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Alyssa Strausser MS LPC

Hi there! I’m so grateful you’ve found me! My name’s Alyssa and I’m a mental health therapist here at The Counseling Collective. If you’re reading this, you’ve decided to begin the process of identifying a therapist that could be a great fit for you. My goal is to make therapy a safe and comfortable environment for you to share struggles you’re experiencing, help you find your voice, and grow confidence to make healthy life decisions. Therapy with me is a journey that we take together and at your pace. I enjoy looking at this process from the lens of being in an ocean where you and I are on a life raft, trying to navigate the sometimes choppy and calm waters. Along this journey, we see that the only path to take is forward as there is a peaceful island where you get to enjoy happiness and feelings of fulfillment. Though there are obstacles we must often navigate, I remain determined to work alongside you to craft the oars that will help guide you to a life of joy.

I specialize in working with teens and adults who experience anxiety and depression, often related to traumatic experiences in their life. I also have experience working with more serious mental health concerns, like Bipolar Disorder. Trauma and serious mental health issues may cause individuals to become disconnected from everyday life. It is my hope to utilize and practice a variety of mindfulness techniques for you to remain grounded and bring you back to the present moment. I use these skills as I find it is highly important to keep a strong connection between your mind and body. I focus my techniques from a Person-Centered Approach, which means I aim to meet you where you are in life and work as a team for you to achieve personal goals. I believe my straightforward approach combined with being my true authentic self creates a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients. I also implement DBT informed skills that aim to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships with others, and balance acceptance with change. Additionally, as a professional, I understand the effects of stress and burnout and how it can negatively impact your daily functioning. With that being said, let’s work together to develop coping strategies that work for you to reduce your stress and prevent burnout!

I grew up in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and have lived near Pittsburgh since 2013 while I completed my undergraduate education at Penn State in human development and Family Studies. I then attended California University of Pennsylvania where I received a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, I decided it was time to move closer to home in order to continue with my passion of helping others. I enjoy spending time kayaking, fishing, and attending dirt track races on the weekends in the summer. I look forward to learning more about you and working together to help you feel like yourself again!