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Heather Brown

Offering therapy in PA
License: LPC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
15 years of experience

My name is Heather Brown. I am a Licensed Professional Counseling living in Pennsylvania. I am a mother of three and work in a federal penitentiary. I provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to inmates participating in a modified therapeutic community within the prison. My experience in the counseling field began with adolescents. I provided individual, group and family counseling for adolescents participating in an after school program. The program was based on a Cognitive Behavioral approach and involved the clients working through thoughts and feels that were leading them to make poor decisions in their lives. We would work through struggles such as self-esteem issues, substance use, criminal behaviors, family issues, trauma and any other problem area the client would identify during sessions. I had decided that counseling was a great fit for me during this time and wanted to make this my professional career choice. I decided to further my education and obtain my Master's Degree through Capella University. I loved having the flexibility that came with going to school online. It allowed me to work full time and raise my son while furthering my education. I completed my internship at Crossroads Counseling providing individual and group counseling for clients struggling with addiction issues. While completing my internship I began working in the prison setting. I was able to obtain a Drug Treatment Specialist position for an addictions based modified therapeutic community within the prison. I then moved into a psychology program that was more focused on criminal behaviors at the penitentiary level. Within this position I have worked with a variety of diagnoses from substance use to Antisocial Personality Disorder to Depression to Borderline Personality Disorder to Schizophrenia, and various others. I have conducted family counseling with adolescents. I worked with families on examining their relationships, what was effective and ineffective within these relationships and how to work together to resolve any issues that came up. Relationships are difficult and no two people are the same. It's important for couples to consider one another's perceptions and thought patterns. With understanding comes acceptance and compromise. I like to examine the love language of each individual and facilitate discussions on how to ensure these are met for each individual. The theoretical approach I subscribe to is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I feel it’s important for clients to understand that in any situation they have choices. It’s important to consider each choice and what desirable and undesirable consequences may result from making each choice. Clients and I work to challenge negative thinking patterns and think in ways that lead to positive feelings and positive actions. There are many ways this approach can be utilized within the therapeutic setting and empowers the clients to examine choices and make the best one for their personal situations. I also utilize the Solution Focused Therapeutic Approach. This allows for clients to scale feelings and examine life situations that contribute to certain places on the scale. It provides a tangible way to track progress and recognize situations that contribute to negative feelings and/or behaviors. I also utilize Reality Therapy in counseling which also focuses on the fact that client's have choices and the importance of examining consequences related to each choice before making decisions. William Glaser identified five basic needs of human beings, power or a sense of self-worth, love and belonging, freedom/independence, fun, and survival. Clients and I would examine which needs are met and which need strengthening within their lives. I am have a great deal of experience in the counseling field. I have been counseling for 13 years with various populations. I am compassionate, genuine, open-minded, objective and understanding. I want what is best for my clients and desire to be a tool in their journey to emotional well-being.

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Erin Riley

Offering therapy in PA
License: MS,LMHC,LPC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsDepression
3 years of experience

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of New York and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. I have over three years of post-graduate experience working in the mental health field. I have worked with clients with various concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, sexuality concerns, drug/alcohol addiction, and with crisis issues. I also helped many people who have Intellectual Disabilities and their families. Lastly I have worked with clients who are on the Autism Spectrum. My counseling style is warm, interactive, light, and motivated. I believe in treating every person with respect, compassion, and I always meet a person where they are at in order to work together towards goals. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness, and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to reach out and ask for help, even when you know that you can help yourself most days. Together, we can find the empowerment that can be difficult to reach sometimes! I look forward to working with you!

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Rosa Stokes

Offering therapy in PA
License: MSA, MSW, LCSW
Family conflictsGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficulties
3 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Pennsylvania with 5 years of experience as a therapist and educator. I have worked with teens and adult clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, adoption issues, and teen problems. I also helped many people who have experienced sexual abuse and trauma. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in the biblical principles of treating others as I wish to be treated with respect, sensitivity, compassion, and dignity. My approach is solution focused, strength based, and client centered. I believe the client is the driver of the therapeutic relationship; thus, I will tailor our dialog and treatment to meet your unique and specific needs. I applaud you for taking the first steps toward a fuller, healthier and happier life; and I am here to support, encourage and empower you. I look forward to working alongside you.

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Kyle Balasco

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your own story and that you have many strengths to unlock that can assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and meaningful life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Kidian Martinez

Offering therapy in PA
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyEating disordersSelf esteem
8 years of experience

I specialize in working with adults who are struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, negative body image, and all forms of eating disorders. Clients who come to see me may have been recently diagnosed with an eating disorder or have been struggling for years. Some are unsure if the have an eating disorder, yet struggle with food and their body. It is important to me to facilitate self-empowerment through coping/behavioral skills and strengthening cognitive insight, while honoring that change is hard. Through our therapeutic relationship, I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where we can move together towards healing. I practice from a Health at Every Size framework. I utilize evidence based practice such as, family based treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy, to support adolescents, and adults. Making the decision to see a therapist can be intimidating, but I hope you will take a moment (and maybe a deep breath) to connect and see how I can help.

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Brian Davis

Offering therapy in PA
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefBipolar disorderDepression
12 years of experience

Hello and thank you for taking this first step . I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience as a therapist and nearly 20 years of experience as a social worker. I have spent time working with a variety of populations throughout my career. I have provided mental health treatment to a vast array of clients from all different walks of life. I love this aspect of being a therapist because it has allowed me to gain perspective and understanding of so many different cultures and lifestyles. I am calm and empathetic, I believe in therapy and the power it has to help a client actualize their best self possible. Therapy is a journey that will help you explore the feelings you are having and maybe even figure out where they came from. Our feelings can be so hard to understand that we often just "deal with it". While that may provide some temporary relief, it does not give you any sense of direction. It's important to understand that your feelings are important, meaningful, and valid. They are your feelings and you are entitled to them without judgement from others. You can even feel them without feeling bad about feeling bad! Believe it or not, its ok to not be ok. I think it is helpful to think of therapy in terms of the old cliché about leading a horse to water but being unable to make the horse drink. This therapeutic relationship is ours to build. I can get you to the water, but when you get there, if you don't want to drink, you won't drink. Let's work together to see if “taking a drink” of some new ideas and perspectives could help you feel more equipped to function in a place of strength and confidence. It seems overwhelming, but you’re not alone with your thoughts anymore. We can do this!

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This is Sheera Maitland's avatar and link to their profile

Sheera Maitland

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseDepression
12 years of experience

I am licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and have 12 years of professional counseling experience. I have helped clients obtain relief from issues of stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, as well as depression. I know that reaching out for help isn't always easy. The unknowns can be scary and I'm here to walk you through each step of the way. I believe that we all have many strengths and that anyone can use those assets to overcome the things that challenge us in life. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy is courageous and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Martine Lennon

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
5 years of experience

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 5 years of professional work experience as a therapist. My style is treating the whole person holistically and what you see as your problems, not just the diagnosis. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes and individuals that just need to be heard and validated. I have a warm personality and strive to make my clients feel cared for. I let the clients determine the pace and speed of their journey and am here to support them on the way. I check messages from clients at least 1x per day, usually in the morning and I may not check messages on weekends.

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Katie Bendick

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteem
4 years of experience

Hello! My name is Katie, a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania. My biggest passion is working with people who struggle with addictions and co-occurring disorders. I enjoy helping those individuals find ways to have better boundaries, coping skills, communication skills, and ways to live a healthier lifestyle. I have worked with people struggling with addictions in some capacity for 7 years and have been a counselor in that field for 4 years. Due to the nature of the drug and alcohol field, I also have experience working with individuals that struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD and bipolar disorder. I want to dig deep with you and find the root of your thoughts and emotions and help you to change the behaviors that follow. I use a client-centered approach and work in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and reality therapy. I recognize that everyone's path to healing is different and stay open-minded to allow you the space to heal in whatever way you find best. I like to provide open and honest feedback to create an open dialogue for us to best address your struggles. 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.

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This is Melissa Krechmer's avatar and link to their profile

Melissa Krechmer

Offering therapy in PA
LGBTRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue
11 years of experience

Therapy is important for everyone, even when we think we have it all together. Therapy is essential when we find ourselves losing our joy, hitting our breaking points, and struggling with the day to day. I look forward to meeting and connecting with you! I believe therapy offers clients an opportunity to have a consistent space to prioritize your mental health. My experience as a fat, Jewish, white queer woman informs how I interact with the world. My training and experience in social work provides a widened lens to view mental health distress as part of systems of oppression, shame, and rage. I created my practice, mk therapy, in order to provide a space that believes in affirming and celebrating queer and trans identities. I specialize in working with fat identified folks who are in recovery and healing from fatphobic familial and cultural structures. I have additional interests in working with people coming into queer and trans identities later in life, intergenerational and ancestral trauma, as well as religious and spiritual trauma. Our unique internal worlds also impact our mental health and the intuitive ways in which we navigate trauma and life challenges. It is my belief in embracing the complexity of our individual and collective identities that informs my style of therapy.

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How to find counseling in Portage

Finding the best therapist close by in Portage can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing.

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in Portage. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in Portage, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in Portage or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater Portage area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of Portage, elsewhere in Cambria, or in the greater state of Pennsylvania.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Portage area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Portage therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Portage due to a higher cost of living. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in Portage may not take health insurance, some in the state of Pennsylvania may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With BetterHelp or clinicians throughout the state of Pennsylvania you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Portage, Pennsylvania working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Portage above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in Portage helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified Portage therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a Portage therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

A psychologist in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A Portage therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in PA, providers may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 15946 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Portage counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist if I feel fine? 

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback and advice. A Portage licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find through therapy can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health professional has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in Portage, Pennsylvania can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

Portage has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of Portage.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in Portage:

15946

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