing through these experiences is what my role is, as I am here to encourage you to be your best and most authentic self. We will work together to create realistic goals that allow your light to shine bright. Anything is possible, and I am here to guide your path, which acknowledges the strengths that you already possess.
Starting a healing journey is easier said than done. Everyone has their own experiences and can provide examples of how life can throw curveballs. It’s important to remember that you do not need to let these experiences define who you are or what you’re capable of. Processing through these experiences is what my role is, as I am here to encourage you to be your best and most authentic self. We will work together to create realistic goals that allow your light to shine bright. Anything is possible, and I am here to guide your path, which acknowledges the strengths that you already possess.
Hello and welcome! I am glad you're here. Adjusting to the stressors that life is sending your way can feel like an isolating (and overwhelming) process. Sometimes it is hard to know what next steps to take. Sometimes it is scary to try new ways of being. Sometimes we get in our own way. And sometimes it is good to talk about these things with someone who is on your side.
Hello and welcome! I am glad you're here. Adjusting to the stressors that life is sending your way can feel like an isolating (and overwhelming) process. Sometimes it is hard to know what next steps to take. Sometimes it is scary to try new ways of being. Sometimes we get in our own way. And sometimes it is good to talk about these things with someone who is on your side.
As someone who is also neurodivergent, I help my clients learn how neurodiversity shows up for them in their spaces. I also support clients with their adoptee journey in whatever that means for them. I often work with clients who are trying to make sense and navigate their complex experiences as an adoptee. Sometimes, this looks like helping clients learn to be authentically themselves even when their childhood/environment require(d) them to assimilate. My work also extends to members of the LGBTQIA+ community in providing validating/ affirming care. I am interested in helping you find your voice even in the discomfort of others.
As someone who is also neurodivergent, I help my clients learn how neurodiversity shows up for them in their spaces. I also support clients with their adoptee journey in whatever that means for them. I often work with clients who are trying to make sense and navigate their complex experiences as an adoptee. Sometimes, this looks like helping clients learn to be authentically themselves even when their childhood/environment require(d) them to assimilate. My work also extends to members of the LGBTQIA+ community in providing validating/ affirming care. I am interested in helping you find your voice even in the discomfort of others.
The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LSW
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Are you looking for support in the areas of adoption, foster care, infertility, assisted reproductive technology, donor conception, pregnancy loss, pregnancy decision making, or a related area?
Erika Schmitt has been at The Children's Home since 2006 and has provided counseling since that time. She has experience working with all races as well as LGBTQIA+ population. She can see clients virtually or in person. She especially enjoys counseling in the realm of infertility, pregnancy, donor conception, grief, and reproductive trauma.
Are you looking for support in the areas of adoption, foster care, infertility, assisted reproductive technology, donor conception, pregnancy loss, pregnancy decision making, or a related area?
Erika Schmitt has been at The Children's Home since 2006 and has provided counseling since that time. She has experience working with all races as well as LGBTQIA+ population. She can see clients virtually or in person. She especially enjoys counseling in the realm of infertility, pregnancy, donor conception, grief, and reproductive trauma.
Daytime availability only. Erika is an experienced psychotherapist with a diverse background in the mental health field. She has treated a range of clients such as toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, children in foster care, adoptees, college-age students, and adults in counseling settings. Erika works with both adults and children on healing the wounds that trauma has created in their lives, as well as those experiencing other symptoms that are impacting their lives. When working with clients, Erika utilizes an integrative approach to best meet the needs of the client. This therapeutic space is LGBTQIA+-affirming.
Daytime availability only. Erika is an experienced psychotherapist with a diverse background in the mental health field. She has treated a range of clients such as toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, children in foster care, adoptees, college-age students, and adults in counseling settings. Erika works with both adults and children on healing the wounds that trauma has created in their lives, as well as those experiencing other symptoms that are impacting their lives. When working with clients, Erika utilizes an integrative approach to best meet the needs of the client. This therapeutic space is LGBTQIA+-affirming.
I am a mother, creative, historian, writer, and identity navigation specialist working in the clinical mental health space. I am passionate about our pasts, our brains, anti-racism, justice, relationships, and identity. I received my Masters in Clinical Mental Health and Applied Psychology from Antioch New England. I like to take big-picture societal and systemic issues and ground them down to our everyday experiences. I believe that building strong, equitable, and informed relationships, with ourselves first, can begin to shift toxic societal narratives that have created cycles of trauma and suffering for far too long.
I am a mother, creative, historian, writer, and identity navigation specialist working in the clinical mental health space. I am passionate about our pasts, our brains, anti-racism, justice, relationships, and identity. I received my Masters in Clinical Mental Health and Applied Psychology from Antioch New England. I like to take big-picture societal and systemic issues and ground them down to our everyday experiences. I believe that building strong, equitable, and informed relationships, with ourselves first, can begin to shift toxic societal narratives that have created cycles of trauma and suffering for far too long.
Kim has personal and professional experience and training to work with families formed through foster and kinship care and adoption.
Do you want meaningful relationships? Kim has a strong desire to work with those who want to improve their relationships and lifestyle. She assists clients to improve their mental, physical, spiritual and sexual safety and security.
Kim has personal and professional experience and training to work with families formed through foster and kinship care and adoption.
Do you want meaningful relationships? Kim has a strong desire to work with those who want to improve their relationships and lifestyle. She assists clients to improve their mental, physical, spiritual and sexual safety and security.
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.
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.
I believe everyone can make positive changes in their life and therapy is a safe, supportive experience to help navigate through the change process. I provide treatment that is tailored to your needs and is focused on promoting your unique strengths while also addressing any barriers to progress. Whether dealing with a major life crisis or just wanting to improve the overall quality of your life or relationships, my focus is on helping you find the skills and strength to make meaningful change. Emphasizing individual goals and personal autonomy, I create a therapeutic environment that is positive, open-minded and non-judgmental.
I believe everyone can make positive changes in their life and therapy is a safe, supportive experience to help navigate through the change process. I provide treatment that is tailored to your needs and is focused on promoting your unique strengths while also addressing any barriers to progress. Whether dealing with a major life crisis or just wanting to improve the overall quality of your life or relationships, my focus is on helping you find the skills and strength to make meaningful change. Emphasizing individual goals and personal autonomy, I create a therapeutic environment that is positive, open-minded and non-judgmental.
I believe in a strength based, client centered approach. Reaching out for help and support can be difficult. I help to establish a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, providing a safe space to be open and honest in therapy. Self-awareness and self-care are vital to an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. My goal is to foster an individual’s positive growth throughout the therapy process. Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing techniques and solution focused therapy interventions are utilized throughout therapy. Faith-based therapy is provided for anyone who desires this approach.
I believe in a strength based, client centered approach. Reaching out for help and support can be difficult. I help to establish a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, providing a safe space to be open and honest in therapy. Self-awareness and self-care are vital to an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. My goal is to foster an individual’s positive growth throughout the therapy process. Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing techniques and solution focused therapy interventions are utilized throughout therapy. Faith-based therapy is provided for anyone who desires this approach.
Everyone struggles at times, and there should be no shame in asking for help. This is why we started Serenity Psychotherapy with a core belief that everybody should have access to professional mental health services and dedicated health care professionals anywhere in the world. With our national teletherapy sessions, we seek to help individuals, families, couples, and children with all the tools and therapy sessions they may need to live happier lives. Here at Serenity Psychotherapy, we have an array of therapists with various specializations, such as depression, anxiety, relationship, substance abuse, and parenting problems.
Everyone struggles at times, and there should be no shame in asking for help. This is why we started Serenity Psychotherapy with a core belief that everybody should have access to professional mental health services and dedicated health care professionals anywhere in the world. With our national teletherapy sessions, we seek to help individuals, families, couples, and children with all the tools and therapy sessions they may need to live happier lives. Here at Serenity Psychotherapy, we have an array of therapists with various specializations, such as depression, anxiety, relationship, substance abuse, and parenting problems.
The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS, LPC
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Or, in the areas of adoption, infertility, assisted reproductive technology, donor conception, pregnancy loss or pregnancy decision making?
Joe Ritacco has been at The Children's Home since 2001. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and children in the areas of adoption and infertility. He has experience working with all races as well as LGBTQIA+ population. He can see clients virtually or in person.
Or, in the areas of adoption, infertility, assisted reproductive technology, donor conception, pregnancy loss or pregnancy decision making?
Joe Ritacco has been at The Children's Home since 2001. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and children in the areas of adoption and infertility. He has experience working with all races as well as LGBTQIA+ population. He can see clients virtually or in person.
See more therapy options for Squirrel Hill
Nearby Adoption Therapists Searches for Squirrel Hill
- Allison Park
- Bethel Park
- Gibsonia
- Irwin
- McMurray
- Monroeville
- Mount Lebanon
- Murrysville
- Pittsburgh
- Sewickley
- Upper Saint Clair
- Wexford
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.