Therapists for college students near Pittsburgh, PA

We are Pennsylvania's premier therapy & assessments centers. We’re not simply counselors for your mind. We specialize in a results-based, individualized approach to healing and mental well being. Our clients are people; with their own lives, experiences and lifestyle. At Makin Wellness we treat the person… not the ailment.

Brynne has a history of working with college age students in an outpatient setting. Brynne works with students in all stages of their college experience. From students who are taking 1-2 classes to students who are in technical schools to students working on certificates to students who are non-traditional students to students who are working on their associates to their bachelors, master’s, PhD and/or MD degrees. She has assisted young adults with navigating the transition to college, learning coping skills and life skills, and managing evolving relationships and life stressors while adjusting to setting safe and healthy boundaries in their lives. Brynne also has a history of working with students who have moved from other countries to pursue their education in the United States of America. She has worked with the students to assist them in working through their emotions related to becoming acclimated to a new country, learning/incorporating new cultural norms, navigating familial expectations and other feelings as they arise.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with college students, adults, and couples. I specialize in treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and coping with life stressors. I am a cognitive-behavioral therapist and my goal is to help clients develop strategies to make meaningful change in their lives. Goals for therapy could include better understanding your thoughts and emotions, learning to practice healthy ways of coping, processing traumatic events, increasing self-esteem and self-compassion, improving emotion regulation, and improving relationships with boundaries and assertive communication. I have extensive experience working with clients using short-term, evidence-based treatments. I also enjoy working with longer-term clients who want to focus on increasing self-awareness, identifying your values, and achieving personal growth. Therapy is a collaborative flexible process tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals. I use a strengths-based approach. I received my undergraduate degree from Brown University and my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Binghamton University (SUNY). I am a certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD and I have served as a consultant for the National Center for PTSD training program.

Looking for a compassionate, trauma-informed space to grow your sense of empowerment? My approach to therapy starts with building a therapeutic relationship with authenticity and humor. Let’s get to know each other to find out if we’re a good fit! I specialize in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders in young adults and college students. I frequently work with queer and trans individuals, neurodiverse clients, and anyone hoping to reconnect with their emotions. I am confident in helping survivors of complex trauma revisit and process painful memories, then ground in the present moment before leaving the therapy office. I have received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Integrated Treatment for Complex Trauma. I also incorporate principles of mindfulness and somatic therapy that emphasize the mind-body connection. While my style is informed by these modalities, each session will be unique to your preferences, needs, and goals.

I have practiced child, adolescent and adult psychiatry in Pittsburgh since 1976. I graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1972 and completed specialty training at the University of PIttsburgh School of Medicine/Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1976. I am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and bipolar disorders. My approach is to be thorough and to evaluate and treat each individual systematically and carefully. I have extensive experience with difficult to treat psychiatric conditions. I have a full time office manager and a 24 hour per day answering service. I am available for emergencies. Someone will always answer my telephone and all telephone calls are returned. My typical visits are from 20 to 60 minutes depending on the needs of each person.

The goal of Premier Psychotherapy is to create a place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of judgment. Some area of expertise include: Complex Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma-Focused Play Therapy, Foster Care/Adoption, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Christian Counseling, Inner Child Work and more.

At some point along the journey, our stories demand to be told. Whether through painful emotional and physical symptoms, relationship struggles, or other interruptive experiences, our lives catch up to us. They ask for our attention. Therapy is a place where, together, we can pay closer attention to your story and the person you are becoming. We are all always in process. I believe that we can experience true healing in a human encounter, and I strive to deeply listen to my clients, bringing curiosity and attention to the parts of you that may have gone unnoticed. Approach to Therapy My counseling approach is rooted in relational psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on patterns and themes from early childhood and how they show up in your life today. This approach also emphasizes the relationship between the therapist and client as a vehicle for healing and change. It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with, and it may take you some time to discern the right fit. I respect the vulnerability and bravery required to step into this work, and aim to meet you with humility, curiosity, and a responsible awareness of my own intersecting identities. Each person brings unique concerns and needs, and I am committed to ongoing research and training to provide the best care I can. I draw from a variety of approaches, including attachment-based therapy, family systems work, liberation psychology, Internal Family Systems (informed, not certified), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Narrative-Focused Trauma Therapy. Background: I have worked with at-risk youth, college students, and folks from all walks of life in outpatient and community mental health settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater, and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Trauma and Abuse from the Seattle School (2023). Outside of therapy, I enjoy lots of things, including yoga, performing arts, poetry, and being outside!

Hello and welcome to Pittsburgh PCIT and Counseling! My experience to therapy is eclectic-meaning I use many different approaches including: person-centered, trauma informed, and mindfulness. Through these approaches I am able to address a number of mental health concerns including, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, trauma, personal adjustments, stress, LGBTQ+ issues, and other life stressors.

Nadine M. Cramer, LPCC-S, LPC College life comes with incredible opportunities — and real challenges. Whether you're managing stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, navigating a difficult transition, or carrying the weight of past trauma, you don't have to figure it out alone. With over 22 years of experience working with adults, I bring a grounded, compassionate approach to helping you understand what's getting in your way — and build the practical skills to move forward. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we'll work together at your pace, in a space where you are always safe to be honest and never judged for where you are. You've already done something brave by being here. Let's take the next step together. Accepting new clients. Virtual sessions available.

College can feel like a lot to carry. Classes, relationships, expectations, and trying to figure out what comes next. You might look like you’re handling things on the outside, but inside feel overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, or unsure of yourself. You may notice the same patterns showing up in relationships or feel like you’re falling behind. You are not alone, this is a very common experience. Therapy is a place to sort through what’s going on and understand why things feel this way. With over 20 years of experience, I work with students navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, academic challenges and family and relationship challenges. I offer a warm, supportive space where you can talk openly, make sense of your experiences, and start to feel steadier and more confident. Together, we’ll work on building healthier boundaries, finding clarity, and helping you move forward in a way that feels right for you. If you’d like to connect, email is the best way to reach me. I look forward to hearing from you.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and I am a perfect fit if you are missing your pet and believe healing feels better with an animal by your side. At Comfort Companions Counseling, I bring the human-animal bond into therapy in a real and meaningful way, creating a warm and judgment-free space where you can slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build real coping skills. I specialize in working with college students navigating anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, life transitions, and the emotional exhaustion that comes with trying to do it all. Services include individual telehealth therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and The Comfort Canine Program, a 5-week therapy dog assisted somatic group designed specifically for college students. I also conduct ESA evaluations with care and thoroughness, and a letter will be provided if clinically appropriate following the completion of the evaluation. Sessions are held via telehealth so you can show up from wherever feels most comfortable — your dorm, your apartment, or your couch. Your pet is always welcome to join, and my co-therapist Milly, a certified therapy dog, can also be part of your sessions for extra support and comfort.

Do you feel isolated, like you just can’t really seem to connect with others in a meaningful way? Is life starting to become boringly repetitive with no end in sight? Are you drinking or using other drugs more than you are comfortable and worry you might have a problem? Maybe you chronically feel depressed, anxious, or that your mood is just all over the place for no obvious reason? Are you experiencing distressing memories, thoughts, and strong feelings without having a sense of control over them? I can help you by developing healthy self-resourcing tools to manage your thoughts, feelings, and distress experiences. I work with individuals by offering a healthy, nonjudgmental, encouraging, and collaborative relationship that promote your strengths through a process of discovery, acceptance, growth, and becoming. I believe every person has an inherent potential for growth. I work diligently with you as a collaborator to help you harness this potential through support, encouragement, and, at times, even challenging you. I work with adults of all ages, gender identities, races, sexual orientations and economic/ethnic backgrounds to treat a wide range of problems like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic anger management issues, addiction, PTSD, and a variety of other behavior conditions. I practice eclectically with a strong emphasis on Person-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy. I am trained in a variety of techniques including Motivational Interviewing and EMDR.

I specialize in working with children, teens and adults of all ages with life changes/ transitions, mood disorders and emotional regulation, stress management, self-esteem and self-confidence, and grief and loss. My approach to therapy is client-centered, solution-focused, strengths-based and trauma-informed.

Our aim is to create a collaborative, person-centered healing relationship with clients. The dynamic of this co-created space is one where you can explore and find your unique tools, techniques, and strengths to empower your authentic self, as well as your understanding of the world around us. Our intention in all levels of our work is to decolonize the therapeutic space. We are LGBTQIA2S+ affirming and sex-positive. We are dedicated to the continuous engagement--both professionally and personally--that this requires. Most of us identify as queer and/or neurodivergent, and several of us also live with chronic illnesses. We believe that clients have the right to interview their clinicians and choose someone they can ask questions to and get honest answers!

I work primarily with college students and young adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and general life stressors. I have many years of experiencing working at different universities in the Pittsburgh area, which is helpful to my work with students as I am particularly knowledgeable about resources, common stressors students at each school experience, and how best to navigate university systems when you are struggling emotionally. I am experienced in supporting international, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ students. I have a warm, conversational style, and am adept at helping students gain skills and discover tools for managing their emotional struggles at the pace that works best for them.

I founded Tranquil Trails with a vision to create a therapeutic space where young adults entering the "real" world feel safe to bring their whole selves into the room—without fear of judgment or dismissal, using unconditional positive regard and holistic therapy that encompass an individual and does not place people into boxes or make assumptions. I believe that when we as therapists approach our work with the vulnerability, compassion, and transparency of our humanness, we invite our clients to do the same. At Tranquil Trails, we specialize in working with youth and adults—as they navigate the ebbs and flows of transitional age, complicated by economic hardship, daily reminders of systemic oppression, access to violent videos occurring in real time across the world, AI and misinformation, fear of rights being taken away or have been, frequent complicated family histories with psychosocial stressors daily. And on top of that many of our clients are in college, graduate school, medical school or pursuing an academic career. We invite our clients into the process of collaborative treatment planning, using their own words to create positive and achievable goals. We notice when something is different and we highlight it. We teach them that to see the positives in oneself is to go against the grain of all we have been taught as members of the system. Overachieve, don’t rest, never stop producing, never slow down. We are missing out on life, and the ability to sit with emotions. The ability to notice any positive emotions at all. Our vision at Tranquil Trails is to create a compassionate, inclusive, and supportive community where individuals feel empowered to take charge of their mental health journey. We aim to foster a world where mental health struggles are not only normalized but seen as a trait of humanness, and where healing, personal growth, and resilience are accessible to all. We envision a future where every client, regardless of background or limitations, has the tools, support, and confidence to craft a life that works for them. Through authenticity, collaboration, and evidence-based care, we strive to break the stigma around mental health and create lasting positive change in the lives of those we serve.

Many of us have been running all our lives. Practice stopping. Thich Nhat Hanh Thank you for Inviting us to meet you in the middle of your journey and taking us with you on your next steps. We want to acknowledge the courage it takes to seek the help when things get tough, and it feels unbalanced. We are here to walk with you and to help you find your way. We understand that you can’t change the past and want to help you bridge your life and values in order to move forward. We use an acceptance stance and behavioral activation skills in order to assist you with finding your most fulfilling path. We will provide you with support and guidance through difficult times and life’s transitions. We want to help provide you with useful skills to answer the questions that you may face. We have over 15 years of experience working with a variety of people. We have the knowledge of working in a variety of settings and seeing people in different struggles in their lives. We have learned to engage with people in a variety of different ways in order to help promote healing and understanding that is unattainable on your own. It takes different questioning and new lenses to break old patterns of behavior and old responses. We teach people to be proactive and understanding instead of reactive and repetitive. If you want to have a healthier more understanding view of yourself with skills to deal with those difficult times, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

I see one of the most important roles as a therapist to be putting in the work to earn someone’s trust and walking beside them as an accomplice on their path towards growth. I don’t believe that people are “broken” or “need to be fixed”, but rather that somewhere within every person lies the capacity to generate change. I believe this change begins by finding someone trustworthy to support them through this process. And—that being kinder and gentler towards ourselves goes a long way to building the foundation for this change to occur. My experiences span across 15 years, with the scope of my direct work supporting clients in their exploration of gender expression/transition, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss and more- all within Allegheny County. I am also happy to provide evaluations and letters for Gender Affirming surgeries, Green Card Status, and Emotional Support Animals. The world is an often hard place to be, and my goal is to create a space for softness to occur. To not only listen but to hear and understand. To respect through accountability. To address struggles through processing and also through action leading to systemic change.

Please see www.drramirao.com for more information! Office hours are by appointment, M-Th and Saturday.

Of all the relationships we have in our lives, I believe that the one you have with yourself is the most important and impactful. Therapy allows a person to create an authentic relationship with oneself. Through the therapeutic process, a person is able to find and access their own innate ability to heal and grow within a supportive, compassionate, and empowering environment. My passion for this work comes from seeing my clients evolve to feel happier and healthier in their daily lives. What I do: Individual Psychotherapy- I provide both in-person and telehealth treatment for teenagers, young adults, and adults, focusing a wide array of concerns including: life transitions, traumatic life experiences, daily functioning impairment, anxiety, and depression ​Gender and Sexuality Affirming Mental Health Care- I provide a safe space for those of you within the LGBTQIA+ community to process concerns unique to your own lived experiences ​Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)- EMDR is a research-backed treatment developed to help you heal following traumatic events by processing memories and gaining control over the way the trauma history impacts the mind and body. ​Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- CBT is used to help you understand and learn skills to challenge unhelpful or maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns ​Mindfulness- Mindfulness techniques are used to teach you how to relate to your thoughts differently and to live in the moment