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Therapists for college students near Philadelphia, PA

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Peter D. Ruffini
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA
Accepting new clients

You’ve had enough of the shame, secrecy, and broken promises tied to pornography addiction. You’re capable and successful—yet inside you feel stuck. Trying harder hasn’t worked. Rules, willpower, and white-knuckling fail over time. For some, a relationship they care about is at risk. For others, it’s the quiet fear of where this is heading if nothing changes. For those dealing with porn or sexual addiction, generic counseling isn’t enough. This depth of work requires a specialized, focused approach that addresses what’s actually driving the behavior—not just trying to stop it. I’m Pete, founder of Proven Path Counseling—an award-winning psychotherapist with 15 years of experience serving PA & NJ, specializing in porn and sex addiction. I’m recognized as a trusted authority in men’s issues and sexual addiction, training and supervising other clinicians and appearing in media on sexual addiction, trauma, and men’s mental health. Clients value my active, direct, and encouraging approach—real accountability, practical tools, and work that targets the drivers beneath the patterns so change actually lasts. That's why men and other therapists trust my work. If you’re here, you’ve already taken an important first step. Reach out for a free consultation to see if we're a good fit.

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Robin Fierstein
Psychologist
Philadelphia, PA
Accepting new clients

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Though the process of therapy can be difficult, I bring an accepting and compassionate mindset to our relationship that will help you feel comfortable in session and leave therapy feeling more satisfied, skillful, and empowered. I typically work with college students, adults, and older adolescents. I primarily work from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) perspectives. I also integrate components of other orientations where helpful and tailor my therapeutic approach to the individual characteristics and needs of each client. The majority of my training has been in college counseling and community mental health. My areas of interest and expertise include trauma, OCD, social anxiety, specific phobia, panic disorder, emotion dysregulation, issues of overcontrol, nonsuicidal self-injury, depression, and LGBTQ+ issues. I look forward to meeting you and beginning our work together!

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K & K Holistic Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

Navigating the complexities of being human can be as rewarding as it is complicated. Our journeys are filled with moments that require us to muster resilience, practice self-compassion, and foster hope—even when the path seems unclear. It's not uncommon to find ourselves ensnared in cycles of negative thinking that foster shame, grappling with emotional regulation that impacts our relationships, or struggling to stay anchored in the present, affecting our decision-making abilities. At K & K Holistic Counseling, we are dedicated to guiding you through these challenges, helping you cultivate a life of significance and joy. Our mission is to offer a therapeutic environment that is both welcoming and collaborative, focusing on the individual as a whole rather than a constellation of symptoms. With our expertise in DBT, Person-Centered Therapy, and trauma-informed approaches, we partner with you to set and achieve goals that resonate with your deepest values. If you are prepared to embark on a journey toward breaking free from counterproductive cycles and embracing a more fulfilled existence, we invite you to connect with us.

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Dr. Ginneh Akbar
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

Life burning down around you? Cool, grab a seat. Cry, laugh, drop a few F-bombs. You’re safe here. Welcome to therapy! I’m a therapist, a professor, and a real human who’s lived through real things. I don’t do this work from a distance. I’ve moved through anxiety and depression. I’ve grieved the loss of people I love. I’ve gone through divorce. I’m raising a child with special needs… and all of that shapes how I show up for you. In my therapy space, we slow down. We breathe. We talk honestly. We laugh sometimes. We grieve sometimes. And we make room for the parts of you that you’ve had to hide to survive. Therapy should reflect your inner world and the world you live in, so I bring a progressive, social justice-rooted perspective to my work. I see you as a whole person through a bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual lens. I am fat-positive, sex-positive, kink-friendly, and identity-affirming. I am client-centered and strengths-based. Going to therapy can be scary. You’re pouring your life out to someone you don’t know. You’re sharing things you’ve never said out loud. That takes vulnerability. Folks trust me to hold some of the most complicated parts of their lives. It’s an honor, and I want to be a good vessel for that, someone who holds your story with care and compassion, and without judgment. I believe everyone should have access to affordable health and mental health care, so don't let the price deter you. Contact me to discuss our sliding scale. I also offer a no-pressure, first session to make sure it is a good fit!

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Kate Lang
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

I have clients from a variety of backgrounds and demographics. A large portion of my caseload are students, especially students who are currently in graduate programs. See my webpages below for more information! katelanglpc.com https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kate-lang-philadelphia-pa/727975

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Dara Lindsey
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

Welcome! Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, so I strive to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and truly understood. Every person who walks into therapy is different, and I honor that. I work with teens, adults, and older adults navigating life’s challenges—whether it’s managing anxiety, coping with change, building confidence, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again. Some of my clients are high performers or athletes; others are just trying to manage daily stress, relationships, or emotional overwhelm. No matter your story, I tailor therapy to fit your unique needs—drawing from approaches like CBT and strengths-based strategies. I’m passionate about this work because I’ve seen how mental health impacts every part of life—from performance and relationships to life transitions and confidence. As a former West Chester University Division II athlete, I understand firsthand the mental load that comes with high performance, pressure, and pushing through—even when you’re not okay. That lived experience helps me support clients who are navigating high expectations, both in sport and in life. In our sessions, you can expect a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where I get to know you and your goals. I believe therapy works best when it’s a team effort. Together, we’ll explore what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what needs to shift. My style is a blend of warmth, honesty, and gentle challenge. I’ll always meet you where you are, but I’m not afraid to help you look at patterns that may be holding you back. Whether you need space to process, a sounding board for decision-making, or someone to help connect the dots—I’m here to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and offer honest feedback to help you make meaningful progress. If you’re ready to prioritize your well-being—whether as an individual or an athlete—I’d be honored to support you on that journey!

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Jessica Kravetz (Resilience Lab)
Pre-Licensed Professional
Philadelphia, PA

In working together, you will receive a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to unpack your fears, concerns, and worries. I have worked in various settings with various populations; no need to be embarrassed, ashamed, or worried of anything you might share. I'm here with you through it all and will provide you with understanding, reassurance, and encouragement. My work with a wide range of clients, and my personal struggle with chronic health issues, gives me a special understanding for others who may be experiencing loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, fear, adjustment issues, and relationship challenges. I use a person-centered approach to counseling, with techniques drawn from CBT, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and existential theory. In listening to your story and gaining an understanding of your goals and values, I can help you problem-solve and create unique ways to help you navigate life’s challenges. If the idea of starting therapy is bringing up feelings of fear, anxiousness, or uncertainty, I challenge you to try thinking about it as an exciting opportunity to put the pieces of your life together, make sense of what isn’t working, and allow space for the best version of you to manifest. I am here for you.

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Lifted Therapy and Movement LLC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

Hi, I’m Djola McGowan, but most people lovingly call me DJ. I’m a neurodivergent Licensed Professional Counselor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I identify as a woman and use she/her pronouns. As a first-generation American with roots in Jamaica—the land of wood and water—I bring a rich, culturally informed perspective to my work. I believe therapy is a revolutionary act of self-care and a collaborative journey. My approach to therapy is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and cultural awareness. I truly believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens within us, but also in our relationships, families, and the systems we move through every day. As someone who values both personal insight and practical tools, I draw from Structural Family Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients make sense of how their emotions, thoughts, and family dynamics all intertwine. Together, we untangle the patterns that are keeping you stuck and work toward building new, healthier ways of being — both within yourself and in your relationships.

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Ryan Cocron
Marriage & Family Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Brian Esposito
Psychologist
Philadelphia, PA

Hello! My balanced, low-pressure approach lets you work at your own pace and address areas you feel are important. We all can feel stuck from time to time. My job is to help get you unstuck. Through therapy, you can expect to gain insight about long standing patterns of thinking, feeling, or acting that may be getting in the way of you from enjoying life more fully. My specialties are providing treatment and guidance through major life transitions and addressing long standing patterns. I am skilled at resolving issues within relationships and finding a shared middle-ground. If desired, I am happy to integrate topics of faith and spiritual life into our work. I am currently accepting new patients. Please call or email me for an initial consultation and see how I might be able to be of some help.

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Hannah Gordon
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Kaity Bushinski
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

When many people begin therapy, they don't know where to start. That is totally normal and no one I see needs to have all the answers right now. The people I work with often are going through a tough transition, experiencing stress at school, struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression, or they may have had something really distressing happen to them. Often, they may be noticing patterns of avoidance, procrastination, and self-shaming. Sometimes they're also experiencing stress in their relationships. Whatever is happening, I honor how challenging the process of reaching out for support can be, and I am here to help by working together with those who come to my practice. I specialize in attachment based EMDR therapy, which is incredibly useful for addressing distressing events (in the past or present); chronic stress, severe anxiety, and feeling like you are "stuck" on an issue that just doesn't seem to go away. It can also help resolve old wounds that are impacting current relationships. I'm here to help make the process of beginning therapy easier and help create a sense of safety by collaborating with you to address your needs. I also respect that paying for therapy can be complicated. To help, I offer a service where I can submit billing info to a service that files documentation with your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursements. If eligible, you may be able to receive a portion of your money back for therapy, making payment easier. I am also able to check to see if you're eligible for reimbursement. If you are a student in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Florida, the next step is to email or call me today. I look forward to connecting!

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J. Zoe Grobman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

When we are facing life stressors, we often focus on addressing the immediate symptoms. This can be very adaptive. However, if we only ever focus on the immediate symptoms of our struggles, then we may never recognize or have the possibility of healing the cause of our pain. I believe that therapy provides a powerful space to explore, understand, and ultimately heal the root causes of our struggles. I approach my work with insight from a variety of therapeutic frameworks, including Narrative Therapy, IFS, Solution Focused Therapy, & Attachment Theory. I am also formally trained in EMDR which I can incorporate into therapy. I approach therapy with an anti-oppressive lens to assist clients dealing with the impacts of homophobia, transphobia, racism, ableism, and misogyny and am versed in supporting individuals with a wide range of challenges, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Bipolar, and chronic pain. I come to my work not merely as an outsider with expertise, but as a neurodivergent and transgender individual myself who has lived experience navigating many of the issues I work to help others heal from. It has been my privilege to help a wide variety of clients, and I look forward to learning how I can help you too!

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Jenna Loz
Pre-Licensed Professional
Philadelphia, PA

I had a hard time finding a therapist that thought like me when I was a younger. As a member of the LGBT+ community, it is important to me that my clients know I hear the ways that the world is not built for them. Our work in therapy is to find ways to get your needs met in an often unaccommodating or misunderstanding world. I recognize the power of your experiences and how relationships (healthy & unhealthy) can define your perspective on yourself and others. Building a trusting rapport with you as your therapist is my top priority. Together we can make sense of what happened, your reactions, and how to reclaim a sense of self, safety, and belonging in the world by your own definition. ‍ I am a pre-licensed clinician based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under supervision of multiple licensed clinicians.

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Daya Deuskar, MSS, LSW
Pre-Licensed Professional
Philadelphia, PA

Some of us hold onto “the hurt” for years and years until it becomes so faint— so normalized— we lose the ability to fully remember what life unburdened by “the hurt” can feel like. As a trauma therapist, my goal is to help you regain autonomy, awareness, and understanding over your life, your relationships, and your path forward. Each and every part of you has played a role in helping you survive “the world as it is.” My goal is to help you discover the slice of “the world as it should be,” mobilizing you towards finding healing community, chosen family, or space where you can flourish— where hypervigilance and fear melt away. I work best with fellow creatives, performers, organizers, underdogs, self-starters, former gifted kids, healers, survivors, and meaning seekers. I’m not easily shocked or appalled— you don’t have to be ashamed of your lived experience, and you are never going to be “too much.” All who are Queer, Trans, -of Color, (Dis)abled, & Neurodiverse are especially welcome. I have seven years of experience in supporting people on their life transitions and mental wellness journey as a life coach & case manager prior to becoming a Licensed Social Worker. I’m been training and practicing with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy since 2021 for both individuals and couples. I’m also cohort member of the Embody Lab’s next Integrstive Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification for Fall 2025. If you are a survivor of sexual assault or other crimes of a similar nature in Pennsylvania, I may be able to offer net-zero fee therapy under PA’s Victims Conpensation Assistance Program. I’m here for the short-term or the long-haul— your healing journey is in your hands, and you determine the pace and speed we go. If you need someone to press you forward and hold you accountable, I can do that. If you need someone to just “hold space” until you’re ready to do something later, I often do that too. The door is always open. Talk soon? P.S. I unironically and unapologetically LOVE em dashes— hands off, GenAI!

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Laura Geftman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

Okay, let me guess — life feels like a lot right now. You’re overwhelmed, drained, and stuck in patterns that just aren’t working anymore. Maybe you’re questioning your relationships, struggling at work, or wondering why you feel so disconnected. That glass of whiskey, wine, or weed isn’t helping like it used to. With nearly 20 years of experience, I use Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you process difficult emotions, release what’s weighing you down, and reconnect with yourself. Together, we’ll create a path toward feeling more grounded and at peace. I help people work through anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and feeling emotionally drained. ART helps resolve distressing memories quickly, while IFS helps you understand and care for the parts of yourself that feel stuck or overwhelmed. My approach is compassionate and direct — focused on helping you feel more grounded and in control of your life. You don’t have to figure it out alone. While you might not feel it right now, you know you’re ready for change. I’d be honored to support you as you take the first step toward relief and clarity. I’m out-of-network with insurance, but we can explore ways to make it work. You’re worth the effort — reach out when you’re ready.

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Victoria Prisco
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

College. Relationships. Stress. Anxiety. ADHD. Feels like it's all in a blender together, right? But guess what? You don't have to be stuck in that smoothie. I specialize in helping college students like you navigate this crazy time of life. We'll talk through the relationship stuff, figure out ways to manage stress and anxiety, and even build strategies for conquering that pesky ADHD beast. Ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start thriving? Schedule your free consultation call. Let's create a college experience that's not just about surviving, but about actually feeling empowered and freaking awesome. Call, text or email me today! vprisco@victoriaprisco.net, 215.290.4090

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Lauren Whitehouse
Pre-Licensed Professional
Philadelphia, PA

You feel like you could be doing better and that you have some areas in your life that you could improve in. You want to learn effective strategies and skills, break the cycles you are in, make deep insights, and improve your life and the relationship you have with yourself and others. We will explore your sense of self, relationships, personal aspirations, life stressors, goals and more. We will uncover your patterns of behavior and create a deeper understanding of who you are and what you value. We will talk about the therapy process and make sure I set the stage so that you can understand how I can best support you. My unique combination of three master’s degrees supports my skillset of critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, and emotional intelligence. My style can be best described as being supportive, directive, playful, and challenging. I value your time, energy, and money and so I cater our sessions to be most productive, efficient, and supportive for you. I'll help you expand your level of self-awareness, enrich your relationships, and increase your personal growth. Your investment in therapy is an investment in your potential. I'll support you & create a safe space for you to be vulnerable. I appreciate you and promise to respond to your message. Thank you for reading about me, I look forward to meeting you!

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Abby Panetta Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, PA

Hi, I'm Abby! After working as a therapist at a group practice for a couple of years, I became passionate about building my own practice where I get to work solely with young adults navigating the challenges of coming-of-age. I am committed to staying up-to-date on the latest research and techniques in the field of mental health so that I can provide you with the best possible care. A little about me: I attended Saint Joseph's University for undergraduate school and Villanova University for graduate school. I have been living in Philadelphia for over 10 years, and I have over 4 years of experience working with teenagers, college students, and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, relationships, school stressors, self-esteem, life transitions and more. Whether you're navigating life transitions or managing overwhelming emotions, I am here to empower you with practical tools and insights to thrive in every aspect of your life journey. My goal is to work with you to create meaningful experiences that increase optimism, hope, and motivation along with a sense of control, worth, empowerment, purpose, connectedness, and well-being.

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Shara Harad-Oaks
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Philadelphia, PA

Do emotions take over and exhaust you? Have people marveled at how resilient you are or mentioned your sensitivity as a liability? Maybe you sometimes wonder if you’re the only one who is seeing the hurt and pain all around. It’s likely you have figured out how to adapt to what the world wants you to be. You present the part of yourself that is widely accepted by your community and our social systems, but what about the rest of YOU? We always hear that college is the best days of our lives, but it is also a time a self discovery. That discovery process can be painful, and I can help. I guide young adults to connect to their inherent worth, power, and self-compassion. I work collaboratively with clients and draw from an expansive toolbox including body-oriented practices, talk therapy, and expressive arts. I am well suited to work with clients who are interested in mindfulness meditation and other body-based exercises to be the center of their therapeutic experience. My scope of practice includes anxiety, grief, burn-out, persistent depression, relational stressors, survivors of sexual trauma, and those navigating life as an artist. I align with clients whose identities and values defy society's conventional norms. My practice is trauma-informed, and I am dedicated to an anti-oppression, anti-racist, body positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming and equitable lens.

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