Therapists for college students near University of Pennsylvania

Many of the students and young adults we work best with are in the middle of a transition. They may have just moved away from home, started college or graduate school, begun a new job, or are trying to figure out who they are outside of their family. On the outside, it can look like they’re “doing fine.” On the inside, they often feel anxious, overwhelmed, uncertain, or afraid of making the wrong choices. You might relate if you’re struggling with independence — wanting space from your family but also feeling pulled back by guilt or expectations. Maybe you worry about the future, question your decisions constantly, or feel behind compared to everyone else. “Adulting” can feel harder than anyone warned you about. If you’re navigating identity, relationships, pressure to succeed, or fear of what comes next, you’re not alone. We work well with students who are thoughtful, self-aware, and ready to better understand themselves — even if they’re not sure where to start.

Desiree (she/her/hers) is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Richmond. She continued her education at Wake Forest University where she earned her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to her career as a counselor, Desiree is a mother (and bonus mom!) to five wonderful boys who have inspired her to be a mental health advocate for our next generation of leaders. Desiree has experience providing school-based and outpatient therapy services to children, adolescents and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, childhood trauma, life transitions, and also providing support to LGBTQ+ individuals. Desiree also has experience working with student athletes of various ages and skill levels in youth sports who are struggling with performance anxieties, positive self-talk, and self-actualization. She believes that each person has the potential to change, and counseling is a safe space where an individual can learn how to tap into that potential. Desiree believes in meeting her clients where they are and utilizing a person-centered, strength-based approach while incorporating cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients effectively achieve their long-term goals.

Ellie Mental Health is not your average provider. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs. We have an incredible group of therapists who are encouraged to be unique and creative while offering customized care.

Therapist specializing in art therapy & EMDR. In-person in Philadelphia or virtual in PA.

I provide individual, couples, and family therapy in person in Philadelphia, and I can see clients virtually in most states including New York. Because I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and was the director of Penn's O’Brien Center for Addiction Treatment, I have extensive experience with the needs of Penn students. I work well with student athletes, including those who are recovering from injuries. I am very familiar with the application processes for medical school, veterinary school, law school, and business school--and with careers in competitive industries such as consulting, investment banking, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate development. I can help students with burnout and academic stress as well as anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. In addition to working with Penn Students, I also have experience with students from NYU, Georgetown, the University of Michigan, Yale, Brown, Fordham, Drexel, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, St. Joe's, Cornell, the University of Delaware, the University of Pittsburgh, American University, Penn State, Thomas Jefferson University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and many other schools. I have helped students to find meaningful romantic relationships and to heal earlier relationship injuries that may be getting in the way of intimacy. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be very helpful for overcoming childhood and relationship wounding. More broadly, I am skilled at helping with career coaching, anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia, grief, loneliness and addiction. I also work with people to improve their relationships with social media and screens. My style is nonjudgmental and flexible. I often use EMDR to help people to work through stressful or traumatic events and to better understand themselves. Depending on the client’s goals, I can integrate CBT, DBT, and solution-oriented approaches. I have extensive training in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and, for couples, IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out). I also have specialized training in the CRAFT approach for how to talk to loved ones about addictive behaviors without hurting the relationship. Using EMDR, I can help people to address the root causes of complex issues like addiction. My background is in positive psychology and addiction. My postdoctoral fellowship at Penn was in positive psychology. From that I learned to help people to use their strengths to build happier lives and careers.

Recognizing the client as the expert of their own world, I prioritize creating a safe, welcoming space for them to share and unpack their journey. As a graduate of Towson University’s Clinical Psychology program, I integrate CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and evidence-based methods to support diverse client needs, including neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, and family and interpersonal conflict.

I work with people who are interested in improving their relationships with one another. 

Therapy is a place where partners can learn how to disrupt old patterns and start experiencing the pleasure of interacting in new ways. The work involves talking, examining the obstacles to talking, and using what happens in sessions as a way to understand what goes on outside of therapy. It also involves bringing creativity to the problems at hand and trying things differently. 

 I like to create a space with ample opportunity for collaboration as we address the issues that present. Most of all, I strive to provide a safe environment where each individual can explore anything about themselves in their relationships. 

 If you're interested in enhancing the communication and understanding in your relationship, therapy may be right for you. I offer 50-minute and 75-minute sessions in-person and online. Therapy is a significant investment; if you're curious whether therapy could help, I encourage you to reach out to schedule a free phone or video consultation.

One of the main components of therapy is to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. My office offers teletherapy play sessions with children and is also easily transformed into a space comfortable for adolescents, adults, and couples. For more than 10 years, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral and emotional challenges. My professional experience consists of working in a variety of settings including: in-home therapy, outpatient, and group practice. My clinical areas of specialty include: anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and trauma. I utilize a broad range of evidence-based modalities to help assist clients through their journey to mental wellness. These treatment modalities include: person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), child development, and play therapy. I believe therapy is a highly individualized and a personal experience. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults and couples. I offer phone coaching in between sessions. I return EVERY call and email.

Tired of feeling fine one moment and spiraling the next? Exhausted by the chaos overthinking and anxiety create in your mind? Maybe the constant buzzing, self-doubt, and physical tension are keeping you from truly living—and part of you wonders if therapy would even help. I get it… I’ve been there. It’s completely normal to start therapy unsure of what to expect. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you can slow down, catch your breath, and move at your own pace. Together, we’ll focus on practical tools to help calm your nervous system, quiet your mind, and help you feel more like yourself again. You bring your story, goals, and experiences—and I'll bring guidance, insight, and understanding. Together, we’ll get you moving toward a life that feels authentic and meaningful to you. With nearly 20 years of experience, a deep understanding of my specialties, and evidence-based tools tailored to you, I’m here to help you find the peace you deserve. You are warmly invited to call, email, or visit my website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. I’ll be here, ready to listen, ready to guide, and 110% committed to helping you achieve the life you deserve.

Hi, I‘m Chaise (He/Him), a student therapist under supervision as I complete my Master’s in Couples and Family Therapy. I recently moved to Philadelphia and spent most of my life living in a rural area before I moved. My journey towards becoming a therapist has been shaped by my life experiences and a desire to help people understand and cope with things that they experience. When I was studying psychology at Millersville University, I knew I wanted to be a therapist but struggled trying to figure out how I wanted to help people. Through the classes I took and internships I did I realized that the area I really wanted to focus on was sexuality and creating a space where people can feel safe and comfortable talking about any aspect that they want/need to. I’m especially drawn to working with people who are in the LGBTQ+ community as well as people or couples who are struggling with issues related to kinks and fetishes and/or sex addiction. One of my personal philosophies is that these topics needs a safe space to be talked about whether it be needing support while you explore your sexual identity or wanting additional support while you and your partner(s) discuss boundaries or discuss what you desire from each other sexually. My life experiences have helped me to understand that each person’s lived experiences are unique to them and so what may help one person might not help someone else. I try to bring this understanding with me into each session so I can try to support each client to the best of my ability while still trying to stay true to myself.

Kristen is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor working her way toward independent licensure. She enjoys working with individuals ages 6 to 60 across an array of mental health diagnoses and areas of concern, whether in individual or family contexts. She adopts an integrated approach to her therapeutic style, pulling from several evidenced-based models of counseling, largely utilizing elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and its derivatives as well as Psychodynamic and Humanistic theoretical models. Through this, she recognizes the need for and ensures that each client and/or family has a tailored plan to address their concerns and achieve their goals. Kristen is also motivated to specialize further in trauma-focused care, especially for individuals struggling to cope with grief, ADHD, and Autism. In her free time, she loves engaging creatively by painting, drawing, and making jewelry; and spending time with friends and loved ones including her cat Monroe.

I am now offering in-person sessions with safety protocols. Please reach out with any questions. Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist conveniently located in Center City Philadelphia. In my practice, I provide psychotherapy and psychological testing services to adults and adolescents with a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, educational difficulties, trauma, relationship problems, and other life stressors. Additionally, I offer couples counseling to help partners find health and happiness in their relationships. It would be my pleasure to work with you.

My name is Eve Buck (she/her/hers), and I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor. I work with individuals and couples living in New York and Pennsylvania at my virtual practice. I completed my master’s degree in mental health counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University. My previous training includes working with undergraduate and graduate students at the Fordham University counseling center, as well as community practices where I have worked with culturally diverse clients from all walks of life. I particularly enjoy working with young adults and senior adults and have specialized training in therapy for people who identify as Latinx. It is through the experiences and lessons I have learned along my work and personal journeys that I hope to support your path toward overcoming your personal struggles and finding greater fulfillment. I pride myself on utilizing a multicultural approach to therapy while bringing in teachings and principles of multiple disciplines, drawing mainly from psychodynamic therapy among other evidence-based practices. It is this multidisciplinary approach that I believe best serves clients, allowing space for present-minded problem solving as well as exploration into a client’s past, relationships, and emotional experience. Our work together can be tailored based on your life story and experiences and what you hope to gain from therapy. Everyone’s therapy journey is different. Whether it’s working through trauma or beginning a path towards better self-understanding, I strive to provide an open, non-judgmental, and productive space where people can find relief from distressing symptoms as well as develop a stronger sense of self through insight and reflection. Just like each person is unique, each treatment is different and adapted to who you are and what you need. I recognize the wide breadth of human experience and I bring this knowledge with me to best meet your needs. Life can be difficult and confusing, but as your therapist I will be there to empathize with and support you through it.

We all strive for success in our lives. How we function as parents, professionals, students, or children is shaped by a delicate interaction between factors inside us and outside of us. Our inherited traits, past experiences, and current circumstances all play a role in influencing how we navigate life’s challenges. Yet, it can sometimes be difficult to identify which of these factors are enhancing or hindering our ability to function at our best. The key to greater satisfaction and success lies in being aware of these internal and external factors, understanding how they influence our behavior, and learning how to regulate their impact. As a physician trained in adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry, I take a deeply individualized approach to each of my patients. I work with you to promote a healthy, psychoanalytically oriented exploration of yourself, helping you uncover the root causes of any emotional or psychological distress. By understanding these underlying factors, we can work together to create a clear path toward healing and growth In addition to working with individuals, I also collaborate closely with parents to support the emotional and psychological development of their children. Parenting can be incredibly challenging, and it’s important to approach it with insight and support. I work with families to develop highly individualized strategies that promote mental health, emotional resilience, and a more fulfilling life for everyone involved. Whether you are facing longstanding struggles or simply want to explore your thoughts and feelings more deeply, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can enhance your mental health, achieve greater emotional balance, & improve your overall satisfaction with life. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your journey.

We believe that finding the right therapist is finding someone who can be there for you throughout your life, for both times of need and phases of growth. As a practice, we believe that those who go to therapy are some of the most well-balanced individuals who understand themselves better and strive to grow into the best version of themselves. We are a collaborative practice with offices located in Center City Philadelphia and King of Prussia, PA ready to work with you in coping with a broad range of life challenges. Our community of therapists strives for excellence in treatment and compassion to each individual, couple, and family. Taking the first step to contact a therapist can be overwhelming. We understand that and are ready to answer any questions you may have and match you with a specialized therapist who can help YOU.

I have been in practice for over 25 years, helping young adults navigate the challenging and exciting college years. I help young adults with anxiety, body image, stress management, peer conflicts, depression and academic success. I identify unhelpful thinking patterns, teach effective ways to regulate difficult emotions, and encourage healthy behaviors.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am honored to provide Pittsburgh with quality mental health services. I truly believe that people have the capacity to change, grow, and achieve their full potential within the context of a supportive environment. This belief fuels my work as a therapist. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and received my Masters in Social Work from New York University. I help adults with trauma histories & adverse childhood experiences, college students who are overwhelmed, and I provide relationship support for those of us who keep playing out toxic patterns.

Complex trauma can be a stubborn and unwanted life companion. Living through repeated exposure to traumatic and harmful experiences can leave you feeling unable to trust yourself or others, seeing yourself differently, and feeling chronically unsafe. And alongside those wounds, complicated grief can also be woven into the mix of post-traumatic pain. Complicated grief is so much more than “just” a loss - it’s anger, sadness, guilt, and confusion surrounding losses that can’t always be easily defined. As a licensed professional counselor with a special interest in trauma treatment, I understand the profound impact these experiences can have on an individual’s emotional well being. Working together, our sessions can be a safe space to share your experiences, knowing you will be met with empathy and a commitment to helping you rewrite the narrative. Childhood trauma might have cast a long shadow, and grief might feel like a complex maze, but I will work with you to find the path forward. In our conversations, we will not only acknowledge your pain but craft a narrative that honors your resilience and strength. Whether we're unwrapping the layers of childhood echoes or tenderly exploring the nuances of grief, my goal is to empower you to tell a new, more liberating story. If you're ready to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery, I'm here to be your guide. Let's turn the page and start a chapter that speaks to your courage and resilience. Your story is worth telling, and I'm honored to help you shape it in a way that reflects your strength. Ready to begin?

My ideal client is open, curious, and willing to try. Their goals may include improving self-esteem and body image, developing effective communication skills and relationships, expanding movement vocabulary, gaining insight into patterns of behavior, creating new coping options, building self-awareness, improving emotional regulation, and strengthening the connection between the brain and the body While verbal processing is a part of most therapeutic processes, Dance/Movement Therapy includes the possibility of non-verbal communication. Founded on the idea that motion and emotion are interconnected, Dance/Movement Therapy uses creativity to strengthen communication skills. Whether you are looking for traditional talk therapy, or you want to try a new technique to feel more in your body, please reach out to discuss. The possibilities are endless, don't let the word "dance" deter you. This is not about technique or perfection. This is about you and your own sense of movement.

You may be functioning well on the outside while quietly feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or exhausted inside. Therapy can be a place to slow down, exhale, and begin to understand what’s really driving those patterns. I offer in-person and virtual sessions in a calm, inviting office where you can speak openly and feel genuinely heard. My style is relaxed and relational, and our work is intentional. We’ll start with what feels most present for you, and then gently move toward the deeper roots. Clients often share that they appreciate both the warmth of our conversations and the clarity that comes from having specific tools to navigate their challenges. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, the impacts of trauma, relationship concerns, or an eating disorder, our work together will be thoughtful, focused, and tailored to you. If you're looking for therapy that balances emotional depth with practical tools, I'm happy to connect and see if we're a good fit.