Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Pittsburgh, PA (Shadyside)

"As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I believe in being a compassionate and empathetic listener."

Rachael Heiser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 5 years of experience working with families, couples, and clients of all ages to cope with concerns or conditions related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, family conflict, abuse, trauma, grief, loss, mood disorders, adoption-related issues, infidelity, and much more. 

She earned her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University. Rachael is an active member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She also has years of experience working with a number of therapy modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative family therapy (NFT), emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and structural family therapy (SFT).

In sessions, Rachael provides a safe and empathetic atmosphere for you and your family to have honest (and sometimes difficult) conversations. She approaches each session with an open mind. Rachael believes we all have internal strengths but sometimes just need some help navigating these strengths to achieve our goals.

"I believe that developing self-awareness is a unique process for every individual and is the key to healing and overcoming life’s challenges."

Laura Marsico is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 4 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in working with adolescents and adults dealing with the variety of challenges associated with life changes, as well as those affected by anxiety, chronic illness, depression, family and relational issues, grief and loss, and trauma. Laura has worked in community and residential settings and has experience as a teacher and an artist.

Laura received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Master of Arts in Studio Arts from Western Carolina University. She views clients holistically, and her integrative approach includes cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, and expressive arts.

Laura appreciates that while life continually happens, it is easy to lose sight of one’s truth amidst the chaos of today’s world. By offering compassion and empathy, Laura listens with care and aims to help clients learn new ways to communicate, cope, and heal through living in alignment with their core values.

"As a trauma survivor and care provider, I am deeply invested in my client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy process."

Darby Testa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania. In her 10 years of direct care and supervisory experience, she has worked to promote social justice for individuals and care systems. Darby has extensive training and experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are affected by chronic health conditions, sleep, disorders, mood disorders, dysfunctional relationships, and coping. She is open-minded, non-judgmental, and compassionate.

Darby earned her Master's degree from the University of Michigan. She works to support individuals and couples to enhance or develop skills to manage life stressors, mood disruptions, and communication by building on their existing strengths. With a strong background in both mental health and addiction treatment, Darby competently and comfortably treats behavioral health disorders. Treating the person, not just the problem or its symptoms, is critical to long-term success in therapy. Darby seeks to understand you and your world and help you to adapt to its changing demands.

Darby will help you to identify your goals from session one. She understands that any life change has benefits and drawbacks worth exploring and will meet you where you are with readiness and willingness to change, to help make the most impact. Whatever your motivation, Darby is ready to listen. As a trauma survivor and care provider, she is deeply invested in her client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy process.

"As a gay man, I empathize with those who feel like they're outsiders."

Evan Csir is a Licensed Practicing Counselor with over 9 years of experience. He is passionate about working with people, especially autistic individuals. He is experienced in helping clients with depression, anxiety, and ADHD issues.

Evan earned his BA in English and Psychology from Thiel College in 2007 and his MA in Counseling in 2013 at Edinboro University. Evan has worked with children his entire professional career as he's worked in BHRS and family-based therapy. He also participated in the intensive family coaching program (parent-child interaction therapy which is done in the home). Evan uses person-centered, behavioral therapy, CBT, and DBT techniques.

Evan is a firm believer that we are all works in progress and never stop growing. He likes to use the metaphor of maintaining a yoga pose: The things in life that challenge us the most are the poses we need to work on the most.

"As a woman of color who was raised in an interracial home. I can bring a unique perspective to any situation of exploration and intersectionality's.Monica"

Monica Cwynar is a Licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping her patients reach their goals. She is interested in working with adults and children and helping them live fulfilled lives. Monica specializes in depression, end of life, grief, anxiety, relationship challenges, co-parenting, trauma, family, and major life transitions. She completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was the first minority to receive a Hartford Fellowship in the School of Social Work.

Monica utilizes multiple treatment approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, gestalt, exploration of patterns and emotions, psych education, role playing, structured problem solving, and cognitive reframing.

Monica is passionate about normalizing mental health treatment and removing the stigma while encouraging access for all. If you're ready to take the first steps in meeting your goals, then Monica is ready to get started.

"As a counselor, I implement compassion and empathy to create a safe, comfortable space for clients to be themselves and work towards healing."

Heather Richards is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience working with diverse populations, from preschool-aged children to older adults. She has supported individuals facing trauma, grief, and loss, and has worked with clients navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Heather’s background includes work with at-risk youth, family systems, and outpatient and group therapy. She is passionate about helping clients committed to healing and personal growth.

Heather earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She uses a client-centered, integrative approach that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and strength-based techniques. She meets clients where they are while encouraging growth outside their comfort zone.

Heather helps clients feel empowered in their healing journey by fostering connection and trust. She values each client’s input and believes therapy should be tailored to individual needs and never one-size-fits-all. Heather supports clients in developing tools to manage symptoms, build resilience, and improve their quality of life.

"I approach therapy sessions as if we're sorting through the puzzle pieces of your life; we'll work together to put the pieces where they belong and create a picture of what you want your life to look like."

Layla Bruzda is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience working in both inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment, as well as outpatient mental health treatment for adolescents and adults. She is helping clients to address substance use problems, trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, ADHD symptoms, grief/loss, relationship problems, communication/conflict resolution, legal involvement, and day-to-day life stressors.

Layla earned a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She uses a person-centered approach to help clients achieve their goals. She utilizes cognitive behavior therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, motivational Interviewing, and other approaches based on individual needs and goals.

Layla believes that everyone deserves to live a peaceful and fulfilling life, despite past mistakes or difficult life experiences. She recognizes that carrying around this emotional weight can be physically and mentally exhausting, or lead to feeling "stuck." Layla's goal is to help clients process these issues to lighten the weight of life's challenges.

"As a therapist excited to serve you, I use person-centered, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness therapies."

Anne M. Riddle is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has vast clinical experience working with individuals, children, and families with a vast array of issues such as abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, panic attacks, suicide, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, tobacco addiction, bipolar depression, child neglect, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mrs. Riddle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University DuBois Campus. She graduated with an honorary membership from the Delta Mu Sigma honor society. She went on to receive a Master’s degree in counseling from St. Bonaventure University with a membership of the Chi Sigma Iota honor society. Mrs. Riddle attended the Hamburg, NY campus of St. Bonaventure University and received her degree in 2008.

"I will strive to assist you on your journey of self-exploration while creating a safe, genuine, and open-minded environment for growth and self-improvement."

Jordan Stash is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 3 years of experience in the mental health field. He has experience working with all age groups, including children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. He strives to assist his clients in a variety of ways, helping them navigate through difficult times, processing emotions, and more. He specializes in several areas including depression, anxiety, gender identity, sexual orientation, LGBTQIA+ issues, and child therapy.

Jordan holds his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Student Affairs from California University-Pennsylvania. He has worked with children on the autism spectrum, assisting them with recognizing behaviors, processing emotions, and more. He is a former behavioral therapist who utilizes multiple treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and solutions-focused brief therapy (SFBT).

Everyone has different perspectives and personal experiences. Jordan believes he can offer guidance and support on your new journey to a more productive, insightful sense of well-being. Jordan will help you develop skills and techniques, as well as cultivate a greater understanding of yourself and your experiences. Reach out to schedule with Jordan today.

"As an individual who has dealt with mental health concerns personally and professionally, I believe in psychoeducation and the healing of the body in correlation with the mind."

Danielle (Dani) Lusty is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a decade of experience working with individuals ages 11 and above who struggle with anxiety, depression, time management, life transitions, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health diagnoses. She has treated a variety of populations including the homeless, individuals within the legal system, and those suffering from alcohol and substance misuse disorder.

Dani has a Master’s in Art Therapy with a specialization in Counseling from Seton Hill University. She uses a variety of clinical techniques that focus on reality therapy, solution-focused treatment, and a person-centered approach.

Dani is honored to serve others in their time of need and educate her clients on how their presenting symptoms affect their minds and bodies. She encourages you to book an appointment today!

“Thoughts become things...choose the good ones!" (-Mike Dooley/TUT). Kate has 15 years’ experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. She takes a holistic, eclectic, integrative approach to counseling, with the desire to create a "home base" -- a safe, caring, empathic and nonjudgmental environment to explore, heal, and reunite the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of who you are. She incorporates traditional evidence-based modalities; wisdom gleaned from broad life experiences; a deep, spiritual relationship with her own humanness; and good old-fashioned common sense. One of Kate’s greatest realizations is that our thoughts and beliefs are not always reliable sources of information. When faced with stress, sorrow, pain, trauma and tragedy, inaccurate thoughts and beliefs can lead to depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, and unnecessary suffering. This in turn can lead us down distressing paths. Kate commends you for recognizing and accepting that you can't figure it all out by yourself. She desires to help you learn to think clearly and effectively in times of crisis; show courage in the face of trauma; and find humor amid tragedy. She endeavors to help you make sense out of things that just don't seem to make sense.

Theresa Welsh is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a passion for providing the utmost quality of services to individuals, couples, and families struggling with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, abuse, ADHD, stress, family conflict, life transitions, grief, and more. 

Theresa received her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Geneva College, where she focused her studies on Marriage and Families. Her clinical vision is to ensure a virtual space that is a safe place for clients to experience their vulnerabilities while sharing their stories. Theresa implements both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solutions-focused therapy (SFT), and motivational interviewing interventions in her practice. 

Theresa’s strength-based approach, non-judgmental nature, and focus on strong therapeutic relationships all help her clients grow to accomplish their goals. Reach out to build on your strengths and attain the growth Theresa can help you stay committed to accomplishing.