About the counselors
Mandy Kushner,
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Mandy is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling with a minor in School Counseling from Carlow University. At LaRoche University, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Additionally, Mandy pursued further training to become a Certified Clinical Trauma Counselor (CCTC) and uses Somatic Therapy to help clients work through unprocessed trauma.
She strives to create a relaxed, supportive and positive environment for her clients during each counseling session, because she understands how difficult and scary it can be for clients to disclose personal information. She shows her clients respect, honesty, compassion and listens without judgement. With over 20 years of experience, Mandy has worked with children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics in a variety of settings which include: Outpatient, Community/School-Based, Psychiatric Hospitals and Primary Care Physician Offices. Mandy works with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, grief, bipolar disorder, OCD, relationship issues, LGBTQ+ struggles and PTSD. She specializes in past and present trauma in all forms (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, veterans of war, natural disasters, unresolved grief, COVID-19 pandemic struggles). She started her own private practice years ago, because she’s committed to helping clients overcome obstacles they’re experiencing. She truly believes "People start to HEAL the moment they feel HEARD.” |
Rae Kotar, LPC, NCC
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Rae is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor and holds a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from Waynesburg University.
Rae has 7 years of experience counseling teens and adults with various mental health diagnoses such as: anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, adjustment issues, OCD, autism and low self-esteem. The approaches Rae uses are designed to help you: 1) better respond to difficult thoughts and feelings so they have less influence over you and your life, 2) increase awareness and connection to the present moment, and 3) take actions that move you toward what matters to you, rather than engaging in behaviors that leave you feeling stuck or unfulfilled. She tailors her approach to support each client individually. Especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been challenged in our relationships, our work, our empathy, and our resilience. Rae aims to help others navigate feelings of loneliness, anger, and sadness, and she works to help people adapt to changing times. |
Alaina Schrader, LPC, NCC
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Alaina is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling from West Virginia University. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music Education, with a Minor in Psychology, also from West Virginia University.
Alaina has over 10 years of experience as a counselor and has a few unique passions. First, she enjoys working with children of all ages who may have been through traumas, experienced a great loss, or just need help better learning to express themselves and regulate their emotions. Alaina loves the challenge of getting kids invested in their own progress and providing the safe space & connection needed to build a trusting relationship. Second, she has a passion for helping overwhelmed, stressed & lost adults take control of their wellness and gain a sense of control in their life. Thirdly, she is passionate about helping distressed postpartum mothers navigate their new reality. She offers a very productive yet person-centered approach where compassion & validation meet the intersection of learning new skills and creating change. Alaina uses CBT to help repair distorted thinking patterns and motivational interviewing to engage a hesitant sharer. She is an authentic, transparent personality with a sense of humor & flair. |
Ashley Tresky,
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Ashley has a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Westminster College and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Slippery Rick University.
Ashley's area of expertise is with children, teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, grief or substance use disorder. With over 6 years of experience, Ashley is committed to treating individuals and families through elements of CBT, mindfulness, narrative therapy and acceptance. She is a big believer in providing psychoeducation to increase self-awareness and empower clients to manage their own symptoms effectively while still providing guidance and support. She uses authenticity, patience and compassion to promote healing and self-care. As you work together, you will notice Ashley's goal is to create a safe place where you can feel comfortable and process your feelings without being judged. |
Chris Koska,
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Chris is a Nationally Certified Counselor and holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
He works with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, stress, and adjustment issues. Chris utilizes Rational Emotive Behavior Theory (REBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), tailored to each client’s individual needs. Chris provides an environment where clients feel safe and comfortable during each counseling session. This helps to create a strong client-therapist relationship. He connects with his clients through respect, honesty, compassion and humor. Therapy can help people become more self-aware and develop a better understanding of who they are and what they need. Chris’s goal is to support his clients in this process and help them find the tools that work for them. |
Nadia Abbondanza, LPC, NBCC
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Nadia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from Carlow University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Davis and Elkins College in Psychology and Human Services.
Nadia has over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents. She works with clients struggling with various childhood disorders including autism spectrum disorders, behavior disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and ADHD. She provides various therapeutic approaches including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skills training. Nadia loves her profession and developing relationships with her clients and their families. |
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ContactMK Counseling Services
135 Cumberland Rd Suite 102 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (412) 999-2244 Click Here to Email |
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