Therapists for college students near University of Pennsylvania

At this moment, you face one of the most important choices of your life: Is this the moment you closed your browser and settled for what you have? Or is this the moment you reached out for therapy and reclaimed your life? My approach to therapy focuses on developing a positive vision for your life. You can’t just wish for the suffering to end. You need to be bolder. What becomes possible when the suffering ends - what will it mean for you to live a good life? Many struggle with this question. They think they know what they want, but in reality they want what someone else wanted for them. That is why my approach focuses on understanding your true self - your style of perceiving your environment, interacting with the world, and making decisions. As we discover your true self, we will also work on recognizing the existential choices you face as part of the change process and identifying how you can make those choices in alignment with your core values. You have one precious, beautiful, wild life. With every passing moment, that life is getting shorter. You’ve lost too much time to suffering already. If you are ready to change, reach out to me. I am ready to walk with you every step of the way.

At Favored Wellness, we work together toward wellbeing. Our Counseling and Holistic Wellness Services are designed to integrate mind, body & spiritual healing that serve as a foundation in helping our clients reach their individual goals and live out the changes they seek...

I offer primarily neuropsychological assessment to provide diagnostic clarity and to help you better understand how your brain functions. This may help you better understand your own unique way of learning, interacting with others, and handling life's challenges. With that enhanced understanding, you can more effectively take steps to improve your daily functioning and live a better and more fulfilling life. I do offer therapy for individuals dealing primarily with the challenges of life stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. I also have extensive experience working with and helping those struggling with chronic health concerns and head injury related concerns.

I strive to build genuine, non-judgmental relationships using a compassionate and relational style infused with humor. I have training and experience working with clients who have experienced trauma, including traumatic loss, as well as those dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions.

I believe that a strong therapeutic rapport is the heart of meaningful growth in therapy. When we feel truly seen, heard, and understood, we are better able to explore our experiences, reflect on our patterns, and take steps toward change. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, respected, and comfortable to be themselves, no matter what challenges they may be facing. My approach to therapy is person-centered, which means I value each client’s unique perspective and believe that you are the expert of your own life. I work alongside my clients, offering support, guidance, and encouragement as we navigate the journey together. I strive to meet people where they are, honoring their pace while helping them uncover new insights and tools for growth. I hold a Master’s degree in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling and am a Registered Art Therapist. Creativity can be a powerful way to explore feelings and experiences that are difficult to put into words. In sessions, I often incorporate art and the creative process to help clients process emotions, gain clarity, and express themselves in new ways. Whether through drawing, painting, collage, or other forms of artmaking, this approach allows for deeper self-understanding and healing beyond traditional talk therapy. I also bring personal experience to my work, having navigated the loss of my father at a young age. Experiencing grief firsthand has given me a deep understanding of the complexities of loss. This experience informs my approach to grief therapy, allowing me to connect with clients in a compassionate and authentic way. In addition to my art therapy work, I am currently pursuing my Animal-Assisted Therapy Certificate. I am excited to soon integrate my therapy dog-in-training, Bear, into sessions as a comforting and supportive presence. Animals can offer a unique kind of connection and grounding that supports emotional regulation and overall well-being. I have experience working with children, teens, and adults in a variety of settings, including partial hospitalization, inpatient, residential treatment, and outpatient therapy. My specialties include supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and significant life transitions. I am especially passionate about working with clients during times of change—whether it’s starting a new school, transitioning to college, beginning a new career, or navigating changes in relationships or identity. No matter your reason for seeking therapy, my hope is to create an environment where you feel safe to explore your inner world, discover your strengths, and find meaningful ways to move forward.

People are the center of my practice. While I have a wide range of experience and expertise in various techniques, I always take a person-centered approach to therapy. Every individual is unique, and it is important to treat your symptoms, not simply your diagnosis. Sometimes even the most basic and routine challenges of everyday life can seem complex, unpredictable, or even overwhelming. Whether you are suffering from depression, anxiety, grief, or just going through a difficult transition, my goal is to foster a trusting, safe, and confidential environment for you to heal and grow. My philosophy is grounded in self-compassion and connection – that means helping my clients identify their strengths and learn resilience. Together, we can help you navigate life’s struggles and crises, emerging stronger, healthier, and more confident in yourself and your abilities. As a therapist, it is my responsibility to deliver compassionate, safe, and productive therapy that gives people real tools to create sustainable and lasting change in their lives. I believe that people heal most effectively when they feel empowered to regain control of their lives and confidence in themselves. My goal is to help clients create a sense of self-awareness in order to understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Making that first call feels like failing. You have "no time for therapy"--you're already spread thin. You've tried everything, but nothing seems to be working. And even when it does, it's only for a moment. You are ready to feel like you are thriving instead of merely surviving. ...It's a little terrifying to think about diving into the things weighing you down though, right? Ask yourself this (and be honest!): "Can I keep going like I am now? And if I do, what will that look like?" Change occurs when--despite the discomfort and not quite knowing how you'll get there--all you know is you can't keep doing what you're doing. I've been told by many clients that I really hear them. I believe in asking YOU what you'd like to gain from therapy and asking YOU about your goals--not just basing them on a diagnosis. I don't talk *at* you--I talk *with* you. I take a "real" and informal approach. Laughter, making faces or noises are all acceptable ways to express emotions! I welcome you to bring coffee (or water or tea!) and sit wherever you feel comfortable in the room. It doesn't matter your age--you can color or draw, or just sit back and drink your coffee while we chat. I have a laid back style and it's important that my therapy room is a comfortable, relaxing environment. Reach out--let's see if we may be a good fit!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Most people who look at you might never know how much you are struggling. Your pattern of holding it all in, staying busy, or pulling away from others has worked well enough to get you through… till now. Now, it feels more like you’re caught in an endless maze of thoughts and worries, or like there’s a weighted blanket dragging you down. When anxiety or depression are present, everything in life can feel more difficult. I am a trauma-informed therapist specializing in helping you unpack those things that connect your past and present to build a more fulfilling, authentic future. I take a practical and straightforward approach to therapy and am comfortable with discomfort if it means making progress. As your therapist, I will take the time to see things from your point of view. You know your life best, so I will listen and understand. My sessions are open, honest, and thoughtful. Therapy shouldn't be another place where you have to pretend. I will work to understand the real you and use my experience to help you.

Maybe you feel directionless, hopeless, or unfulfilled - maybe you spend a lot of time in your day worrying or holding yourself back from what you really want. You might feel like you’re buckling under the pressure of work, relationships, loss, or other stressful and difficult parts of life. If any of this resonates with you, you’re in the right place - I’m here, and I’m excited to support you! Hi, I’m Jackie - I’m a therapist and licensed social worker (LSW) awaiting licensure finalization! My therapeutic approach is to meet you where you are and help you grow into a healed and happier version of yourself. My therapeutic style is laid back, warm, and eclectic; my top priority is to always provide a space where you feel safe, supported, and heard. I’m currently taking new clients for individual therapy and have immediate openings. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to connect. Email me at jsouza@persoma.com to schedule a free 15-minute virtual consultation so we can chat about your goals and how I can best support you. I’m so glad you’re here - let’s get you feeling better!

My offer to you something is simple and steady: a space where you do not have to perform, impress, or hold it all together. A space where you can exhale. I am especially drawn to working with people in transition especially college students standing on the edge of adulthood and professionalism. Transitions can shake your confidence. They can stir up old shame, old stories, old fears about not being enough. But they are also sacred turning points. They are invitations. Together, we will slow down and tune in. We will examine the narratives you’ve inherited and gently decide which ones no longer serve you. My hope for you is not that you leave therapy “better," but that you leave more fully yourself. I believe healing happens when someone sits with you long enough for you to remember your own strength. I will meet you with depth, honesty, humor and warmth. I will challenge you when needed, celebrate you when earned, and hold the mirror steady when you forget who you are. You do not have to worry alone. Everyone has a story. I look forward to hearing yours.

I truly believe that everyone has the capacity to grow when they’re in a space that feels safe and accepting. At the heart of my work is building a genuine, trusting connection with you—because real healing begins when you feel truly seen, heard, understood, and accepted. Together, we’ll create a warm and welcoming space where vulnerability is embraced and self-exploration feels comfortable. Above all, I’m here to hold space for you with kindness and openness, honoring your unique needs, passions, experiences, wisdom, and hopes for the future. Specializations I’m especially passionate about supporting adults who grew up with caregivers who, for various reasons, may not have met their emotional needs.Together, we work to heal from those early experiences, find your true voice, clarify what matters most to you, and create a life that feels authentic, grounded, and free. I work with clients ages 15 and up to navigate challenges related to: Childhood relational trauma, emotionally immature parents, & unmet emotional needs Relationship patterns, boundaries, people-pleasing, & guilt Exploring identity, values, & personal growth Identity diffusion & enmeshment Shame, self-doubt, & indecisiveness Life transitions & emerging adulthood Grief & loss Anxiety, depression, & low self-worth Emotional regulation & distress tolerance Could We be a Good Fit? Clients who tend to do well with me often appreciate a little lightheartedness or humor during our sessions and enjoy putting what we talk about into practice between meetings—sometimes through small homework or weekly goals. Many have found it helpful to bring their creative interests into our work, which helps us build a space where you can feel safe, inspired, and free to be your authentic self. I’ve also noticed that adolescents, young adults, and college students often feel especially comfortable and connected in our time together. Therapeutic Approaches My approach to therapy is primarily rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Together, we’ll explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with curiosity and work toward making the changes you’d like to see in yourself. For those who resonate with this approach, I incorporate Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support compassionate exploration of your inner parts. I also use a person-centered and trauma-informed lens, honoring the impact of your life experiences and creating a space where all parts of you are welcome. While CBT and IFS are my go-to methods, I like to keep things flexible, drawing from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to tailor our work to what feels right for you. My hope is that you find a space in therapy that feels human, welcoming, and uniquely yours. If you think we might be a good fit, I’d love to connect and explore how we can work together in a way that supports your growth. I currently offer teletherapy sessions at River Wards Wellness Collective. Please visit our website and use the button at the bottom of my profile below to contact our administrative team and begin the intake process.

*Serving clients in California, Pennsylvania & North Carolina via teletherapy* I imagine you're looking for help, maybe a kind and guiding mental health professional wherever you are on your healing journey. Perhaps you've felt confused, misunderstood, unseen, overwhelmed with the constant pressures and stresses of this current moment. You may be struggling with shame, self-hatred, a lack of belonging, imposter syndrome. You might feel nervous about asking for help. I welcome the chance to work together in personalized, culturally sensitive, and confidential virtual therapy. As a multicultural and multiethnic cisfemale therapist of color, I seek to understand who you are, your worldview, and your environment. Once you reach out to me, I'll invite you to set up a consultation to discuss your needs, what's going on and how we may work together. We'll get to know each other a little. I'll also invite your questions and perspectives on what you're looking for in a therapist. Together we can help you heal, create a space to honor and respect who you are, and support a life of meaningful connection and empowerment. Contact me or schedule an initial consultation via the secure client portal https://ashleyaclemft.clientsecure.me/!

My clients come to me with a wide variety of concerns related to anxiety, depression, confusion, low self-esteem, life transitions and adjustments, impulsive behaviors (e.g., substance use, binge eating, self-harm), etc. There is no problem too big or too small, and you are brave for considering therapy. No matter what you are searching for, I believe change is possible and therapy can help. I utilize evidence-based interventions to help my clients build a life that they find more sustainable, meaningful, and enjoyable. I am skilled at helping my clients find balance by challenging them to make necessary changes while also working toward accepting the things that are unchangeable, such as our past. You don't have to know if therapy is right for you just yet, it is ok to be uncertain. I meet my clients where ever they are at in life, and I offer warmth, safety, validation, non-judgement, and a little bit of humor. Reach out and let's see if we would make a good team.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Great to meet you! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I am deeply committed to supporting individuals and families as they navigate life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and confidence. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, bringing a depth of knowledge, strong clinical skills, and genuine compassion to my work with clients. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University in 2015 and completed my Master’s Degree in Counseling at Edinboro University in 2020. During my graduate training, I worked full-time as a school-based therapist, where I developed specialized experience supporting children and adolescents coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. My graduate-level internship at Juniata College further strengthened my clinical skills with college-aged individuals, helping them manage academic pressure, identity development, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

On the surface, things are going well, but you've felt anxious and constantly focused on making other's around you happy for a long time. Always striving to be perfect, yet feeling like others are disappointed in you or nothing is done right. You are not alone and you deserve to take care of yourself to. Whether you just experience anxiety, or you notice parts of you that strive for perfection and wanting to make other's happy, I am here for you. I help women in their 20s and 30s feel empowered and take steps toward healing themselves.

You’ve carried a lot — maybe more than anyone around you realizes. Trauma has a way of showing up everywhere: in your relationships, your self-esteem, your body, your thoughts. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the past or stuck in patterns you desperately want to break, I want you to know that you don’t have to keep doing this alone. I believe healing happens when you’re truly supported — when you feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow into the warrior you are. I work with folks who are ready for something to change, even if they’re not sure what healing looks like yet. I want you to feel grounded, confident, and whole. Together, we take things at your pace. We explore old wounds with care, rebuild boundaries with clarity, and create space for you to rediscover your strength. Using trauma-informed approaches, I’ll help you gently untangle the experiences and patterns that have kept you stuck, so you can move forward with more freedom and self-compassion. If you’re ready to start that journey, I’d be honored to support you.

Are you struggling with anxiety? Feeling stressed? Having trouble in your relationships? Having difficulty coping with change or loss or grief? I help people who are struggling with change, anxiety, and stress to better navigate these struggles and manage their emotions and thoughts more effectively. I also help people who are having issues in their relationships to better navigate their relationships and improve their communication skills. When people have had a loss and are experiencing grief, I help them process their emotions and thoughts and help them find meaning. I can help you, too.

Embarking on a journey towards mental well-being takes both vulnerability and courage. Therapy is a transformative space where vulnerability turns into strength, and courage takes the helm of your healing journey. As your collaborative partner, I would be honored to walk alongside you and support you as you navigate life's challenges and discover the strength within you. About Me: I am a therapist rooted in the foundational principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), meaning I focus on the intertwining of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My approach to therapy is enriched by a versatile blend of various modalities, including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I also utilize skill-building modalities, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to assist clients in working towards their goals in therapy. My approach is individualized to support the specific needs of each client. During our time together, it is my hope that you feel empowered to explore, express, and grow, that you feel supported to show up authentically as yourself. Specialization: I bring a wealth of experience supporting clients on identity formation/exploration, anxiety, depression, body image, postpartum issues, ADHD, Autism, and those who are a part of the foster care/adoption community. I have extensive experience working with adolescent and young adult clients. While I do not work with couples, I have worked extensively with individuals who are hoping to improve their relationships with others by enhancing interpersonal communication skills such as conflict resolution and assertive communication. I have been able to assist clients with navigating new relationships and relationship changes (such as divorce or separation), processing infidelity, and navigating child/caregiver and adult child/parent relationships. I will often address relational issues through an attachment lens, and process the impact that attachment styles have on one’s interactions and behaviors in relationships. I am also passionate about supporting individuals living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Having walked a similar path, I deeply understand the intricacies of such experiences. I bring not only professional expertise but also a deep well of empathy. Together, we will navigate the intricacies of your struggles with compassion and understanding. Flexibility: I meet with clients both in-person at our West Chester office and virtually via telehealth, My commitment to your well-being and growth remains, regardless of the medium. I invite you to take this courageous step toward healing and growth. Together, we will journey along a path that celebrates your strengths, honors your experiences, navigates your challenges, and empowers you to embrace wellness. I accept Aetna & Cigna Insurances.