Rhonda Clark, Licensed Professional Counselor
Blair County Location
I earned my MS in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University. My focus is working with children and their parents. Additionally, I have received training in working with the following issues: depression, anxiety, stress and anger management, domestic violence, sexual abuse, relationship issues, attachment issues, adoption issues, post traumatic stress, grief/bereavement, behavioral modification, addictive disorders, autism, aspergers and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). There is not one clinical approach that works with every client. As a result of my experience in cognitive behavioral, rational emotive, family systems and psycho-educational counseling techniques, I have combined these into an eclectic approach to meet each client’s needs.
As a counselor who specializes in child-centered play therapy and parenting issues, I see my therapy as solution focused not problem-focused. In my work with children, I value the importance of maintaining communication (with client or parent consent) with schools, pediatricians, day-care facilities and parents. In this way, my therapy goes beyond the walls of my office, if appropriate, as I coordinate meeting the needs of my clients.
Shirley Knapp, Licensed Professional Counselor
Blair County Location
Psychotherapy is not like visiting a medical doctor in that it requires a very active involvement and effort on the part of each client to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My treatment approach is aimed at this collaborative relationship to deal with specific treatment goals. There are no “quick fixes” or “passive remedies” to life’s difficulties. Therapy is an ongoing process between appointment sessions. As the therapist, I will provide a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental atmosphere in which we will identify, learn to manage and ultimately modify thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. My treatment focus is short-term solution-oriented dealing with, but not limited to, the following concerns: anxiety/panic attacks, stress management, substance abuse and addiction issues, depression, anger, and domestic abuse issues.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I have my certification as a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and I am certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist as well as a National Board Certified Counselor. My years of experience include providing individual assessments and counseling for substance abuse and behavioral health groups. I also provide psycho educational interventions for individuals referred by their employers due to alcohol or other drug abuse issues. I see myself as a counselor with a wide range of clinical training and experience who can help others help themselves.
Steve Root, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Pittsburgh/Crafton Location
As we grow and develop on life’s journey we will encounter challenges that require the assistance of others. Seeking the help of a trained counselor for an emotional, situational, or relationship problem is an affirmation of the desire to restore, maintain, and increase one’s level of functioning and sense of well-being. I approach the client / therapist work as a collaborative effort focused on understanding the problem, identifying goals, and engaging in a process leading to problem resolution.
In this relationship my role is to provide safe ground for the client(s) to embark on the problem solving process by being an effective listener, providing feedback and guidance, and assisting the client in obtaining the information, knowledge, insight, skills, resources, and support needed to accomplish his/her goals. I treat a broad spectrum of problems for clients 18 years and older with special areas of expertise that include marriage/couple counseling, anxiety and depression, loss/grief, stress management, and living with chronic illness and disability.
My treatment orientation is integrative mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatment approaches have proven to be effective in helping individuals, couples, and families manage, resolve, and heal from emotional, physical and situational problems. The general goal is to restore and increase one’s level of functioning and well-being.
In the interest of providing coordinated more comprehensive care, with the consent of the client, I maintain communication with client’s medical providers and other community resources as needed.
Prior to scheduling an initial appointment I am happy to answer your questions about my practice and the counseling process.
Roberta Weiner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Blair County Location
Deciding to try psychotherapy can be difficult for some people. Some believe it is a weakness to ask for help and others believe that it means they’re ‘crazy’. I find that my clients are usually just stuck or are in pain as they roll along life’s journey. I believe it shows strength of character to take that first step in asking for help-especially if you’ve never done it before.
I first became interested becoming a psychotherapist from the positive experiences I had with my own therapy. That propelled me to receive a licensed degree in social work at the University of Pittsburgh. My job is not to tell you what to do with your life but to work collaboratively to help you achieve the goals that you set for yourself. This is accomplished by providing different ways of viewing situations, educating, challenging your thoughts and behaviors and providing support so that you can find a resolution for your issue.
I am an action-oriented therapist which means that in addition to listening and providing feedback, I ask that you consider allowing me to assign some concrete actions for you to try in between sessions. This helps pinpoint what can aid in alleviating the problem. Throughout my years of experience the areas that I work with include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, stress, domestic violence, grief, anger management, family conflicts, parenting issues and marital counseling.
Dawn Boggs, Licensed Professional Counselor
Pittsburgh/Crafton Location
Life is a journey with many paths. Choosing the path that best fits for you can be difficult, especially when there are many bumps and unexpected roadblocks. Therapy is a process that can help people on this journey in many different ways. From everyday situations like parenting, work and relationships, to more specific ones like addiction, depression or anxiety, everyone struggles with issues like these from time to time. Asking for help during these tough, stressful times can not only be intimidating and scary, but courageous and life changing.
My approach to therapy is one where the therapist and client work collaboratively to overcome/resolve the issue at hand. Work is encouraged in between sessions to help the client achieve their goals. I use an eclectic approach with clients depending on their need and style.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I work with children, adolescents and adults in the context of individual, couple and family therapy. My areas of expertise include depression, compulsive gambling, anxiety, substance abuse, parenting, stress, anger management and family issues as well as childhood issues such as ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. My goal is for people to improve their lives and make positive changes.