My services include counseling children, teens, couples, individuals and families.   I listen without judgement. I respect each person as a human being.  Counseling is not just about relief from emotional and mental pain. I will help you find relief. I will also assist you in living an extraordinary life. NEVER settle for ordinary. Strive for extraordinary.

Join me in my office for private, confidential counseling at your convenience. I have evening hours. Or use distance video counseling as described below.  Since I must be licensed to practice counseling in the state in which you are, I can only do distance counseling if you live in Pennsylvania.

Counseling Services

Individual Counseling

Get to the source of your anxiety, stress, depression, or emotional challenge with individual counseling.

Start living the life you were meant to live.

We’ll meet one-on-one in a safe, caring, and confidential setting. Here, we’ll integrate the best tools of cognitive behavior therapy to dig into the cause of your suffering. Then, we’ll apply the ground-breaking methods of EFT (tapping) to release your pain and fears and to step into a life of joy and freedom.

Individual counseling sessions use a holistic approach, assessing and healing your emotion, mental, and spiritual health. Along the way, your physical health may improve as we eliminate the stress and worry that often causes disease and pain.

I have treated patients with countless conditions including anxiety, depression, OCD, hair pulling, skin picking, PTSD, trauma, anger, phobias, fear. My holistic approach to individual counseling works, if you are ready for change.

Let’s diagnose and release your emotional disruptions and sabotaging thoughts and choices.

It’s time to stop coping and to start living.

Family & Child Counseling

Children and teens are very special clients.  I work with parents of young children to teach strategies that have been shown to release stress and anxiety and very specific techniques for hair pulling.  I recommend nutrition, low to no sugar and fish oil to that can balance the nervous system.  Medication for children and teens is a last resort.  There are so many strategies and techniques that can release anxiety, depression, body focused repetitive behaviors and obsessive compulsive disorders.  Children on the autism spectrum respond well to Brain Gym, energy tapping, breathing techniques and earthing mats.  I enjoy working with families to help resolve mental health issues and bring balance to families. Please note that both parents must sign the Consent to Treatment form for their minor children. In a separation or divorce situation the non custodial parent may print out, sign their child’s name on the line indicated, sign their name and fax consent to me at 724-942-5479.  IF a custodial parent has documentation that they may make all medical decisions then the non custodial parent does not need to sign the Consent to Treatment form.

Virtual Counseling

I use Zoom to meet with you through your computer. It is secure and HIPAA compliant.

I am ready to help you whether it is an individual meeting or you wish to bring others into a psychotherapy session.   Technology allows us to meet from the comfort of your home or office.  We must meet first in my brick and mortar office for the evaluation of your problem. Then we can meet via tele-counseling as long as you are in Pennsylvania. This is especially helpful for students when they go on to college.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield supports tele-counseling.

If you have mental health benefits under Highmark, tele-counseling is covered. You are responsible for your co-payment or deductible just as for a regular office session.

Treatment Specialties

Trichotillomania: Hair Pulling & Dermatillonia: Skin Picking

I stopped pulling out my hair in 1989. I have been helping children, teens and adults stop pulling hair and picking skin since 1994 when I became a licensed professional counselor. Trichotillomania and dermatillomania are body focused repetitive behaviors. They regulate emotions and help to soothe when we are upset, overwhelmed, bored or stressed. I consider pulling and picking to be addictions. The treatment is completely difference from obsessive compulsive disorders. Healing from an addiction is work. It can be done. I can teach you strategies intended to help you let go of the urges and counseling for the shame and depression and family stress that come with trich and picking. I can teach your loved ones or parents how they can help you so anger and frustration are removed. Check out my Facebook page: Secrets of Hair Pulling, Skin Picking and Anxiety. For the most up to date information go to www.bfrb.org

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

People have many subtypes from mental to behavioral compulsions to avoiding situations that trigger OCD. I am a graduate of the first Behavior Therapy Institute in 1996 from the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Foundation, IOCDF. I know exposure and response prevention. I have treated 1000’s of individuals and families with trichotillomania, dermatillomania and OCD. I started the local affiliate for the IOCDF in Pittsburgh in 2000. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. I also recommend visiting Beyond OCD.org for a wealth of information.

Emotional Freedom Techniques

Emotional Freedom Techniques are based in traditional Chinese medicine. EFT combines cognitive behavior therapy with the same system used in acupuncture but we don’t use needles.  Instead of needles we tap on the acupoints or the end points of the meridians (the energy pathways of the human body).  While tapping we say phrases specific to the problem we are working on.  Emotional Freedom Techniques are used worldwide to relieve physical, emotional and psychological pain.  Note:  Emotional Freedom Techniques is not a replacement for medical treatment. Consult with a physician or health care provider if you are in physical distress. I am proud to be certified in the Gold Standard of Emotional Freedom Techniques through the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology.

Purchase & Schedule Sessions

Before you purchase, please download and read Joan’s Consulting Agreement.

3 Session Package

3 Sessions (60 minutes each)
$495

7 Session Package

7 Sessions (60 minutes each)
$995

Single Session

1 Session (60 minutes)
$195

Consulting fees for services provided to people living outside of Pennsylvania are not covered by insurance.

For those living in Pennsylvania, Joan does not take Medical Assistance, UPMC for You, UPMC for LIfe, or Medicare.

Other Services

Online Store

Nutritional Supplements, Essential Oils and

common questions

Therapy is a therapeutic relationship of trust.   Therapy is safe and confidential. I practice mind body methods such as cognitive behavior therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques ie EFT/tapping to help you release fear, trauma, self-sabotaging thinking and negative beliefs that keep you stuck.

Each session is one hour, unless agreed to prior to the session.  

I take Blue Cross Blue Shield. Always check to make sure your plan includes mental health coverage for outpatient counseling and what your financial liability is.

I do not take medical assistance, medical or other insurance plans.

Weekly therapy is preferred depending on the problem. As you reach treatment goals bi weekly and monthly check ins are helpful.  

Therapy can last one time or a lifetime depending on what you want to work on. If you want to dive deep therapy will take a while.  I have clients that I have worked with for 20 years or 1 month.  Just like we need to have our physical health checked it is vital to get emotional health checked as well.  Mental and emotional health is just as important as our physical health.

Everything discussed in sessions is confidential EXCEPT if you tell me you are a danger to yourself or others or you know of a child or elderly person in danger. In these situations, counseling is not confidential for your safety of yourself or others. The other exception is if you sign a release of information giving me permission to talk with another health care provider. 

You will be able to schedule your appointment when you make your purchase above.  Or you can call me at 724-413-0964 or message me on the contact page.

The cost of therapy depends on what your insurance pays. Your financial liability is your copayment, deductible and/or coinsurance.  If you do not have insurance or one that I accept my fee is $150.00 per session. 

A therapist is right for you if you feel safe discussing the most intimate details of your life and are ready to be completely honest.  It is your right to interview therapists. That may mean meeting several therapists to “interview” them. You may not be able to do this over the phone.

Plan to meet with several therapists to see who is most qualified and experienced to help you. How many clients have they treated with your problem? What is their approach? Do not be afraid too leave a therapist who is not helpful. If you are not making progress in 3 months you are not with the right therapist.

My physical office in Washington County, southwest Pennsylvania.  157 Waterdam Road, Suite 260, McMurray, PA 15317.  I see clients throughout Pennsylvania through Zoom.  As long as you live in Pennsylvania we can meet. You are always welcome to come to my office after Covid19 decreases. I am currently doing only virtual counseling through Zoom.

Disclaimer for my psychotherapy & counseling practice.