Therapists serving clients in Ligonier, PA

Hi, My name is Cathy and I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania with over 30 years experience in the mental health field. I've worked with individuals, couples, children, and families of diverse backgrounds in many different settings, with many different issues. Specialties include work with depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and family issues. I've also worked with addictions, sex offenders, kids of all ages, employee assistance, and just about anything else you can imagine, or so it seems. After all these years I 'm tempted to say I've "heard it all"... until something new proves me wrong! What I can say is I will try to offer a realistic perspective to almost any problem, whether it's a parenting, relationship, or family issue, or if you need help overcoming your fear, anxiety, anger, hurt, or just plain crazy-off-the-wall-stressful lifestyle. I draw upon many schools of thought, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, reality therapy, structural family therapy, and various trauma-informed approaches. For those who request Christian Counseling, I have a seminary education and can provide Biblical insights into all of the above, but also acknowledge that the church is made up of imperfect people and sometimes brings wounds of its own. So whatever your background, I believe it's important to be real, to meet you where you are, and work together to find the best solutions. If you need someone to discuss the complex bio-psycho-social dynamics and treatment protocols for particular diagnosis, I can do that. If you need someone to break down the psychobabble into plain language, I can do that. If you need it explained by chapter and verse, or want nothing to do with religion, that's fine too. Most of all, I believe that everyone deserves to be heard with compassion and respect before I can earn the right offer advice, challenge your thinking, or confront you with an uncomfortable truth. One of things I love about Betterhelp is that I have the opportunity to work with people from all over the world, and am reminded daily that the things we have in common are far greater than anything that may separate us. So no matter what your background, I am honored to have the privilege of getting to know you, and will do everything I can to help. Hope to meet you soon! Cathy ------------------------------------------ For more details on my professional experience and education, please see my Linked In page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemisciagna, or my private practice website at www.CounselorCathy.com

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania with over 20 years experience providing counseling across a variety of professional settings with a diverse clientele. A well-practiced and experienced professional, I am comfortable assisting with a broad spectrum of clinical issues. Areas I am exceptionally well-versed in include: development and adjustment issues over the lifespan, career challenges and unexpected life changes, developing a stable and positive sense of identity and self-esteem, and finding a deeper meaning and sense of purpose in one’s life struggles. Key issues include anxiety, depression, parenting issues, ADHD, ODD, developmental issues and/or special needs, supporting adults with autism, PTSD, sexual abuse or trauma issues, and helping adults recover from a traumatic or life-altering event such as a brain injury. As the parent of child with autism, there is a special place in my heart for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, their caregivers and their loved ones. I am adept in helping individuals develop skills in a variety of areas including setting and achieving life-changing goals, bettering themselves in key life areas such as relationship skills, parenting skills and support, time management and organizational skills, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, executive functioning, and developing a daily routine that reflects their individual goals for their life. My counseling style is warm, empowering, and collaborative. My approach combines humanistic and cognitive therapies and employs motivational interviewing and reality therapy to help you develop a clear vision of the life you want for yourself, determine the steps necessary to achieve that life, and provides coaching as you work towards achieving your goals. I look forward to joining alongside you on your life journey.

Everyone deserves a journey of self-healing and self-discovery. In fact, allowing yourself to blossom is the avenue to experiencing self-love and meaningful connections with others. I have worked in the field of mental health for over 12 years, but have been researching and seeking methods of healing since my early teens. I attended the University of California, San Diego, followed by Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified EFT Practitioner. I have resided in California, Colorado, New Jersey, and now reside in Austin, Texas. I have experience assisting families, adolescents, and adults dealing with a range of issues including anxiety and mood disorders, trauma, addictions, end of life issues, and issues related to discrimination and marginalization. I am an experienced therapist, supervisor, and group facilitator in various settings. I also served as adjunct faculty at Naropa University, teaching courses on Transforming Addictions and Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling. I was always fascinated by the intersection of mind, body, spirit, and emotion, and have undoubtedly learned the power of transforming harmful mental and emotional patterns. As such, I found myself specializing in mindfulness based techniques and with foundations in unique spiritual perspectives. I am certified in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a powerful, but simple method that provides immediate relief of distress. When offered in guided sessions, EFT also works to unravel and shift unhealthy patterns that the conscious mind and talk therapy alone cannot access. Your strengths lie in your weaknesses, and your power lies within your suffering. I will gently guide you through a journey where you can piece by piece, find balance and empowerment in your life. I am passionate about being an innovator in the field of psychology and supporting work that brings forth real change. Transformation is possible, and we often face systems and ways of approaching mental health that make us feel stuck. I am devoted to sharing knowledge and information with others on how they can create breakthroughs in their own lives, no matter where they came from and who they are. My youtube channel "Keep the Clarity" is a space where I share lessons and experience in moving towards real change with others, including work with other counselors pertaining how to better our work with our clients.

(Please note: for the present, I am not providing therapy services via the video option on BetterHelp. Due to both ongoing technical problems that interfere with and mitigate the effectiveness of sessions and some mixed feelings about the value of this type of session, I am temporarily restricting the modality options to phone, chat and messaging communications. My apologies to anyone inconvenienced or discouraged from working with me due to this condition; I may resume video sessions in the future.) I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania and a registered, board-certified art therapist (AT-R, B.C.) Since receiving an M.A. from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2004, I have practiced in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatry, community residential services and private practice, including my own, which I established in 2010. Over the course of my career, I have worked in residential and inpatient settings, as well as in private practice, with clients dealing with a wide range of often overlapping challenges , including severe mood disorders, substance abuse issues, personality disorders and debilitating thought disorders such as schizophrenia . In private practice, I have been able to focus on work with clients – including adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum – struggling with problems in living ranging from depression, anxiety and addictive behaviors, as well as family, relationship and career conflicts. Therapy is hard work, for both client and practitioner, and one of my primary sources of inspiration and re-fueling is my immense gratitude and respect for my clients – for their willingness to confront what is difficult, embrace change and do the work necessary to foster growth and self-determination for themselves and therefore also for the benefit of those they work, live, connect with – and love. I believe, based on my experience, that most clients seeking therapy already know a good deal about both the nature of their problems and conflicts and the possible routes to change. But change is difficult, and can be scary and when something is difficult and scary, there is nothing wrong – and a great deal right -about seeking help and a collaborative relationship, rather than trying to achieve some of the most difficult tasks in isolation. . I often visualize the therapist as, ideally, a trustworthy guide walking alongside the client, carrying a lantern and helping to cast light into and illuminating the shadows, with the goal of locating the best and clearest path forward towards a more effective and self-determined life. In attempting this guidance and collaboration, I always try to maintain an attitude of warmth, respect, and compassion. Honesty and trust on the part of both partners is essential, of course. Humor and lightheartedness can, at times, be a significant healing factor as well! My approach is basically a humanistic one, which addresses problems and conflicts through careful and reflective listening and communication, with an underlying focus on the kinds of common concerns -the need and desire for connection, understanding, insight, growth and personally driven change - that most often propel a client towards therapy. As the client, you set our goals, and as part of the therapeutic process, we may make use of techniques and methods derived from established clinical practices, including Cognitive-Behavioral, narrative and expressive therapy techniques. This can be helpful in allowing the therapist to better know the whole person he is working with, rather than just as a collection of “problems” needing to be solved. Creativity, especially in the forms of writing or art, can be tremendously helpful in this regard. I have extensive experience in working with art as a aid to therapy (which can be done, with some limitations, even in a remote context, and requires no "skill" or talent whatsoever) and the exploration of this dynamic route to insight and growth is always available and might be encouraged at times. However, whether these or other techniques or approaches are used is always the result of discussion and agreement between therapist and client. If what I have outlined sounds appealing or promising to you as you explore therapeutic possibilities, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you – please do not hesitate to contact me, and thank you for your time.

Hello, thanks for reaching out. My name is Kate. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have worked with clients in therapy for 16 years. The clients I have seen have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and Bipolar Disorder. I provide a warm, caring environment where people can look at past hurts/trauma, current life situations and changes/losses, relationship issues, self-esteem issues and their own questioning/wondering about life’s meaning and their own goals. I tend to use a client centered strengths based approach, helping the client obtain the healing in the areas of their life where they feel stuck. During this process, I use grief work, helping clients with coping skills, communication skills, setting needed boundaries, self-esteem work, and lowering stressors. My goal with you is to help you heal and meet your own goals and find your own sense of meaning. I look forward to working with you.

Welcome! I'd like to tell you about myself and my practice so you have a good idea of what to expect throughout our work together. My practice is built upon the foundations of psychodynamic, object-relations, cognitive/behavioral, and systems theories. I believe that our relationships and experiences shape the lens through which we view the world. In turn, the resulting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors shape our interactions - both personally and professionally. I believe that every client is unique and presents with the ability to reach full potential. As such, I strive to identify and eliminate barriers to growth. This is made possible by a therapeutic relationship characterized by mutual trust, authenticity, and acceptance. Every client brings a unique skillset into therapy; my aim is to capitalize on existing strengths, introduce new techniques/approaches, cultivate intuition, and bolster confidence. My practice is characterized by a relational approach, which is empathic and attentive. I promote learning through discovery by encouraging clients to reframe and self-reflect. I also partner with clients to engage in cooperative learning, interactive processing, and mutual problem-solving. I look forward to working together!

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania. I have been in the Social Work field for over 14 years and I have been doing individual, family, couples, and group therapy for several years as well. I have extensive experience working with people who are dealing with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, marital/relationship issues, hoarding behavior, and those who are having difficulty achieving the goals they have set for themselves. I consider it a blessing that I have the opportunity to work with so many diverse people and help them to achieve whatever it is they believe will enrich their lives. My approach is person-centered, as I do not believe that I am an "expert" on any other person but myself. However, I do believe I possess some of the tools needed to help others to discover how to make the journey from illness to wellness. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as my primary approach. I am also a certified Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) group facilitator. I find that both of these approaches compliment each other well and they both allow the individual to determine the best course of action for themselves. I liken my technique to this metaphor: We are on a journey together. You are in the driver's seat, I am holding the road map. I can make suggestions on where to go or what to avoid to get to the destination you have chosen, but ultimately it is your decision where you end up. I believe that giving each individual person the opportunity to make healthy choices and take personal responsibility for his or her own health is paramount in someone's ultimate success. Yes, we all stumble and make poor choices sometimes; however, I believe that I can help to guide others in a gentle but firm way that will encourage and build upwards toward success. Working in a clinical setting, I often see how the "system" fails people. I am excited about an opportunity to do what I love to do in a different setting and overcome some of those clinical challenges. It takes a lot of courage to make the first step toward recovery and wellness. I am honored to be a helping hand in that process!

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!

Hello, and welcome! My name is Dr. Sheri Balsam. I am a licensed psychologist, and earned my Psy.D. with a concentration in Multicultural Psychology from Rutgers University. I have completed extensive clinical training working with teenagers and adults in a variety of settings, and have specialized postdoctoral training in CBT. I am passionate about providing effective, empirically-based care, integrating CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic techniques into my work. Drawing from these modalities, I formulate appropriate, individualized interventions that target symptom relief and reduce emotional distress. In my practice, I aim to help you discover, utilize, and maximize personal strengths in order to cultivate meaningful, long lasting change. I am experienced in treating a range of anxiety and depressive disorders, those struggling with life transitions, relationship/marital issues, and eating disorders. Through the myriad of interventions at my disposal and the profound power of a therapeutic relationship, clients learn to understand the factors preventing them from experiencing life satisfactions they deserve and/or the kind of close, intimate relationships they desire. I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental atmosphere where my clients can acquire effective coping skills, communication techniques, and the tools necessary to facilitate the change desired in their life or relationship. My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and empathetic. I seek to make each client feel comfortable, heard, and understood. I am committed to helping you understand yourself on a deeper level and employ new tools to overcome beliefs and patterns that are no longer serving you, so that you can live a life in accordance with your personal goals and values. I view any individual’s entrance into therapy as an expression of courage and hope. It is a privilege to be invited into your narrative to navigate this journey of personal healing and transformational growth. Thank you for visiting this site and for taking the time to read about me! I understand that choosing the right therapist for you is an important decision. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email, as I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to speaking with you!

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!