MS, LPC, CIMHP, CCTP-II, CTMH, EMDR in Training
Are you feeling stuck? Going through a new life change that is making you feel unsure about how to proceed? Then you have come to the right place. When people experience stress, it is not uncommon for their lives to begin to unravel. My great passion in life is to help bring calm, peace, and internal resolution to those who have experienced both big and small changes. Change isn’t easy, and I understand that the first outreach can be challenging, but if you are here, then it is right for you. I want to welcome you to the first step in your journey for change.
I help adolescents, families, individuals, and adults find healthy perceptions of themselves, strengthen their relationships, improve their communication and interactions with others, and find guidance so that they can feel complete, safe, hopeful, and at peace.
I understand that no single approach is right for every individual, so I provide an eclectic compilation of what works best for each person. With 16 years of experience in the mental health field, I have worked with children, adolescents, and their families, couples, and individuals of many ages and backgrounds on their growth and change. I’ve worked with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, anger management, self-improvement, co-parenting after separation/divorce, working through major life stressors, trauma, and building self-esteem by helping them find a new path.
An alumni of the University of Pittsburgh, I obtained my Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in direct care and managed a mental health program for individuals with severe mental health needs. My love and interest for working with people who have experienced all types of trauma (both "big T" and "little t") began in a trauma-informed program in community mental health and has expanded to a trauma-informed approach with my clients in other settings. Becoming a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-I&II) was a given for me when I witnessed how this type of care could help support anyone, not just survivors of severe trauma. Along the lines of trauma-informed care, I am also in the EMDR therapy training process and am accepting clients for EMDR therapy throughout the training process.
As a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and a minor in Biology, I have always found interest in how our body systems work together. When working with clients, I provide support in understanding how all the parts of our life effect our mental health, such as nutrition, exercise, and integrative medicine. In alignment with my overall approach to health and healing, I am also a Reiki Master (Level III) and am hopeful to add this to my list of services, soon.
Since I find it important to stay up-to-date with the practices that I am using and see clients virtually, I obtained my Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider (CTMH), so that I can provide my clients with appropriate and ethical practices in the teletherapy world.
If you would like to include me in your process for growth and change, I would be happy to join you. I look forward to working alongside you soon!
If you are interested in working with Alissa, call today at 412.367.0575 or click here to request an appointment.