Dr. Larry Berger, Licensed Professional Counselor
Pittsburgh/Crafton Location
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with almost 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. My highest educational degree is a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. I work with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with a variety of behavioral health issues through individual and/or family counseling. I am a Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional, so I work with many clients who have issues with both mental health and substance abuse problems. I have worked with clients in various behavioral health environments, including inpatient psychiatric units, residential programs, and in the outpatient setting. My therapeutic background combines the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy, systems therapy, and mindfulness approaches. In order to address an individual’s problems, I believe it is important to address the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. One clinical approach does not work with every client, so I adjust therapeutic interactions to meet the needs of my clients. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a positive, happy life, and in order to do this, one must learn from the past and focus on the present to have a bright future.
In my practice, I am honest with my clients to foster an open exchange of information and ideas. No one knows a client better than they know themselves, and often the answers one has been searching for have been within him/her all along. My job as a clinician is not to tell people how to live their lives, but to help them decide for themselves what they need to do to live the best life possible.
Lynn Carrick, Licensed Professional Counselor
Pittsburgh/Crafton Location
Most of us drive to work each day without giving a second thought about what route to take. We are often on auto-pilot in our lives too. We may repeat the same patterns over and over again, but wonder in exasperation how we end up in the same old fight with our spouse, in a mess at work, or with the same feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger. Sometimes we don’t realize our part in the pattern. Other times, we can see the pattern, but do not know how to change it.
Therapy is one avenue to take when ready to consider taking charge of your life, even if it is in a small way at first.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with almost 20 years of experience. I enjoy what I do and look forward to the clients that I meet with each day. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, in the context of individual, couples, and family therapy. I see clients who are struggling with various symptoms. And together, we can get to the heart of the problem and begin the transition toward a healthier emotional life.
I care about my clients and want them to feel that they can develop a relationship with me so that I can provide to them honest feedback, empathy, guidance, and support. I partner with clients to help them transform how they cope with struggles and discover inner strengths while enhancing their insight.
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.
Michelle Hammel, Licensed Social Worker
Hollidaysburg Location
I am a Licensed Social Worker and received my masters in Social Work through Temple University. My work with children, individuals and families has provided me with many years of experience. It is my goal to provide a safe, supportive environment for clients so they begin problem-solving and facing their challenges. While offering guidance to clients I also provide them with empathetic listening, skill building and encouragement.
I enjoy working with children by utilizing child-centered play therapy and techniques. I am most interested in assisting clients to resolve issues regarding depression, anxiety, relationships, grief and loss, attachment, foster care and adoption, as well as, stress and anger management.
I believe in using an eclectic therapeutic approach to ensure therapy is always client specific. I see the value in assisting people by building on their own strengths and past successes in order to help them reach their goals. By using open and honest communication while working with clients, I hope to lead them to positive change and mental health.
Abbie Hawkey, Licensed Professional Counselor
Pittsburgh/Crafton Location
“Only when are are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ~ Brene Brown.
Therapy is a team effort, together we will improve your connection with yourself and those around you, help build resilience to shame, and build your sense of worth. Together, we will help you move past your stuck points, find new ways of coping, and feel comfortable with your authentic self. I meet my clients where they are at, and help them get to where they want to go.
I have worked with clients from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of concerns. I have extensive work with adolescents and young adults especially related to depression, anxiety, identity issues, strained relationships, underachieving and acting out.
In my practice, I feel humor is what keeps us all real, to ourselves and each other. I provide a laid back and relaxed atmosphere to ensure you feel comfortable in our therapeutic relationship.
Leah Hmel, Licensed Social Worker
Hollidaysburg Location
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you or you can let it strengthen you.” -unknown
Leah has worked with all age groups in both family and individual counseling settings. She has experience in dealing with issues related to trauma, abuse and neglect, grief and loss, behavior modification, stress management and adjustment/mood disorders. She also has experience treating depression and anxiety disorders. Leah has worked extensively in the child welfare field with children, birth parents and foster families involved in the foster care system as they transition through to a goal of reunification or adoption. Leah employs a strength based, solution focused approach to treatment using a multitude of techniques and approaches to ensure that each client’s treatment is specifically tailored to meet the individual’s needs. Leah’s goal is to utilize her education, clinical skills, and work experience to serve as an advocate and resource to help to empower individuals and families.
Leah received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a related area in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She later received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh with a specialization in Mental Health. Leah is currently practicing as a Licensed Social Worker while pursuing her clinical license.
Leah is a member of the Geriatric Interest Network (GIN) of Blair County and is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Tamira Rosner, Licensed Professional Counselor
Virginia Location
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, with over 14 years of experience, I work with individuals and families to address their personal concerns and to promote mental health. I specialize in marital and other relationship problems, depression, stress management and job-related concerns.
I believe in helping people help themselves through a supportive counseling relationship. Everyone will face challenges throughout their lifetime. Even positive changes in one’s life can bring about new stressors. Offering a safe environment where people can communicate openly and honestly can lead to positive changes and outcomes.
I believe in working pro-actively with my clients to achieve positive results. I strive to provide guidance and assistance for people in identifying their personal needs, desires and goals, and the obstacles which impact them negatively. In doing so, I do not adhere to one approach, but rather accept that everyone is an individual, and thus each path taken is an individual and unique journey. With encouragement, guidance, counsel, assistance, and skill development, we can all make positive changes in our lives.
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.
Merredith Steulpe, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Virginia Location
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience. I work with individuals and families to address personal, work-related and mental health concerns. I treat a wide range of issues with the main focus on: relationships, anxiety and depression, work-related problems, and parenting/family issues.
I use an eclectic approach to counseling which is based primarily on what will be the best fit for the client and the issues they are addressing in counseling. I work collaboratively with the client to identify needs and develop goals to be achieved through the counseling process. I strive to create an environment where clients will feel safe and supported while at the same time they are being challenged. In my office I strive to listen effectively, provide guidance or new insights where helpful, assist with skill-building and resources, and provide support and encouragement. I believe that with help, people can make positive changes that can lead to living happier and healthier lives.