Meet The Team
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” –Paulo Coelho
Meet Sandra M. Pattinato, MEd, LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have been working in the field for 15 years. I believe we all have the capacity to change and grow, and that we possess the skills to do so. Sometimes, we need someone to guide us through this transformation.
My passion is providing therapy for adults struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Each person I see is unique, so I individualize my approach based on your goals. Treatment will be tailored to your cultural and social background, including ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.
I draw from CBT, DBT, Person-centered background and Motivational Interviewing Therapy to help my clients develop healthy coping strategies to make positive changes in their lives.
I have also led an Anger Management group for adults and adolescents, as well as an early recovery Drug and Alcohol Recovery group for adults.
I am fluent in Portuguese, and I accept all major commercial health insurances.
Meet Susan Cononge, MA, NCC, LPC
Susan is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working in the counseling field since 2018. She completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Waynesburg University in 2018 and Bachelor of Science from Univeristy of Pittsburgh in 1999. Susan is passionate about her work in the mental health and addiction fields. She believes what happens early in life affects us later and supports individuals in a non-judgmental, supportive environment to promote the ability to process and heal. She uses an eclectic approach, calling on client centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and psycho-education when working with clients.
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Susan has worked with a variety of individuals with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, boundary issues and anger issues. She has also worked in dual diagnosis agency settings.
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Accepting all major commercial health insurances.
Meet Danielle Hammitt, MS, NCC
Hello, how can I help??
Danielle is a Licensed Professional COunselor. She attended California University of Pennsylvania for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has a minor in music. Danielle has experience in crisis, drug and alcohol, and mental health counseling including in person, Telehealth, and group platforms.
Danielle believes everyone is unique and needs to develop skills that work for each individual. She uses a solution focused approach to meet you where you are and assess underlying causes.
Danielle also draws from multiple theories and techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectal behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to help you feel better and work towards your goals.
Danielle is now accepting clients who have UPMC, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna and Optum/United Healthcare insurances.
Whether you are experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, PTSD, or just struggling to adjust to life’s challenges, Danielle is here to help!!!
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Meet Vanessa Neel, MSed, NCC, LPC
As a Licensed Professional Counselor it is my priority to help my clients identify what’s holding them
back from making the changes they want to make and help them work towards their goals more
effectively. I work with a variety of issues including but not limited to relationship issues, anxiety,
depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, substance use disorders, and addiction. I use a
collaborative, person-centered approach to counseling and strive to always create a safe space for self-
exploration and understanding.
Meet Catherine Ferguson, MA, LPC, LCPC, CCTP-1
I will be honest, which is something I always strive to be, writing a blurb to attract others for therapy services is difficult. You may ask, “Why? Aren’t you looking for business?” While I can’t argue that, my reason is somewhat unconventional in the therapy world, I identify as a human first and a therapist second. I have found that when you take the personality and humanness out of the therapist, there is no true therapeutic connection and trust from the client. I’ve learned to combine my two identities through my conversational yet professional style and belief that therapy is most effective when presenting oneself as the client does-as a person with a unique past and personality that can inhibit, or prohibit, what they want for themselves.
I am am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional 1 (CCTP-1) and completed an Integrative Somatic Trauma Training certificate course. Somatic psychotherapy focuses on how the mind and body work either work together or against-another. During work with clients, I utilize different mind-body techniques for trauma and anxiety that incorporate how the nervous system plays a role traumatic processing. Treatment modalities include EMDR, Polyvagal Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, IFS, mindfulness, and physical movement. My passion is to assist clients in recognizing how their psychosomatic symptoms have been impacting their bodies, with the ultimate goal of reconnection towards themselves as a whole.
I have served those experiencing chronic mental health issues including PTSD, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and psychosomatic issues. No matter the setting or presenting problem, my goal is to be transparent and human as well as to provide support and understanding.
It’d be my pleasure to serve as both your guide and companion on your journey to wellness!
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I accept all major commercial insurances, and will accept Aetna starting on 06/01/2023.