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 with more than15 years of experience in the field. My core belief is that we all possess the capacity for personal growth and change, often requiring guidance and support along the way.
My primary passion lies in providing therapy to adults facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, family conflicts, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual, I tailor my therapeutic approach to align with your specific goals. I am committed to honoring your cultural and social background, including factors such as ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.
In my practice, I draw upon a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These approaches empower my clients to develop healthy coping strategies and drive positive changes in their lives.
I have also facilitated Anger Management groups for both adults and adolescents, as well as supported individuals on their early recovery journey through drug and alcohol recovery.
I am fluent in Portuguese, and I accept all major commercial health insurances, as well as CCBH/Medicaid, making mental health support more accessible to those who seek it.
Meet Danielle Hammitt, MS, NCC, LPC
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 , Optum/United Healthcare and Aetna insurances, as well as CCBH/Medicaid.
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, as well as CCBH/Medicaid.
Meet Kelly McCall, MS, LPC
Life can throw all kinds of things at us. Even when we are prepared, it can be helpful to meet with a trained professional to process through the unexpected, difficult situations and the everyday stressors we are experiencing. I am a licensed professional counselor, who has worked, mainly, with adults experiencing a variety of mental health symptoms, dual diagnoses, and those just looking for some guidance with life goals. I generally pull from CBT and DBT frameworks, but would describe my therapeutic style as eclectic and person-centered. If you don't know what any of these words or phrases mean, no worries! I can explain these treatment methods when we speak over the phone for an initial conversation about your goals with therapy.
You deserve to have a safe space to share and process and I would be honored to walk along side you. Give me a call for a 15-minute phone consultation or send me an email and we can discuss further.
Meet Abbagail Kitzmiller
Hello everyone, my name is Abbagail Kitzmiller and I am currently pre-licensed at Better You Counseling Services. I have a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from California University of Pennsylvania (Also now known as Penn West). I have around 4 years experience working in outpatient mental health. I work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar, and BPD. I also have experience working with those who have experienced trauma. I am currently taking only cash clients at this time but will be taking insurance in the future once I am licensed. Some of the things i enjoy are spending time with my family, my dog, doing things outdoors, and doing anything craft related. Reach out to me if you would like to think about scheduling with me. I would love to be a part in your healing journey.
Meet Alicia Haley, LCSW
Hello and welcome! I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing psychotherapy for over 10 years. My approach to therapy is supportive and nurturing, but direct. I explore ways we can gently hold ourselves accountable to create the changes we want to make in life or come to terms with aspects of our life we cannot change or control. I have a wide range of clinical experience and training. I specialize in CBT, behavioral, goal-oriented, and solution-focused therapies, but utilize a variety of treatment modalities including DBT, ACT, as well as incorporating social rhythms work into the therapeutic process. By drawing upon various treatment approaches, I am able to provide specialized and individualistic care to meet you where you are at in the process of healing and change. Whether you hope to better manage symptoms; learn coping skills and strategies; have support navigating life stressors, changes, and transitions; or processing life experiences, I am here to help. We can navigate and work through these situations together.
Meet Stevie Gorsuch, LCSW, C-DBT
Pronouns: they/them/xe/xir
I am a compassionate and adaptive Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) therapist specializing in supporting individuals aged 15–65 as they navigate borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, life transitions, pregnancy, postpartum depression, and identity-related challenges. My integrative approach combines techniques from DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and soon, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This flexibility allows me to meet you exactly where you are, offering tailored support that meets your unique needs.
At the heart of my practice is a person-centered approach. I believe that you already have the answers you’re seeking within yourself. Together, we’ll work to navigate the stressors, shame, and societal expectations that may be obscuring those answers, uncovering your inner wisdom and guiding you toward clarity and growth.
Whether you’re seeking practical coping skills, a safe space to reflect, a bit of humor, or a mix of it all, I’m here to provide what resonates with you most. I emphasize self-compassion and radical acceptance—core principles of DBT—while incorporating ACT to help you clarify your values, increase flexibility, and align your life with what matters most to you. Additionally, I use MI to help you tap into your own strengths and motivations, empowering you to take meaningful action steps toward change.
My goal is to help you confront fears, challenge shame, and uncover the inner strength that already exists within you. Together, we’ll work at your pace to build resilience, break through barriers, and create meaningful, lasting change.
If you’re ready to take the first step, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Meet Cait Carpico, LPC
Getting older and slowly realizing that you're struggling but keeping the ship afloat for everyone else. Talking with your family and dealing with the emotional hangover of realizing how messed up that comment was. Buying yourself into debt and realizing that all this stuff doesn't actually make you happy. Don't go through this alone, because you are not! Life is complicated, and growing up with family who are emotionally immature, suffer from addiction, trauma, or severe mental illness can be a lifelong journey of discovering yourself, healing, and learning to thrive.
I help people who are seeking to change the way they live, find out what they really want, and stop trying to save or please everyone else. Prior to working with Better You, I practiced in a hospital system with people aged 5 to 75, helping people with diagnoses across the DSM. I use techniques from CBT, ACT, IFS, IPT, and Attachment Theory.
I believe in transparency in my approach, so therapy will never feel mysterious or intimidating. Therapy is most effective when you feel your therapist is the right personality fit and has the training to meet your needs. I provide 15-minute phone consultations to assess your needs and give you the opportunity to ask questions before scheduling.
