Our Therapists

BYCS is now accepting clients for pro-bono, no cost services with Master’s Level Intern, Beckett Coleman, BFA!

Sandra M. Pattinato, MEd, LPC (she/her)

A woman with long dark hair smiling at the camera at a restaurant during a carnival event on June 17, 2025, themed Carnival Conquest at the Monet Dining Room.

  • Hi, I’m Sandra, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I truly believe that we all have the capacity for personal growth and transformation—it’s something we’re all capable of with the right support and guidance. Outside of the therapy room, I find joy in the simple things: spending time in nature, growing healthy vegetables in my garden, and walking my three wonderful dogs.

  • In our work together, I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and empowered. Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, and I believe healing begins with a strong, trusting connection. I use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. These therapeutic tools help us identify unhelpful patterns, strengthen coping skills, and build practical strategies for lasting emotional wellness. Each session is tailored to your unique needs and goals, and we move at a pace that feels comfortable and collaborative, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

  • I provide individual therapy for adults ages 18 and older who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and adjustment-related challenges. If you’re looking for a therapist who offers compassionate, client-centered care and evidence-based support, we may be a good fit. I strive to create a space where you feel truly heard, understood, and supported as we work through life transitions, emotional overwhelm, and personal growth.

    I am passionate about helping adults build effective coping skills, strengthen emotional resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence. Through authentic, supportive connection and collaborative therapy, my goal is to help you create meaningful, lasting change in your mental health and overall well-being.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Mondays: 10AM-5PM, virtual only

    • Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 9AM-6PM, in-person and virtual

    Unfortunately, I am not accepting new clients at this time.

  • I accept the following insurance plans:

    • UPMC

    • Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Anthem

    • Aetna

    • United Health/Optum

    • Cigna

    • Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO): Allegheny County Medicaid

    • Carelon: Washington, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland County Medicaid

    • Highmark Wholecare Medicare

    • Optum Medicare

    • Medicare

    • Self-pay

Danielle Hammitt, MS, NCC, LPC (she/her)

Close-up of a woman with long curly hair wearing a floral shirt, smiling in front of a mosaic tile background.

  • Hello, I am going to be honest, writing this bio was a little difficult because I as most of know it can be difficult to write about oneself but here goes!! I love animals and currently own two cats and one horse. I have a minor in music and like to watch old musicals and TV shows. In the summer I like to swim and in the winter I like to snow tube. 

  • I typically like to dive right in, get to know my clients, and what they are struggling with. We can begin working on things right away or I can adapt and take a slower approach if you prefer. We will begin building rapport and I will learn what is important to you.

    I feel you are the expert of your life therefore I feel it is important to hear you tell your story. This is how I will discover thought and behavioral patterns that could be potential areas of need. I will help promote positive thinking patterns, increase self-esteem, and combat irrational/overthinking habits.

    My clients can expect an elevation in mood by having a safe environment to unload their burdens. I will provide positive, honest, and non judgmental reflections to help facilitate change.

  • I work with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, substance use, addiction, trauma, eating disorders, social anxiety, mood disorders, and personality disorders. I feel my strengths lie in treating adults struggling with boundary issues, poor communication, unhealthy coping skills, and anger management concerns.

    Everyone is unique and experiences life differently from their own perspective. Therefore I don’t use just one method or intervention with my clients. I use a variety of evidence-based interventions including Person Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused and Mindfulness Therapy.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Monday-Thursday: 9AM-7PM, virtual only

    • Friday-Saturday: 9AM-4PM, in-person and virtual

    • I am accepting new clients!

  • I accept the following insurance plans:

    • UPMC

    • Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Aetna

    • United Health/Optum

    • Cigna

    • Anthem

    • Medicare

    • Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO): Allegheny County Medicaid

    • Carelon: Washington, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland County Medicaid

    • Self-pay

A smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a black top, against a plain neutral background.

Beckett Coleman, BFA, Counseling Intern (she/her

  • Greetings! I am a person of many backgrounds and a traveler of myriad roads. Therapy work is a later career transition for me, and one I wished I had done sooner. But tis better to discover such things later than not at all. Before my therapy work, I completed my BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design and taught students artistic disciplines for an academic year before realizing that didn’t quite fit. I have had a few other careers as well but none of them ever felt right. I can say with conviction that I am finally where I need to be. I bring a lot of life experience to my work and sessions and enjoy connecting with others through my vast and varied catalog of adventures, mistakes, and redemption arcs.

    When not engaged in the required amount of ‘adulting’ each day and making sure my children’s needs are met, I very much enjoy spending time with friends playing tabletop board games and role-playing games. Anything to get friends together in a space and engage each other away from electronic screens. Though I do admit that when real life social interaction is not available, I do love a good Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game. In my time I also enjoy tennis, rock climbing, fishing, and bowling. I hope to find out what this pickleball stuff is all about as well.

    My short-term life goals are to graduate with my Master’s degree and get a puppy. Not necessarily in that order.  

  • Trust and communication. Those are the two biggest things for me. Meaningful growth is difficult if we do not have those two things. It is my goal to cultivate both of those with you. I want to help you achieve whatever you desire in our time together. I can be a cheerleader, a confidant, or a friendly ear, but my favorite roles are collaborator and facilitator. I don’t want to solve your concerns for you, but help you develop or further hone the tools and skill sets already within yourself so that you can achieve your desires every day, not just on therapy day.

    I am generally direct, open, and honest. I have also been accused a few times of being analytical and logical, but don’t tell anyone.

    I get such fulfillment from helping others and reveling in their successes. We will craft our sessions together for the needs at hand, but if allowed, we may have some very direct and very raw conversations as I feel that sometimes those can be the most productive for certain goals.

  • I am a member of the LGBTQ+ population and do enjoy working with those individuals. I would also be interested in working with individuals and couples struggling with gender issues. I also have a warm place in my heart for couples who desire to stay together whilst trying to navigate a partner’s transition. Support for partners of transitioning individuals is an area that needs substantial growth and I would be overjoyed to support that population.

    That being said, I am pleased to work with most anyone. I have lived in and navigated a number of different roles in my life and feel I can relate and bring value to our sessions across a wide spectrum. I am happy to work with individuals regardless of who they might be or what labels society places upon them. I would prefer to work with clients who are 14+ but exceptions can certainly be made if we are a good fit. 

    I am currently obtaining my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University. During my time in this program, I have resonated with several modalities, which include Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Reality Therapy, and Existentialism. I particularly enjoy Logotherapy which is under the umbrella of Existentialism.

    I assure you my approach is a tailored ‘salad bar’, so to speak. The jargon term is ‘eclectic’ and basically means you use what works for the client as opposed to being locked into a particular framework. Adaptability is one of the things I strive for in sessions with clients.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Mondays, 1-6, virtual only

    • Tuesdays 10-4, in-person and virtual

    • Wednesdays, 10-7, in-person and virtual

    • Thursdays, 10-4, in-person and virtual

  • As I am a student intern, I am providing services pro-bono (no cost!), I do not accept insurance. Even if you have insurance and would prefer pro bono, I am able to accommodate!

Kelly McCall, MS, LPC (she/they)

A smiling person with long brown hair, wearing glasses and a light-colored top, in a warmly lit indoor setting.

  • Outside of my therapist role, I like to spend time with my family, friends, and cats. I also enjoy watching new episodes of my favorite shows and doing something creative such as writing and collaging. 

  • Our therapy sessions are yours and you get to decide how we spend our time. I like to check in on how things have been since we last met, as well as explore what feels helpful to focus on that day. I’ll assist you through processing, learning helpful skills, and taking steps toward your goals. Humor, when appropriate, can also be a very helpful part of therapy and healing, so don’t be surprised if you find us sharing a laugh during our sessions!

  • I work individually with adults of all ages who are experiencing mental health symptoms related to depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I have experience working with clients from many different backgrounds and life situations, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re wanting to work on improving your mental health symptoms, navigating life transitions, or just having a space to process, I may be a good fit for you! 

  • I offer virtual only sessions on the following days:

    • Mondays: 9AM-5PM

    • Fridays: 9AM-5PM

    Starting on Monday, 3/9/2026, I am accepting new clients. Available openings is as follows:

    • Every week or biweekly Fridays at 3PM and 4PM

    • Biweekly Mondays at 10AM, 11AM, and 12PM

    • Biweekly Tuesdays at 4PM

  • I accept the following insurance plans:

    • UPMC

    • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Aetna

    • United Health/Optum

    • Cigna

    • Anthem

    • Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO): Allegheny County Medicaid

    • Carelon: Washington, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland County Medicaid

    • Self-pay

Abbagail Kitzmiller, MS, NCC, Pre-Licensed Counselor (she/her)

A young woman with wavy blonde hair and light skin, smiling, wearing a black top, gold hoop earrings, layered necklaces, and an orange scrunchie in her hair, standing in front of a wooden wall.

  • As a part of therapy we want to get to also know our therapist! I am a person of many hobbies such as being outdoors, reading, traveling, and crafting. I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family, and my awesome dog. I love living in the city of Pittsburgh as I am not originally from this area. I love adventuring and finding cool places to eat, as well as fun things to do. I am always down for an adventure!

  • When in therapy I like to take the time to build a strong relationship with my client. In order to process everyday life, you need to have that trust with your therapist which is very important to me. It is very important to have an outlet to talk to and someone to just listen with no judgement. I want you to feel open to talk about whatever is on your mind, while also getting support at the same time.

  • I specialize in working individually with adults experiencing depression and anxiety, adjusting to major and minor change, processing trauma, building relationships with others as well as yourself, mindfulness, and boundary setting. I like therapy to be something that you enjoy coming to every session and even look forward to going.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, virtual only

    • Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, in-person

    Unfortunately, I am not accepting new clients at this time.

  • I am a Master’s Level clinician under supervision of Sandra Pattinato, MEd, LPC. I am currently seeing clients Pro-Bono (no cost) as I obtain hours for my clinical license (LPC).

Michael Hess, MSW, LCSW (he/him)

A man with glasses and a mustache smiling outdoors, leaning on a wooden railing with green foliage in the background.

  • Hi, my name is Mike. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been practicing for a little under a decade. I pursued this field for the opportunity to connect, assist, and join with others in their recovery journey. I spend a lot of time (not enough according to her) with my silver lab, Arya, on walks and fetch. As a Pittsburgh native, I continue to enjoy exploring the city with friends and family. I try to bring a sense of humor and gratitude to each day and each moment.

  • Above all, therapy should be effective and useful for the person seeking treatment. Our sessions will be grounded in honesty, collaboration, and practical change. Time unpacking and processing experiences will be balanced with a focus on change and skills. You can expect a direct but supportive space where we work together to understand what’s getting in the way and how to move forward. I’ll challenge you when needed but always with respect, and your goals in mind. Therapy is a team effort—you bring your insight and effort, and I’ll bring evidence-based tools, perspective, and genuine care. You are the expert in your experience, and we will seek to bring that wisdom forward into every day practice.

  • I work with adults across ages and backgrounds. I have experience addressing depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, interpersonal conflicts, bipolar disorder, adjustment concerns, and trauma. Modalities I focus on are dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response prevention, and acceptance commitment therapy. Change and recovery can often be an uncomfortable experience. My goal is to cultivate a space of compassion and honesty where individuals can navigate this difficult path with grace.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Mondays, 5:30PM-9PM

    • Tuesdays, 5:30PM-9PM

    • Thursdays, 5:30PM-9PM

    I am accepting new clients!

  • I accept the following insurance plans:

    • United Health/Optum

    • Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Self-pay

    • More insurances coming soon!

Stevie Gorsuch, LCSW, C-DBT (they/them)

Jason

Frola,

LPC

(he/him)

  • I am a Licensed Professional Counselor experienced in working with adolescents and adults. My background in mental health Service Coordination has provided me with a strong knowledge of system services, allowing me to assist individuals in accessing additional supports which might benefit them. This background has also provided me with a strong sense of social justice, which drives me to help those I serve to become great self advocates.  

  • Our sessions should be a balanced combination of you directing the course of care, and me offering course guidance to help maintain our focus. You determine what topics we focus on; while I support and challenge when needed, to allow for honest insight and progress. Structured exercises can also be a great means of skill building. I believe that people often already have the answers to help themselves through life's problems, and the interventions used in sessions serve as a nurturance of realizing one's potential.  

  • I work with adults and adolescents (ages 14 and up) on issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, grief, and life transitions. I also have experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

    I utilize approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, along with elements of mindfulness and Existential Therapy. My approach incorporates modalities that borrow from the principles of both Eastern and Western philosophy, which I find useful in addressing the contradictions and absurdities of life, finding meaning that is both profound and practical. 

  • Mondays (in-person or virtual): 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM   

    Thursdays (in-person or virtual): 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM   

    Fridays (virtual only): 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • United Health/Optum

    UPMC

    Highmark

    Self pay

    More insurances coming soon

A smiling woman with short, light brown hair, wearing a blue patterned shirt and a cream-colored scarf, stands against a light-colored background.

  • I’m an LCSW who helps people reclaim who they are beneath survival strategies, shame, and expectations. My work is grounded in compassion, clarity, and deep curiosity about what makes each person feel most alive. I’m certified in DBT and weave in ACT and motivational interviewing to support healing and meaningful change. I am also fully EMDR trained. I bring experience in running groups and am open to family or couples therapy if I assess that I would be an appropriate fit.

    Outside of sessions, I’m a writer, parent, and someone who used to want to be an astronaut—and still kind of does. I’m also neurodivergent and queer, and I know firsthand how powerful it can be to have a space where all parts of you feel welcome. I love jigsaw puzzles, road trips with a good playlist that you can sing along to, and deep conversations that go off track in the best possible way.

  • Sessions with me are a blend of warmth, depth, and straightforward support. I focus on building trust so you feel safe to explore what’s real—no matter how messy or uncertain it feels. My role is to help you figure out what healing looks like for you—not tell you what it should be. I don’t expect you to have it all figured out—I just care that you’re willing to start. You can expect a mix of practical skills, emotional processing, and radical acceptance, all tailored to your needs. I’ll challenge patterns that keep you stuck, but I’ll do it with compassion, humor, and the belief that healing can be collaborative.

  • I enjoy working with:

    • Adolescents

    • Folx in the LGBTQIA+ or queer communities

    • Neurodivergent individuals

    • People navigating perinatal or postpartum transitions

    • Anyone dealing with stress, overwhelm, or feeling “too much”

    If you’re trying to figure out who you are outside of survival mode—or you just want a space where you don’t have to explain yourself all the time—you might feel comfortable here. I also work with couples and families if I believe I’m the right fit for your needs.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions on the following days:

    • Tuesdays: 10AM–12PM, 1PM–4PM, and 6PM–8PM

    • Wednesdays: 9AM–12, 1PM–4PM, and 6PM–8PM

    • Thursdays: 9AM–12PM, 3PM–4PM, and 6PM–8PM

    • Occasional Saturday appointments are available

    Unfortunately, I am not accepting new clients at this time and have a waitlist for new virtual clients. Please reach out to be added!

  • I accept the following insurance plans:

    • UPMC

    • Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Aetna

    • United Health/Optum

    • Cigna

    • Anthem

    • Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (CCBHO): Allegheny County Medicaid

    • Carelon: Washington, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland County Medicaid

    • Medicare Plans A & B

    • UPMC for Life Medicare

    • Highmark Wholecare Medicare

    • Optum Medicare

    • Self-pay

Connect with one of our therapists to become your Better You!