Meet The Team

Amy is the owner of Thrive and a counseling supervisor. She counsels adult individuals and couples virtually. Amy is PhD eligible in Clinical Sexology from the Modern Sex Therapy Institute. She is an LGBTQIA+ affirming and sex positive therapist who approaches therapy with a Feminist and Person-Centered Perspective. Her work with clients focus on gender identity, body image, relationship issues, sexual concerns, infidelity, kink, and consensual non-monogamy. Amy brings lightheartedness and laughter into sessions, while being supportive and affirming throughout. Outside of therapy, Amy enjoys traveling, creative endeavors, trying new restaurants, spending time with her three dogs, and laughing with family and friends.

Carolyn sees individual clients in person and virtually, offering therapy services for women and LGBTQIA+ clients aged 16+. She has devoted her practice to working with clients with Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID, OSFED, and Binge Eating Disorder) and Anxiety diagnoses. Creating a safe and validating space for all client presentations is of the utmost importance to her. Carolyn has an empathetic and eclectic therapeutic style. This tends to take form as person-centered talk therapy, and pulls from CBT, CBT-E, DBT, and ACT, in addition to feminist and mindfulness practices. Her main goal is to validate and empower her clients to live authentic and meaningful lives; she views healing and growth as a lifelong practice. As a member of The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), Carolyn’s practice is informed by the principles of Health at Every Size and body neutrality. Therapy with Carolyn supports self exploration and allows for clients to improve their relationships with themselves and others, confront and challenge diet culture and Euro-centric metrics of health and beauty, develop and implement boundaries, view rest as a deeply radical act of self love, and learn and actualize what health—physical and mental—means to them. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys visiting local and national parks with her partner, caring for her cats and rabbits, and catching up with friends near and far.

Ana sees individual clients virtually, offering therapy for LGBTQIA+ clients and women ages 14 and up. Ana especially thrives working with young adults in their 20s and 30s Ana utilizes an integrative somatic approach that draws on sensorimotor psychotherapy, Polyvagal theory, and mindfulness training. As a clinician, Ana hopes to empower clients to develop trust in their intuition and bodies, ultimately discovering and trusting their true selves. Ana’s therapeutic approach can help clients challenge their shame, dismantle internalized systems of oppression, develop boundaries, and learn to connect and communicate better with themselves and people in their lives. Ana also has considerable experience with diet culture and eating disorder recovery, and can provide unconditional support through these challenges. If traditional talk therapy and cognitive approaches such as CBT haven’t worked for you in the past, Ana’s therapeutic style may be for you! When not practicing therapy, Ana loves to cuddle with her cats, draw and paint, walk in nature, and laugh with friends and loved ones.

Ashlee sees individual adults and couples in person and virtually. Her clients are typically open minded and ready to challenge themselves. Through extensive personally and with clients, Ashlee specializes in athletic counseling Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused therapy. Ashlee's style is supportive, collaborative, and fun, encouraging her clients to become 1% better each day. "When I started college and moved across the country away from my family to pursue my education and play college softball, I went through a lot of trials and tribulations that challenged my identity. I experienced loss, injury, and grief. Life is filled with unexpected turns and curveballs. Learning that I could focus on moving to the next ring of the ladder into becoming a better version of myself, I saw that the view was absolutely beautiful." Outside of therapy, Ashlee spends time with her puppy, Peaches. She also likes to do landscaping, go to the gym, and cook.

Avi sees individual adults and couples virtually and in person. Using Person-Centered, Systems-Focused, Gestalt, Attachment, Solutions-Focused, and EFT techniques, Avi loves working with clients and couples who are in transitional periods of their lives: adolescents, college students, adults navigating shifts in relationships or family structure. They especially relate to LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and AFAB folks working through sexual trauma or building a sexual identity for themselves for the first time. Avi started the first LGBTQIA+ centered domestic violence program in Pittsburgh at the Women's Center and Shelter as well as completed an 8 month program in Systemic Sex Therapy at the Center for Relationships, both of which demonstrate a commitment to furthering their education and providing growth to the community. Sessions with Avi are a combination of affirming, silly, existential, and creative depending upon the client's personality. Avi has lived experience as bisexual, Jewish, non-binary individual with ADHD. When not in session, Avi enjoys music, playing with their dog, nature, and exploring wellness-related topics.

Bernadette sees adult individuals, couples, and families in person and virtually. Using techniques from Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy, Bernadette aims to assist those clients simply trying to make sense of their journey in the midst of struggles that cause angst and distress. Sessions with Bernadette leave clients feeling relaxed, heard, and appreciated while incorporating space for humor and vulnerability. Bernadette says "It took me many years to work through my own family dysfunction before I was able to recognize the beauty of a life well lived. After a long career in aviation, I began college at the age of 50 and am currently working on my PhD. This made me realize that starting over is filled with ageless and infinite adventures. It is never too late to be free and happy as the journey inward is filled with great possibilities." Bernadette's interests outside of therapy include spending time with her husband and grown sons, writing and producing television and film, and celebrating fashion.

Jennah sees individuals of all ages both in person and virtually. She is EMDR certified and uses Client-centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches when working with clients. Jennah specializes in working with children and adolescents who struggle with anxiety, addictions, trauma, body issues, and overall mental wellbeing. She is an easy-going and understanding person. Jennah enjoys joking around and not taking life so seriously. Jennah knows first-hand how important yet difficult it is to seek help. She experienced her first panic attack in 8th grade and let her anxiety rule her life for so many years. She recognizes that seeking out therapy takes courage and tries to make sessions a positive experience and meet you where you are at. Outside of work Jennah is at the dog park with her dog, boxing at her gym, or crafting. She thoroughly enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. Pittsburgh has always and will always be her home.

Rachel is one of our Interns. She is able to see clients for pro bono sessions under the supervision of our clinical supervisor.

Gabriella sees individual clients of all ages and couples virtually. She uses CBT, DBT, and Mindfulness to provide person-centered therapy. Gabriella has experience working with Autistic clients, as well as those seeking support for anxiety, depression, personality disorders, or sexually maladaptive behaviors. She has lived experience with chronic illness and adoption. Outside of therapy, Gabriella enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and going to the movies.

Sam sees adult individual clients, both in person and virtually. She works from strengths-based, trauma-informed, person-centered, and Feminist perspectives. Sam is LGBTQIA+, sex, and body positive. She has experience working with people who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, addiction, emotional abuse and neglect, and personality disorders. The interventions she uses are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), CBT, motivational interviewing (MI), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR). Sam believes that, since every client is different, they each require a different approach. Nothing cookie cutter here! Sam’s approach uses a lot of laughter, really connecting with the client on a personal level, using lots of validation, and comes from a place where each client is the expert on themselves. When she’s not in sessions, she likes to spend time with her dog Babka, play video games, knit, and get tattoos.

Jess works with adolescent and adult individuals virtually using techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative/Expressive Arts theory, Somatic therapy, and EMDR. By looking at interpersonal neurobiology and attachment, Jess offers clients the opportunity to experience radical hope and joy in an environment affirming disability justice and anti-oppression. Jess approaches clients with curiosity and warmth. It is their hope that clients experience a sense of empowerment and authentic witnessing in the therapeutic relationship that they co-create. Jess asks to get to know the client's inner client and inner teenage parts, and will throw her hopes for you into sessions like small fistfuls of sparkling confetti and sunlight. An ideal client would be those what (1) are queer, autistic, and/or traumatized, (2) have had awful experiences in therapy, and (3) do not yet know their own inherent power, importance, or worth. Jess also enjoys supporting families in finding new ways of connecting to each other and the world - especially when parents are willing to do the hard work of breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. When not working with clients, Jess is nourished by gardening, poems, walks with the dogs, stained glass, baking and cooking, being near water, and telling their favorite jokes.

Jim sees adult clients both in person and virtually. Jim has a passion for supporting all people to live happier lives and specializes in helping men address anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationships, and career challenges. Jim uses eclectic therapeutic approaches to tailor care to his clients, and centers therapy on Psychodynamic, Narrative, Person-Centered, Existential, and trauma-focused approaches. Jim has experience working with LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS communities. To assist in the change process, Jim encourages you to examine past experiences and traumas as the basis for current adaptive and maladaptive coping as well as perceptions and thoughts in the present that get in the way of your growth.

Lexi looks to bring genuine warmth, care, and connection to sessions as well as humor, authenticity, and empathetic directness. Lexi believes in approaching one’s wounds and struggles with compassionate curiosity and remaining open to the idea that healing is a life long journey of evolving over and over again as we navigate the many seasons of our lives. Lexi believes strongly in the power of the therapeutic relationship and it is what fuels her deep passion to walk alongside people in their toughest moments. Lexi’s prior experience in the mental health field helps inform her practice and has led to her ability to establish a strong therapeutic rapport with her clients. Lexi strives to always work from a social justice, feminist, and anti-oppression lens and feels strongly that the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative partnership in which the client always knows their lived experience best. When not in session or studying, Lexi enjoys snuggling with her dog Franklin, connecting with her friends and chosen family, and cuddling up with a good book. Lexi is one of our Interns. She is able to see clients for pro bono sessions under the supervision of our clinical supervisor.

Alyssa sees individuals, couples, and families of all ages for both in-person and virtual counseling. Alyssa utilizes Adlerian, expressive art therapy, feminist, CBT, person-centered, and Narrative therapy approaches. Their work focuses on LGBTQ+ identity, gender identity, Trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and body positivity. They are experienced as an art therapist with a focus on processing through the use of art. Their hope is to provide the skills and knowledge to overcome struggle and find autonomy and power. When not practicing therapy, Alyssa is traveling, hiking with their Dalmatians, cooking, and hanging out with their partner of 10 years.

Maddie sees adolescent and adult individuals, as well as couples, and families virtually. Maddie uses Client-centered, Cognitive Behavioral, and Relational-Cultural approaches when working with clients, with sessions having a laid-back, comfortable, non-judgmental vibe. Maddie enjoys working with teens and young adults, helping them heal and grow through life challenges. In her spare time, Maddie makes jewelry, spends time with family, hangs out with her cat, and enjoys taking walks.

M offers therapy to individuals and couples virtually. Their main areas of interest include gender identity, disability/illness, neuroemergence, sexuality and relationships (including non-monogamy, kink, and sex work), and supporting other therapists and academics. M is a feminist therapist, and their approach is insight, depth, and systems oriented. They’re influenced by critical theory, liberation psychology, existentialist and contemplative philosophy, and harm reduction. In sessions, they are curious, genuine, and tender-hearted with a sense of humor. M is very down-to-earth and easygoing, but they are direct and won’t shy away from difficult topics. They love stories, metaphors, and riddles, and they use literature, somatics, and expressive arts to supplement their work. In their free time, you can often find M curled up with a book or word games and their 2 Siamese rescue cats. They enjoy baking, geocaching, slow fashion, dance, concerts, art crawls, and Roadside America.

Tina sees adolescent and adult clients both virtually and in person. She is open to counseling individuals and couples. Working with clients to provide a safe, accepting, and nurturing environment to promote healing, change, and growth, Tina uses techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy to guide clients through self-discovery and realization. Tina welcomes clients of any gender and sexual identity to create self-awareness and coping mechanisms for anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief and loss, and trauma. She provides an affirming counseling style, offering emotional support and validation of feelings with a sprinkle of sarcasm, silliness, and humor. When Tina is not providing therapy, she enjoys traveling, reading, going to see Marvel movies, and losing Monopoly games to her nephews.