Therapists serving clients in Reading, PA

The most important thing I bring to the table is my hope for my clients. You may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you've made a huge step by reaching out! Let's sit down and try to work this through, because I believe there is hope. My name is Alexandra (Alex) Brink. I have my Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Therapy from Regent University and received my License in Professional Counseling (LPC) in 2014. I have an academic focus in Marriage and Family Studies and have worked the first half of my career with children with mood, behavior, and/or developmental disorders, and the most recent half I've specialized in treating adults with anxiety, among many other issues or concerns. I have a strong grasp of Behavior Therapy when working on parenting skills and with the children themselves. During my time with adult individuals, my style tends to be more person-centered and yet solution-focused. I'm not afraid to pull from many different counseling modalities in order to best serve your needs. A strong therapeutic relationship is needed in order to progress through the therapeutic process. To me, that means that you are comfortable with me and I really understand where you are coming from. Something that might set me apart, is I am rather holistic in my approach. This means, I'm examining your whole experience (body, mind and soul). I've found that balancing physical and mental health, as well as any spiritual concerns can really make a difference in your success. A little about me: For now I work part-time and primarily stay at home with my three children. I've been married 11 years and currently live in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I have been getting into painting lately and it's been so fun to have something just for me. I have struggled regularly with chronic illness for 15 years now. I'm no stranger to how grief, illness, and major life changes can effect a person. Strong supports in my life have helped me get through and I hope that I can be the extra support that you need now. I look forward to meeting you.

Hello, my name is Connie. I am a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania with about 6 years of counseling experience. I have worked with clients with a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, family conflicts, and trauma within outpatient and family-based home settings. My therapy style includes the use of empathy, strength-based focus, and mindfulness. My therapeutic approach includes strength-based and systems therapy. This means exploration and reflection in how people have experienced their family system and how multiple systems in their life continue to affect them; such as school, jobs, community, etc. I find importance in open communication, promoting understanding, and building trust. I want to help others uncover the strengths that they already have to help them with their struggles. To do this, I will find which therapy style best fits the individual. I want to be an additional support for clients who have taken this first step to seek therapy. I look forward to working with you.

Welcome to my profile page! I have been working as a therapist for 36 years in the state of Pennsylvania. I have extensive experience with a variety of populations and their challenges. I am a client centered therapist which means that I will work with you collaboratively to conquer the obstacles that are preventing you from leading your best life. If you think we might be a good fit to work together, you can expect that I will listen, provide observations without judgment, and ask questions to help you focus on what is most important to you. In life there is "the problem" and there is "how you think about the problem"; the latter makes all the difference! Collaboratively we will explore your world view, identify, and most importantly, reconstruct views that are flawed or simply not true. To borrow a couple of quotes from Winnie the Pooh, "You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" and "Stop worrying. Stop letting others hold you back. Work hard, take chances and keep the faith. You will never know if you never try." Know that you are entering a safe space regardless of your identity, your past, the body you are in, what you believe, who you love, or obstacles you have faced or are facing now. You and I will work as a team to develop a plan to meet your individual needs and goals so you can get back to being you.

It takes courage and bravery to admit that something does not feel right. Stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationships can negatively impact your life. You have taken the first step to feeling better by looking at this profile. I hope to create a calm and safe place with you to explore your thoughts and feelings and experiences. We can work together to help you find a better and healthier mental and emotional place. While I like to incorporate aspects of various therapeutic interventions, I believe the foundation of therapy lies in the therapeutic relationship. I want to build a relationship with you built on trust, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I look forward to meeting with you!

I am a license professional counselor with over 10 years of experiences. I believe life is an adventure and everyone has the ability to decide their own routes and to make changes. I believe people has the ability to heal themselves. Through therapy, I assist my clients to learn about themselves and find their unique ways to heal from their life challenges. My Therapeutic approach is client-centered, collaborative, holistic, and integrative (drawing effective interventions from different therapy theories such as CBT, Gestalt therapy, Narrative therapy, expressive art therapy based on client’s need). Graduating with an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology and a CACREP accredited graduate program in counseling (Indiana University Bloomington), I thus have a strong background in counseling theories/ techniques, assessment, and diagnosis. My specialties include, but not limited to grief/lost, trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, couple and family issues, interpersonal problems, communication, stresses, self-esteem, and anger management. As an avid backpacker and a psychotherapist who has experienced working with diverse clientele, I am open-minded, flexible, and am competent when interacting with diverse communities. I am also effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese.

I have a M.A. in Clinical Psychology. I am dually licensed as a Professional Counselor and a Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania, and licensed as a Masters Limited License Psychologist in Michigan. I have a decade long career working in the field of mental health, and in that time have worked in outpatient, community, and inpatient settings. I specialize in working with adults seeking treatment for substance use problems, mental health disorders, or coping with chronic pain, as well as children and adolescents with mental and behavioral health needs, and parents needing help with raising children with intellectual or developmental disabilities or behavioral health problems. I enjoy helping others and providing clients with the opportunity to explore different coping strategies to find out what works best for them. I rely on empirically supported treatments and a welcoming, empathetic style, while making every effort to meet my clients where they are and guide them along the path of recovery to where they want to be. I am experienced in providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). All three treatments fall within the cognitive-behavioral branch of treatment, and are skills-based interventions. CBT explores the relationship between thoughts (cognitions), emotions, and behaviors, and how they affect each other. DBT incorporates mindfulness, of being aware of your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and beliefs in order to effectively use coping skills when needed. ABA is a behavior intervention therapy in which antecedents, behaviors, consequences, and reinforcers are monitored in order to determine the function of the behaviors displayed in individuals who may not be able to communicate well for themselves, and then uses behavior therapy in order to orchestrate positive life changes. Although ABA is not preferred through the medium of telehealth, I am able to incorporate some aspects of it, preferably for clients who have experience with ABA, and require a refresher on skills already learned.

Hello! I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed in Pennsylvania with 13+ years of experience in the field. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, stress and anxiety, parenting, motivation and self esteem, career difficulties, and adjusting to life changes. I have extensive experience working with adults 65+ as well as individuals of all ages with substance abuse disorders and addictions. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral, internal family systems and solution focused. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I offer video, phone, and live chat options for sessions and look forward to working with you! *Please note that due to other professional engagements, my current availability is Monday through Friday only and my hours may vary but typically fall between 9 am - 2 pm EST*

My name is Alicia Emmanuel and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been working in the field since 2008, while also pursuing other certifications. My mental health background ranges from working with children, adolescence, mental health, adults, couples, grief and loss. I have been working with adults more for the past 6 years. My therapeutic approach is person centered. I am a proponent CBT/DBT; however, I use multiple therapy approaches. I believe my clients lead me to the best therapeutic style or combination of styles for them. I am passionate in helping individuals, regarding the struggles with trauma, grief, anxiety and depression. My goal is to go through the journey of healing together, assisting with the support, listening ear and appropriate follow ups.

I am a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania with over 9 years of experience. I believe my role on this journey is to help you understand yourself better, provide support when times are hard, and help you figure out ways to make change by focusing on areas within your locus of control. Over the years I have worked with many children, adults, and families from all walks of life; helping individuals and families along their journey of self-discovery and healing. I believe that individuals and families know themselves best and my role is to help increase self-confidence and self-awareness so they can figure out what is best for each of them and their family systems. I’m looking forward to hearing from you and working with you further Additional Trainings: Parent Child Interactional Therapy Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy

Rachel Ehrhardt, LPC, MSCP I am a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) from Chatham University in Pittsburgh PA. I have 24 years (since 1999) with experience with a vast range of populations in various clinical settings (see below for list). Often times by the time someone makes an appointment - they have been suffering for a quite a long time. Desperate for relief and to get back on track. Many people have told me over the course of my career “Making the 1st appointment was the hardest part”. There is actually a Phenomenon where people start to feel better knowing they have an appointment in the books. Just knowing that help is on the way. In that sense, their is a sigh of relief regarding having finally made a decision to do it, as waiting for things to change on their own simply hasn’t proven to be the case. I consider myself as an "Educator", as well as a therapist. As I teach a lot of skills - the biggest thing I put the most emphasis on is Thoughts. It's all about the thoughts. Most of us have throughts that are in some way inaccurate, flawed, based on assumption. Our brains naturally fill-in-the-blanks when we don't understand something. So I teach people to examine their thoughts - see what parts may be inaccurate (this, they are unhealthy) and essentially go back to the drawing-board with establing more accurate thinking patters. I use the modality of: “Solution Focused Therapy”. This is a good approach for people who want to get to the root of the problem rather quickly. Then seek the solution and implement it. That’s not to say we should rush the process. And therapy and healing is just that - a process. An experience. It can be gentle, sensitive, educational, and goal driven all simultaneously. I do put it out there that I am direct & goal oriented. However, I am big on "asking for permission" before speaking frankly.Some people want that - but am not one to make assumptions (again, it's all about thoughts & making sure they are accurate). I am big on you getting what you want & need and relief as quickly as possible. If we are honest time & money seem to be 2 luxuries no one has anymore. With that said, working with me is very different than laying down on the Proverbial “Freudian Couch” for years on end. I do a lot of my work in Marriage & Couples Counseling. Many couples have come to a crossroads of trying to decide to either to work it out and stay together …or go their separate ways. Some aren’t sure - but know something’s gotta give, and soon. Being stagnate is no longer a viable option. And receiving professional counsel prior to that enormous decision - is smart, respectful of the relationship and their partner. There are new things to try, some grey-areas that are worth exploring. I am a huge proponent of leaving no stone unturned. Especially when children are involved. With couples, almost 100% of the time the issue is around communication. It comes down to one’s needs not being met. And though the other partner may want to, or is trying to meet their needs - they just don’t know "how". Or they have not yet come to understand the "why" a particular need is important. So we have to shift our mindset about our partner - they aren’t being lazy or malicious - they just don’t know, understand. In other words, they are not intentionally trying to deny us our need. They don’t get jt - yet - but they will. I see to it! One of the beauties & mysteries of why therapy works: often it’s a “I told you this a million times!!!”….type thing which is incredibly frustrating. But somehow miraculously when I say it to them - it's as if they are hearing it for the very first time. It’s brand new information….to them. That’s one of the beauties & mysteries of why therapy works. Hearing it from a non-biased mediator (who is not their partner) makes it resonate in a new way, it sinks in, or finally sticks. A manner in which that coveys the importance and clarity that’s different and effective. And it's like a light-bulb turing on. The “aha moment” as they call it. So, now that the other person is finally listening & hearing & comprehending. We can identify what the “needs” are, why they are so important and can immediately start meeting them. With straight couples - I teach a lot about the gender differences. It is astounding not only how different men & women really are - we are wired very differently than each other. Example: men are naturally inclined to "fix things". When a man can't "fix it" generally he experiences frustration which gets displayed in ways that look like anger. So I teach men how to better understand their partner, what she needs, why she needs it, and how to go about meeting her need. I strive to eliminate "the middle man" - which are things like confusion, anxiety, and feeling rejected. I teach women about how men are wired in general, what men generally need to feel a sense of accomplisment, what he needs from her, how to really help him understand why she is at her breaking point. How all of these factors in to the their dynamic. I help them figure out how to meet his need, why he needs it, etc... The key to all of this - understanding. Understanding leads to insight. Insight leads to empathy. Empathy leads to behavior change. Couples tend to see progress right away when they follow my guidance by changing little subtle things. What we perceive as those “little things”….have more weight and importance than we had realized. "Live Chat" is a wonderful option for many people. It offers a certain degree of discrection and privacy that can be done anywhere. Sometimes people do not want their partner, children or coworkers to overhear. It can be done at your desk at work, which people enjoy because they “look like” they are working. Lunch breaks seem to be a thing of the past, and we have no time, as I said before - something’s gotta give! Chat is good for if you have to be in a loud place, or have a sleeping baby! Many people whom travel use it when they are at an airport, bus, noisy place etc.. For people whom are highly anxious, it's more relaxing and feels like less pressure. For all of us that have to muilt-task (we have no choice!). And thanks to the surge in people working from home post-pandemic - we have more flexibility during the day. Options like this exist now, and people love the "Live Chat". We can see eachother typing, in real time. It's great! I have worked with many populations in a vast range of setting. Inpatient. Outpatient. Psychiatic Wards. Nursing homes. In schools. With children. 1/2 way house. 3/4 house. Alternative Housing. Deaf & Blind people. For 10 years I took people in wheelchairs & intellectual disabilities on field trips. Much of my career has been in prison settings with, frankyl, a rough crowd. People anxious to straighten up immediately and get back to their real life. They have lost so much - are at their lowest point in their lives - desperate to feel better, live better. Some of methodologies and direct nature are no doubt born of that experience - get people better ASAP. Also, I am a mom of 3, so I’m am also warm & fuzzy & as I like to say I am “fluffy” and very silly. My children are 13, 8, and 6. Boy -Girl -Boy (by the way, I carried all 3 babies/pregnancies through the prison. That tells you a bit about my personality, I was unphased by this. Believe it or not - I felt safer there than walkng down the street. Suprisingly - inmates were incredibaly protective of me , more so than one would imagine). I am married to my husband for 15 years. My favorite color is yellow, a big fan of Star Wars, favorite activity is going to thrift-shops, simply being in the sun, my favorite food is Tiramisu. Favorite shows to binge watch are The Office, Breaking Bad and “How it’s Made”. Hobbies are keeping up with research on Brain Science, playing Chess, and really anything that involves analytical thinking - my mind is never at rest. My childhood idol was Mother Teresa- and is still my idol to this day, trying to emulate her daily and instill that unconditional-kindness in my children. This Christmas me and my children made pillows to distribute to the Homeless. Our family motto is: “Be grateful, not greedy”. I am a working mom - and I know better than anyone how hard it is to multi-task in this day and age. To do it all, be all to all people, to make sacrifices day in and day out. I also know how critical Self-Care is. You and your well-being needs to be your priority right now, and exploring therapy does count as self-care. As they say "You will never find time, you have to MAKE time". So make the time, make the investment in yourself, and hop on my schedule! Rachel Ehrhardt, LPC, MSCP