Poor cities need help too, especially in the case of mental health. A counselor in Reading can help you overcome your troubles and make your life even better. 

Reading is a beautiful location, and it’s a place known as “Pretzel City” due to the many bakeries that are here. It still has a few notable bakers here, and it also has a cycling track that was recently built. While this city may have issues in terms of standard of living, it’s constantly trying to get better, and with the help of a counselor, you can work to unlock that true potential within you. 

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Avia James

Offering therapy in PA
License: LPC,NCC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementDepression
10 years of experience

Hello, and congratulations on your first step in becoming BetterHelped. With blended experience in different therapeutic settings and modalities, including Inpatient, Outpatient and Corrections, I am confident that I have the tools, experience and knowledge to assist and support you in your endeavor to rise above life challenges. I hold a Master's of Arts in Professional Clinical Counseling and I am licensed as a Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. I am certified as a Co-Occurring Counselor by the Pennsylvania Certification Board and specialize in providing counseling to those affected by both mental health and substance use disorders. I believe that having a strong therapeutic alliance is at the core of successful outcomes. I believe that having a good connection with your counselor is key to putting theory into practice. That being said, my main goal, with any therapeutic encounter I have, is to create a working environment that feels safe, positive and non-judgmental. I employ creative methods in my effort to encourage and allow you to be YOU and to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. I strive to empower you as an individual and help you bring all your personal strengths out to the forefront. I aim to assist you to strengthen the connection with the inner voice I am confident you have deep down, as I aspire to get you to see your ability to self-heal. Thank you for considering me as your next counselor and I look forward to being a part in your self-search endeavor.

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Dr. David Yudis

Offering therapy in PA
License: PsyD,MBA,MSEd
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching
20 years of experience

I am a psychologist that has focused much of my career on work in organizational settings. I believe we cannot separate our work lives from our personal lives. They naturally intersect. My work is focused on individuals who need help realizing their potential. Whether requiring support, increased self awareness or a reframed perspective, together we find insights that increase you improving your self. My Doctoral training was grounded in psychodynamic theory (seeking to understand what makes us tick, the past as it influences our behaviors today). I am a long time practitioner of human centered (humanistic) psychology (focusing on the whole person) and practice with techniques from cognitive behavioral psychology or CBT (brief, solution focused applications/treatment). I take great pride in building relationships based on trust with my clients. If you seek to make change in your life, I strive to facilitate that.

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Kenlo McGowan

Offering therapy in PA
License: LPC, NCC, MAC
AddictionsGriefSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

Hello! I am a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania with over 20 years of experience. I have worked with adults over a wide spectrum of issues and life problems and look forward to assisting you in developing goals for your overall success. Much of my experience includes work in preventing or combatting stress, especially career or job-related issues, anxiety, relationship issues, addictions disorders and co-dependency, grief counseling, critical incident debriefing, and working to resolve issues surrounding physical disabilities or trauma. In the past three years much of my work has included helping others deal with or prevent the negative impact of covid-19. I tend to work in a solution-focused framework, helping remove immediate obstacles to allow further work on underlying or longterm issues. I also utilize Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, especially in working through addictions-based problems, to assist in dissolving irrational beliefs that may be holding a client back from fulfillment of goals and dreams. The atmosphere of sessions is one of acceptance and not of judgment for what may have brought a person to talk with me, or what has come before. It takes courage to realize there is a problem requiring assistance and also to believe that the help is available. By tackling that step you have begun your journey. I would be honored to assist you along the way.

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Beth Allen

Offering therapy in PA
License: LPC
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
18 years of experience

Hello! My name is Beth Allen and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Fully Trained EMDR Therapist (seeking EMDR Certification) in Pennsylvania with over 18 years of experience in therapy and counseling, with an additional 12 years in other social services. Settings where I have worked include community mental health centers, substance abuse treatment, private practice, crisis hotline, group private practice, physician's office, telehealth, schools, and residential facilities. My experience covers a wide area of concerns such as depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief/loss, guilt & shame, self esteem, stress, trauma, and emotional abuse. It is my honor and privilege to accompany on your journey toward hope, healing and empowerment. I believe in treating everyone with respect, compassion, sensitivity, and individuality. Counseling is my passion, and my approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), motivational interviewing, dialectic behavioral therapy, mindfulness, inner child work, person centered, psychoeducation, mind/body connection, and others, depending on your needs. We will work together to address your unique concerns and priorities. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps toward a change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and help empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Michael Brown

Offering therapy in PA
License: LPC,MACC,MA. Ed.
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

My passion is to help people heal at their deepest core levels. In my clinical practice I have worked with clients experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological symptoms using CBT, ACT, DBT, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness interventions and most recently EMDR and IFS for the treatment of traumatic events. EMDR and IFS are empirically based treatment interventions designed to access and transform prior emotional wounds. These trauma wounds are often at the root of present day suffering. Compassion, empathy, genuineness, unconditional acceptance and love of learning are a few of the personal traits that I bring to therapeutic work. My clients have experienced freedoms from Anxiety, PTSD, Panic, Depression, Self Esteem and Religious and Spiritual issues. I hold two Master’s degrees, with broad vocational and life experience. I offer you hope that with therapy your life can be transformed.

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Jessica Hopton

Offering therapy in PA
License: LCSW, MPA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am a individual and marriage therapist licensed in Pennsylvania with over 10 years of experience. I have worked with clients from ages 5-95, with a wide range of concerns. These include: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, and ADHD, adjustment issues and both physicals and emotional trauma. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I am certified in DBT. 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 look forward to working with you!

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Lora Casteline

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGrief
20 years of experience

Hello, my name is Lora Casteline. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania with 20+ years of professional work experience in the field of Mental Health and Substance Use. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in Pennsylvania. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with individuals who are coping with grief and loss. 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.

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Carol Omiros

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes
37 years of experience

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 37 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Andrea Thompson

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

I am licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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.

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Winifred (Winnie) Nagle

Offering therapy in PA
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am licensed in Pennsylvania with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & depression. 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.

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How to find counseling in Reading

Finding the best therapist close by in Reading 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 Reading. 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 Reading, 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading, elsewhere in Berks, 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 Reading area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading, 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 19602 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 Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading, 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.

Reading 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 Reading.

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

19601, 19602, 19603, 19604, 19611, 19612

Popular cities near Reading, PA

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