Therapists in Penbrook, PA

Hi! Let me start by telling you a little about myself. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I have 23 years of experience working in the mental health field. I have worked with a culturally diverse population with a variety of mental health challenges. I assist clients with creating goals to improve their mental health and wellness. My counseling style is interactive, non-judgmental and respectful. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help others develop self-awareness, coping skills and behavior modification. I believe the therapeutic process is a partnership between a therapist and an active and willing participant focused on getting to wellness in their individual journey. As we all are complex and individual beings with personal underlying factors, my favored methodology is Integrative Therapy. I believe this method allows the therapist and the participant freedom to explore various aspects of self with varied approaches. If you are ready to take that first step towards change, I am here to support and empower you! Please note that I do not work on the weekends and won't be online. Let’s get started! Sandra Oteri, MS, LPC, NBCC

My name is Elizabeth “Liz” Smith. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, and a National Certified Counselor. I completed my master's degree in professional counseling at Waynesburg University in 2010 as a nontraditional student. I have primarily worked with those who have struggled with depression, anxiety, career issues, mood dysregulation, relationship and couple problems, and other life challenges presented by any type of life being disordered. I have worked with many families and children on the autism spectrum and have been told that my insight is helpful. I have obtained Specialized Family Therapy Certification and training to provide Co-Parenting, Trans-Parenting, and Re-unification services. Finally, I have also studied and provided grief and loss approaches in counseling. As a therapist, I walk alongside and focus on each person’s specific identified needs and I adjust my style accordingly. In addition to trauma evidence-based approaches, I tend to draw from client centered, solution focused, strength based and motivational approaches. Many of my clients have reported experiencing increased positive self-image, freedom from emotions tied to traumatic memories, and improved constructive communication and coping skills. I am down to earth and approachable. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, and without judgement, accepted and understood. I will check and respond to messages at least twice daily, six days a week. I will offer live chat, phone sessions and occasional video sessions weekly, mostly between the hours of 8 AM and 6 PM on identified days of the week.

Expression is essential in everyday life, especially when working through difficult times. In some circumstances, it can be difficult to verbally express oneself. Creative expression can demonstrate one’s thoughts and feelings in a tangible way that verbal expression is not always able to. Art Therapy can be helpful in exploring one’s thoughts and feelings and fostering self-awareness. As an Art Therapist, I have the ability and knowledge to bring artmaking into therapy to help facilitate the healing process. I practice with a person-centered, strength based, creative approach to meet clients where they are and help them start to make changes and heal. I graduated with my Masters in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling in 2014 from Seton Hill University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), as well as a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC). I have experience with Trauma Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, as well as Crisis Intervention.

I believe in incorporating an integrative, holistic approach to wellness, acknowledging the role of mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. Healing is also promoted through the development of psychosocial areas of life: career, emotional, social, and interpersonal. Holistic healing embraces body, mind, and spirit, and includes making sense of life from social, environmental, interpersonal, religious, and spiritual perspectives. I believe and uphold that all people are created with the purpose to live their lives to the fullest free from religious, racial, gender, or sexual biases. My therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), including Christian- and spiritually-integrated CBT. I am a multicultural competent counselor. As a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Divinity degree, I understand the need for some individuals to seek Christian counseling for a variety of issues. Sometimes there is a crisis of faith, other times there is a need to understand Biblical principles in relation to any issues or struggles. There are other times when a spiritual crisis or need occurs and a person may need to make sense of a situation from a spiritual perspective. I understand that both religion and spirituality are integral in treating the whole person. I understand that therapy is challenging for many people. Therefore, I importance of meeting individuals where they are....without judgment. My goal is to provide a non-judgmental, warm, safe, and healing environment. I believe that while "The past cannot be changed, the future is yet in your power."

I entered the helping profession in 1991. Over the years I've had experiences working with individual from a variety of ages, cultures , and backgrounds. Prior to obtaining my masters degree I worked as a case manager with foster children, a counselor at a day program for adolescents struggling with behavior and developmental issues, as well as intake/referral counselor for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. While working as a an intake worker/case manager for individuals with substance use disorders I decided to further my education. I wanted to develop more counseling skills and education in the helping profession to better serve in my community. My education background is from Alvernia College I obtained my Bachelors degree in Social Work in 1991, and my Masters degree with the focus of Community Counseling in 2007. I have been licensed as an LPC by the state of Pennsylvania since 2010. My experience since obtaining my masters degree includes helping individuals in group, as well as individual settings to improve their quality of life by managing mental health symptoms. I really enjoy watching individuals grow and find their own paths. I was able to assist them to develop new ways to cope with stressors from; current living situations, past histories that may have included trauma, and struggles from mental health symptoms. I believe that I can help in developing coping tools as well as providing an empathetic listening ear. In turn those, and my other therapy skills will help to more effectively manage thoughts, emotions and situations that life has brought to you. I look forward to helping you work toward developing your personal resilience to help you with your journey through life

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania with 21 years of professional work experience. I have worked in private practice for the last 10+ years. I have 20+ years of specialized experience in helping clients with sexual related issues[within the norm & otherwise including: issues of deviance, paraphilias, fetishes and issues of offending. As well as issues that arise from sex related employment i.e. working in the pornography industry, as an exotic dancer, or as a prostitute], I also have significant experience in working with those who struggle with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship & intimacy related issues, and trauma and abuse. I also see clients who have more general issues. I'm casual, friendly, and nonjudgemental, making me extremly easy to talk to. I have a great sense of humor that I find extremly valuable in the therapeutic process. Despite that humor will likely happen, I assure you that you will be treated with respect. However as a caution those who desire a highly professional, more formal, relationship with their service provider, or those whom are sensitive, substantially serious, or are highly religious may not be a successful match with me. I believe that you know you best and that you have a multitude of strengths and talents that will assist you in overcoming issues that challenge you. Your unique strengths and talents will aid in your success. Making changes to encourage a growingly meaningful and successful existence takes time, courage, and work. I would be honored to work with you, support you in this process, and watch you be succeed in meeting your goals.

Hello! I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 22 years of professional work experience. Since 2001 I have worked in multiple environments including Private Practice, Community Mental Health Agencies, Spiritual/Ministry settings, and in both Elementary and Secondary School settings. I have experience in helping clients with depression, stress/anxiety, LGBTQ+ related issues, trauma/abuse, and self esteem. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Teen Counseling: My MEd is in Secondary School Counseling and I am a PA State Department of Education Certified Secondary School Counselor. I worked as a School Counselor for 10 years and I have had experience in working with teens since 2001. Pride Counseling (LGBT Counseling): I am both an Ally and Member of the LGBTQ+ community and strive to stay up to date on continuing education, policies, political changes, and societal views that impact the LGBTQ+ community. Faithful Counseling (Christian Counseling): My EdD is in Pastoral Community Counseling and I am well versed in working with people from many faith backgrounds as well as those who have experienced trauma in the church and are in the process of deconstructing from the Evangelical/Pentecostal movements.

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, confidence, teenage problems, couples issues, communication problems and gender identity issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.I strongly believe in individual approach and capitalizing on unique strengths and talents that every person has.

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Hi there! My name is Shira Collings (she/they). I am a feminist, neurodiversity affirming, queer and trans affirming, fat affirming, and disability justice aligned therapist. I am passionate about supporting people in living a life that is aligned with their true values, and healing from both external and internalized oppression that may be impacting their well-being. Some of my areas of specialization include eating disorders and disordered eating, body image, neurodiversity, grief and loss, and trauma. My therapeutic approach is primarily based in person-centered and feminist approaches. This means I strive to create a space in which clients can express their full, authentic selves and share their stories without shame or judgment. I also have training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Additionally, I regularly incorporate self-compassion, expressive arts, philosophy and pop culture, and self-advocacy skills into my approach. I would be honored to be part of your journey. I look forward to getting to know you and collaborating on the path toward healing and liberation!