Kristen Templin
Hi, I’m Kristen Templin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience. I became a therapist because I’m passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and empowered to create positive change in their lives. I specialize in supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma recovery, grief and loss, relationship issues, self-esteem, and major life transitions. My approach is compassionate and collaborative, using evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and strengths-based strategies. I believe therapy is a safe space for growth and healing, and I strive to meet you where you are with empathy and respect. If you’re ready to take steps toward a healthier, more balanced life, I’d be honored to walk alongside you on this journey. Let’s work together to help you feel more confident, resilient, and at peace. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you can explore, heal, and grow at your own pace.
Michael Abell
Hello and welcome. I am an Ordained Minister (Rev), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in Pennsylvania. My background is in pastoral ministry (since January 2001). My wife and I have been married since June of 2000 and we have five children ranging in ages from 13 to 19. Over all the years I have spent a lot of time in counseling with individuals, couples, and families helping them to overcome their struggles (Parenting, premarital and marital issues, ADHD, depression, anxiety, gambling and substance abuse and addiction, legal issues, religious issues, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss, and many others). I desired to be better equipped to help, so I went back to get my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy which I completed in December of 2017. I was glad to be able to bring my real world experience to the classroom and I found that I was already putting into practice a lot of what I was studying. Over the years I have worked with clients from all walks of life. I've had clients from all faiths (and no faith) backgrounds, straight and LBGTQIA, children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents, and people in Hospice and their families. I believe that you are the expert of your life. I will help you find ways to utilize your strength to overcome your struggles and move you from your current situation to where you want to be. I will be your supporter, your cheerleader, your encourager, and your teammate. I believe that real change can start in the therapy session, but you make the change happen outside of session and in the real world. You can do it, you can achieve your goals. I'm looking forward to helping you do so.
Shelle Savill
As a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania. I bring over two decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice specializes in addressing mood disorders, anxiety, relationship challenges, and personal growth. I focus on helping clients navigate issues like social anxiety, attachment dynamics, self-love, and life purpose. My therapeutic approach is deeply empathetic and tailored to each individual's unique journey. I work collaboratively with clients experiencing a wide range of challenges, including panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive patterns, addiction recovery, and trauma healing. My expertise spans women's mental health, postpartum experiences, and supporting individuals through transformative personal transitions. I believe in creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their inner world, develop resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal change. My goal is to empower you to understand yourself more deeply and build sustainable strategies for emotional well-being.
Irina Sundukova
I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, eating disorders, & anger management. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Cara Kalakewich
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania with over 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I take a nurturing and affirming approach to validate one’s experiences and perspective; and we will work together to shift that perspective where needed. I strive to take a collaborative approach in treatment identifying all aspects of one’s life e.g. family, religious background, relationships, career, and overall beliefs and values in order to challenge clients to look at all pillars in their lives to see where and if change needs to occur. 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.
Rosemary Ostrosky
As a licensed therapist with four decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life transitions and emotional challenges. My practice focuses on helping clients navigate stress, relationship dynamics, family conflicts, and personal growth. I offer compassionate, evidence-based support for adults facing diverse emotional experiences, including social anxiety, communication difficulties, workplace stress, and midlife transitions. My approach is deeply empathetic and tailored to each individual's unique journey. I understand the intricate emotional landscapes of aging, family dynamics, and personal transformation. Whether you're struggling with attachment issues, seeking healing from past trauma, or working through relationship challenges, I provide a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. I am committed to helping clients develop resilience, self-understanding, and effective coping strategies. My extensive background allows me to offer nuanced, compassionate guidance across a wide range of emotional and interpersonal challenges. Together, we can explore your strengths, address underlying concerns, and create meaningful pathways toward personal growth and emotional well-being.
Dana Piergiovanni
I am licensed in Pennsylvania with over 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & depression. I have also worked extensively with the autism community, particularly with children on the autism spectrum. 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.
Alexandra C Ernst
I’m a licensed clinical therapist in Pennsylvania with over 30 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, caregiver exhaustion, low self-esteem, and feelings of overwhelm or burnout. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally drained, stuck in unhealthy patterns, uncertain about relationships or career paths, or struggling to balance everyone else’s needs while losing sight of themselves. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, overthinking, depression, grief and loss, relationship and family stress, divorce, workplace burnout, caregiver exhaustion, self-esteem and boundary challenges, and major life or identity transitions. I also provide LGBTQ+ affirming care and offer non-religious counseling in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. My approach combines Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), strengths-based strategies, and evidence-informed interventions to help clients build clarity, emotional resilience, and forward momentum. Together, we focus on identifying what’s already working, reducing emotional overwhelm, increasing self-awareness, and creating realistic changes that feel sustainable—not forced. Therapy with me is collaborative, supportive, practical, and nonjudgmental. I do not believe therapy is about “fixing” you. Instead, I believe many people already possess important strengths, insight, and resilience, but stress, grief, anxiety, painful experiences, or unhealthy relationship dynamics can make it difficult to access those parts of themselves consistently. Whether you are coping with a painful breakup, navigating divorce, grieving a loss, questioning your next chapter, struggling with people-pleasing or boundaries, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again, therapy can provide a space to slow down, process what’s happening, and move toward the life you want with greater confidence and self-trust. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you do not have to figure everything out alone. I look forward to working with you.
Sherene Phinizy
I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.
Michael Kotch
I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career difficulties & despression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I am experienced in both Christian/Biblical counseling, along with traditional non-religious counseling. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Sorinthia Varnell
As a licensed therapist in Pennsylvania, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions, emotional challenges, and personal growth. My approach centers on empowering clients to develop deeper self-understanding, resilience, and authentic connections. I bring extensive experience working with diverse communities, particularly focusing on young adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those exploring identity, relationships, and personal healing. My therapeutic practice addresses a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, family dynamics, grief, self-esteem, and life transitions. My work is deeply rooted in creating a compassionate, affirming space where clients can explore their experiences without judgment. I'm committed to understanding each person's unique journey and supporting their path toward emotional wellness, self-acceptance, and meaningful personal transformation. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I help clients develop practical coping strategies, process complex emotions, and cultivate stronger, more intentional ways of engaging with themselves and others. My goal is to support you in building a more fulfilling, authentic life aligned with your values and aspirations.
Sharmane Jackson
You’re the one everyone depends on — the strong one, the helper, the person who keeps showing up for others even when you’re running on empty. You carry so much without ever really slowing down, and somewhere between taking care of everyone else’s needs and trying to keep it all together, you may have started losing touch with yourself. Maybe your mind never fully shuts off. Maybe you replay conversations in your head, struggle to set boundaries without guilt, feel emotionally drained in your relationships, or constantly feel pressure to be “okay” even when you’re overwhelmed inside. Even surrounded by people, you may still feel alone in what you’re carrying. If that resonates with you, therapy can be the space where you finally no longer have to hold everything by yourself. As a licensed therapist serving clients in Pennsylvania, I help individuals navigate anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, family conflict, emotional burnout, self-esteem struggles, and life transitions with compassion, honesty, and genuine support. My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive, creating a space where you can breathe, process, heal, and show up exactly as you are — without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. Together, we’ll work to better understand the patterns that are keeping you stuck, build healthier coping skills, strengthen boundaries, improve communication, and help you reconnect with the version of yourself that’s been buried underneath stress, survival mode, and everyone else’s expectations. As a therapist of color, I deeply value the role culture, identity, and lived experiences play in emotional healing. My goal is to help you feel truly seen, emotionally safe, empowered, and supported as you create meaningful and lasting change in your life. You do not have to keep carrying everything alone anymore.
Elizabeth Thomas
As a therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients explore self-love, communication challenges, and personal growth through a compassionate, culturally responsive lens. I have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing relationship dynamics, workplace stress, and life transitions. My therapeutic approach honors each person's unique journey, with particular expertise in managing anxiety, addiction recovery, and healing from trauma. I create a warm, affirming space where clients can explore challenging emotions like guilt, shame, and isolation while developing stronger coping strategies and deeper self-understanding. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I support individuals working through mood disorders, attachment challenges, body image concerns, and relationship transitions. My commitment is to walk alongside you with empathy, respect, and genuine care as you move toward personal empowerment and healing.
Dongfanghong Xiao
I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and identity-related challenges, particularly those who feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or caught in recurring relationship or emotional patterns. I also have experience supporting international and bicultural clients navigating cultural adjustment, family expectations, and feelings of disconnection or loneliness. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in evidence-based therapies including DBT, person-centered, and feminist therapy. I aim to provide a thoughtful and supportive space where clients can better understand themselves, strengthen emotional regulation and boundaries, and develop a clearer sense of direction and self-worth. Starting therapy can feel uncertain, especially if you are used to handling things on your own. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning.
Find a Therapist Near You in Polk , Pennsylvania
Finding a licensed therapist near you in Pennsylvania can be an important step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, or major life changes, working with a qualified mental health professional can offer meaningful support.
Pennsylvania is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Online therapy makes it easier to connect with a therapist near you without being limited to nearby offices. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists authorized to practice in Pennsylvania, allowing you to attend sessions online from the comfort of your home.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you ensures that your provider meets state licensing requirements and professional standards in Pennsylvania (PA). Licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help individuals manage emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and work toward personal goals.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating ongoing mental health concerns, while others want guidance during stressful periods or major life transitions. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to work with a therapist. Many individuals seek therapy to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage stress, or gain greater self-awareness.
Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across Pennsylvania, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.
What concerns can therapists help with?
Therapists on BetterHelp support adults across Pennsylvania with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and mood-related concerns
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family challenges
- Life transitions and adjustment concerns
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Job stress and burnout
- ADHD-related challenges
- Sleep concerns
- Parenting stress
- Eating disorder support
Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods tailored to individual needs.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in Pennsylvania
When searching for a therapist near me in Pennsylvania, many people compare online therapy with traditional in-person care. Online therapy offers several potential advantages:
- Greater accessibility: Attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection
- Reduced wait times: Many people are matched in as little as 24-48 hours, faster than typical in-person availability
- Flexible scheduling: Sessions that fit around work, family, or school commitments
- Expanded provider options: Access licensed therapists across Pennsylvania, not just nearby offices
Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns. Online therapy may also reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, long commutes, or limited local availability, especially in larger or more rural counties across Pennsylvania.
Finding a therapist near me that accepts insurance
Many people looking for a therapist near me in Pennsylvania want to know whether insurance is an option.
Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and therapist availability.
When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by state and provider availability, so it’s important to check your in-network status directly on the BetterHelp site.
If insurance coverage is not available, BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model remains an option, with online therapy typically costing $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Pennsylvania
BetterHelp simplifies the process of finding a therapist near you in Pennsylvania without requiring you to search through tons of profiles on your own.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete a brief questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and goals
- Get matched with a licensed therapist authorized to practice in Pennsylvania (PA)
- Begin online therapy sessions through video, phone, or live chat
BetterHelp works with one of the world’s largest networks of licensed therapists, with over 30,000 qualified providers globally. Many members are matched in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and 93% of user preferences are met during the matching process.
You can request a new therapist at no additional cost if your needs or preferences change.
Therapists near you in Pennsylvania
Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across Pennsylvania, including residents in Polk.
Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in Pennsylvania do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me
How much does therapy cost near me?
Therapy costs vary depending on provider and location. In-person therapy sessions may cost $100 to $200 or more per session. BetterHelp offers online therapy subscriptions that typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, depending on factors such as location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price. BetterHelp now accepts major insurance plans in select states and members pay an average copay of $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Is online therapy effective?
Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Online therapy allows you to connect with a licensed therapist without commuting to an office.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy. Many people work with a therapist for stress management, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or personal growth.
How quickly can I start therapy?
Many people are matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 to 48 hours after completing the initial questionnaire. Match times may vary based on preferences and therapist availability.
Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.
Is online therapy private and secure?
Online therapy through BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist in a discreet setting through video, phone, or messaging tools.