Hi! My name is Justine and I am a licensed professional counselor based in Pittsburgh, PA. I am so happy that you are here and that you have decided to begin your journey to healing, understanding, and empowerment.

I believe that we are all impacted deeply by our family of origin, our generational history, and the systems we are a part of. My approach to therapy is colored by family systems and intersectional feminist theories, both of which seek to understand, dismantle, and heal from systems that have harmed us. Vulnerability and genuineness are critical to change the systems we are a part of. I believe that it is my job as a therapist to continue to learn and grow in anti-oppressive and decolonial work in order to be my most genuine self, provide the best care for my clients, and to advocate for marginalized communities.

My approach to counseling is grounded in empathy, compassion, and trust. I want our time together to be a collaborative process built on respect, understanding, and authenticity. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the greatest tool for healing, and it is my goal to create a safe space to foster our relationship. To do this, it is important to name and address the impact that power, privilege, and oppression have in the therapeutic space. I am sure to reflect and practice ethical and inclusive methods of counseling because it is important for me to validate and understand all the ways my clients identify themselves to create an authentic counseling space.

I am passionate about working with reproductive mental health which includes (but is not limited to) navigating fertility, reproductive loss at any stage, pregnancy support, first time parenting, postpartum mental health, birth trauma, and child-free by choice. Additionally, I specialize in family relationships and generational trauma, attachment and early childhood experiences, sexual and intimate partner violence survivors, chronic illness and disability, and navigating the impact of anti-fat bias.

We all have parts of identity that make up our holistic being. Each of these parts influence our perception through the world and how we move through it. I believe that it is important for therapists and clients to understand each others’ parts in order to make sustainable change and healing. I identify as a cishet, white, fat/larger bodied, and neurodivergent woman with chronic health issues.

I am an introverted nerd who loves to read, learn about history and animals, and visit art exhibits. I love to spend time with my boyfriend, our two golden retrievers (Duncan and Wallace) and be around family and close friends. Outside of counseling, I am a doctoral candidate in Duquesne University’s Counselor Education and Supervision program and am currently working through my dissertation. When I am not in session or doing school work, I am cross-stitching, spending time outside, eagerly awaiting Halloween, or adding to my new collection of rare books.