meet Greg Gayda, LPC
Education and Background
Greg was born and raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from Duquesne University with degrees in Psychology and Sociology. At that time, he started working full time in a residential treatment center for teenagers with addiction issues while working on his Masters Degree in Counseling. He is an experienced therapist and clinical supervisor and is available for LPC supervision. Greg has worked in both substance abuse and mental health with children, teens, and adults, including 10 years providing therapy to struggling foster children/teens and their families. He also has experience in interventions. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). He has been in the helping professions for 20+ years.
Experience and Approach
Greg has a wide range of experience spanning case management, therapy, clinical supervision, and interventions. He has a strong background in Cognitive Behavioral and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and focuses on ways in which we cope with overwhelming feelings, in both healthy and unhealthy ways. He uses education, a sense of humor, and a non-judgmental approach to help people make more positive and healthier choices. He has worked with people struggling with addiction and their families, those struggling with significant trauma, depression and anxiety, attachment, and those just wanting more from life and not sure how to proceed.
Specialties and Training
Greg specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) using a person-centered approach to help people through a wide variety of life events and struggles. He has facilitated groups on mental health, survivors of abuse, anger management, healthy relationship skills, family issues, and works on an individual level with those looking for support.
Insurances Accepted
Greg is able to accept Highmark, UPMC, Optum/United, and Aetna insurance.
LPC Supervision
Greg is currently accepting new supervises for LPC licensure. To schedule a consultation with Greg for LPC supervision please complete this inquiry form.
Consultation
Greg values collaboration and continued support for other providers in this field. To schedule a consultation with Greg, please click the link below.
meet Christine lewis, LPC
Specialties and Passion
Christine has a passion for walking alongside individuals who have history of trauma, depression, and anxiety. Christine specializes in trauma informed care, DBT, and EMDR to treat PTSD symptoms, ineffective communication skills, emotional disregulation, and maladaptive coping mechanisms. She recognizes the capacity for wellness resides inside each of us and her person-centered approach aims to identify and enhance each individual's inner wisdom and strength. Every person is deserving of living a fulfilling life.
Education and Experience
Christine grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Waynesburg University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology and with her Master's in Professional Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and practces full time at an ambulatory co-occurring outpatient treatment center. Christine has worked in the helping field for 8 years.
Additional Trainings
Christine is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is working toward certification.
Insurances Accepted
Christine is able to accept Highmark and Optum insurance as well as self pay clients.
*Christine is not currently accepting new clients
MEET RASHELL HUPFER, LPC
Background and Education
Rashell grew up in Elk County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Psychology. From there she moved to the Pittsburgh area and began working in the addictions field with adolescent and teen females in a residential setting. During this time, she went back to school to further her education and graduated from Waynesburg University with her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health and drug and alcohol, family based, BHRS exception programs, and wraparound services. She has worked with all ages and populations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and practices full time at a mental health outpatient treatment center. She has been in the helping profession for 16 years.
Experience and Approach
Rashell uses strength-based and person-centered approaches to focus on the client’s existing resources, resilience, and positive qualities in an effort to use these abilities to improve quality of life and reduce problematic symptoms. She has experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders and at-risk populations as well as individuals who have survived significant and complex trauma. She primarily works with those suffering from trauma-based issues, abuse, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and substance abuse/dependence.
Specialties and Training
Rashell specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, psychodynamic, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). She has a passion for supporting and guiding people through personal challenges, helping ease emotional burdens, empowering them to achieve a healthier perspective, and discover newfound hope. She hopes to continue walking alongside people who need support, encouragement and empowerment in their lives.
Insurances Accepted
Rashell is able to accept Highmark, UPMC, and Optum insurance as well as self pay clients.
Meet Oscar Aguilera, LPC
Background and Education
Oscar and his family migrated to the United States from Nicaragua in 1991, became a citizen in 1993, and spent the rest of his childhood in Greenport, NY. He found a passion for working with youth and individuals with PTSD. He also values experiential learning and holistic understanding of the effects of trauma. Oscar completed two Master's Degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Experiential Learning. He is currently a National Certified Counselor and has a current Life Coach Certification.
Experience and Training
Oscar has an extensive background in working with the at-risk youth population. He has also worked in the addiction field as well as with couples addressing relationship issues. Oscar incorporates experiential learning and trauma informed care with Cognitive based approaches to therapy. Oscar worked for several years for Wounded Warrior Project and continues to work to support veterans in the community. Oscar has complete Level 2 in the Gottman Method and enjoys helping couples navigate challenges.
Ideal Clients and Passion
Oscar is currently accepting new clients as well as focusing on community outreach and advocacy through using his own story as well as connecting with others to spread awareness of trauma and inclusion. He is able to offer sessions in Spanish.
Insurances Accepted
Oscar is able to accept Highmark insurance as well as self pay clients.
meet courtney cannon, LPC
Background and Education
Courtney graduated from Carlow University with her Masters in Professional
Counseling. Since graduation, she has focused her time on helping individuals who are
dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, and women’s issues. She briefly
spent time working with adolescents in a school based counseling program. From there,
she spent time working with clients struggling with addiction in an outpatient clinic.
Currently, she is working in a private practice setting helping individuals identify and
achieve their goals. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with friends and family
and taking her 2 year old son on outside adventures. She also enjoys getting involved in
neighborhood activities that support local residents.
Approach to Therapy
Courtney strives to create a relaxed, comfortable, and supportive environment for all of
her clients. She believes developing a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship is the
key to successful therapy. Courtney places confidence in her clients that they know
what their needs are and as a counselor she is there to help the client prioritize those
needs. Courtney recognizes as individuals our past experiences shape our current
struggles but she aims to assist clients in redefining their future without negativity
hanging over them.
Courtney utilizes several counseling techniques to best serve her clients needs. During
the initial sessions, we will collaboratively determine the issues you want to address
first. From there, we will develop a treatment plan to best serve your needs. Courtney’s
counseling approach involves a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative
Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy to help guide clients to achieving their goals at
their own pace. She is focused on working with adolescents and adults who struggle
with managing their emotional, behavioral, and social needs.
Ideal Client
My ideal client would be someone who is willing to be open and honest both with me as
their counselor and with themself, especially during tough moments. This client would
be someone who is motivated for change and who would be ready to work during our
sessions. While change and a new point of view can be daunting, this client would be
open-minded to a new perspective.
Insurances Accepted
Courtney accepts Highmark, UPMC, Cigna, Aetna, Optum/United insurance as well as self pay clients.
Meet Alicia Norman, LPC
Background and Education
Alicia graduated from Regent University in 2015 with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Trauma and PTSD Management. She employs a client centered approach to mental health, with the goal to form a therapeutic alliance with client in an empathetic, non-judegmental, accepting way. She also holds a B.S. in Psychology with two specializations: Crisis & Trauma Management as well as a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education.
Alicia specializes in the following areas: • Anxiety • Depression • Addiction • Dual Diagnosis • Grief • Trauma/ PTSD • Domestic Violence/ Abuse /Assault Survivors • Mood Disorders • Personality Disorders • Suicide/ Self Harm • Stress/ Trauma/ PTSD - Military Related as well as family of Military members
Experience and Certifications
Alicia holds the following licenses and certifications: Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, American Association of Christian Counselors, Master’s Certificate in Trauma Counseling, Certification in Critical Incident Stress Management, Certification in Complex Grief Management, and certification in EMDR (eye movement desensitization & reprocessing).
Alicia has ten years of experience working with individuals in a variety of settings such as Outpatient Mental Health Counseling , Crisis Management, Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation, Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation, and Case Management.
Alicia works with individuals from teens to the mature adult. She is skilled at working with individuals, couples, and groups. Alicia is trained to work with most areas of clinical disorder. Clinically, she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She is also trained in Trauma-Focused care (TF-CBT) as well as Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Ideal Client and Passion
Alicia is passionate about helping adult clients struggling with Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, Grief, Trauma/ PTSD, Domestic Violence/ Abuse /Assault Survivors, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Suicide/ Self Harm, Stress/ Trauma/ PTSD, Military Related as well as family of Military members.
Meet Lacey StephenS, Licensed Massage Therapist
Experience and Training
Lacey is a licensed massage therapist with over a decade of experience in the field, having begun her practice in 2009. She completed her training at a massage school in Fairmont, WV, and further expanded her knowledge through continued education at the Pittsburgh Massage School. As a dedicated military wife and proud mother of three, she understands the importance of balance and well-being in both personal and professional life. In her early career, she gained invaluable experience working in a chiropractic care setting in Morgantown, where she honed her skills before establishing her own practice.
Specialization and Passion
Lacey's specialization lies in deep tissue and sports therapy, though she has trained in a variety of techniques to enhance her therapeutic offerings. Her primary objective is to provide relief and comfort to her clients, recognizing that massage is not only therapeutic and healing but also fosters personal growth and wellness. She welcomes the opportunity to discuss how her services can support your journey to recovery and improvement.