Our therapists offer PTSD & trauma therapy in Pittsburgh, PA

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 6 years of experience, and I specialize in supporting individuals through challenging emotional periods. I work with clients motivated to foster personal growth and improve their overall well-being through the therapeutic process. I create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and emotions while developing strategies to achieve your goals and experience meaningful change.

I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College, where I developed a strong foundation in evidence-based practices. I use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused techniques, and mindfulness strategies to meet each client’s unique needs and promote personal growth.

As an extrovert and lifelong athlete, I value teamwork, collaboration, and building strong relationships to achieve shared goals. Therapy is a place where you don’t have to carry your burdens alone. I invite you to take the next step and schedule a session where we can work together on your journey toward healing and growth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.