Counselors
Mandy Kushner,
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Mandy is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has a Bachelor's in Psychology from LaRoche College and her Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. She hold certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Clinical Trauma (CCTP). Additionally, Mandy provides supervision for counselors looking to obtain licensure.
Mandy's clinical experience of over 20 years has included counseling children, teens, adults, seniors, couples and families in a variety of settings: inpatient psychiatric hospital, outpatient, wraparound, school-based, medical office and private practice. She has expertise in the areas of anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship issues and grief. Additionally, she provides counseling for those struggling with self-esteem, life transitions and LGBT issues. You have the choice of a 50 minute traditional face-to-face counseling session or a 50 minute telehealth session. Mandy began her professional counseling experience as a School-Based Therapist in the Pittsburgh Public School System. She provided individual counseling and group counseling for teens with severe behavioral problems. During this time, she was also a Mobile Therapist in Wraparound. Her next endeavor took her to Genesis Medical Associates where she was a Licensed Counselor providing individual, couples, family and group counseling within the medical office. She then became an Independent Licensed Counselor for Transformation Counseling Center, Inc. where she enjoyed providing individual, couples, family and group counseling for children, teens and adults in a private practice setting. Mandy decided to start her own private practice, because she enjoys helping people to overcome obstacles they are facing. |
Angus Martindale, MSPC
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Angus holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. He has an inquisitive approach of exploration that can focus on how a client’s past affects the present or how the present affects the future. He uses a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model which enables him to help clients identify the thoughts that are generating their feelings, which drives their behavior. Through actively listening, he's able to offer insight for clients to better help them reach their goals.
Over the past few years, Angus has worked at UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic which has allowed him to work with adults struggling with severe and persistent mental illness in a community setting. His military experience has provided him with the knowledge to best help veterans or those struggling with PTSD specifically related to combat. He enjoys being with his family, outdoor activities and trying new adventures. He personally loves to listen to podcasts and read books. *Evening appointments available |
Rae Kotar, MS, NCC
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Rae is a 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 many years of experience working with a variety of mental health diagnoses, such as autism, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment issues, to name a few. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in a wraparound setting as a Therapeutic Staff Support. She provided support and resources for clients and their families and worked as an advocate for them in the school and community setting. Additionally, Rae facilitated healthy relationship and social skills groups, offered resources and provided support for young adults with Autism to enable these clients to live independently. Rae uses a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach during counseling sessions, this allows her to help clients gain insight into their thoughts which could be negatively effecting their mood and behaviors. Rae utilizes active listening and meets clients where they currently are to help them reach their goals in the most beneficial and effective way. |
Josh Bechdel, MSCP
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Josh earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University. He looks forward to understanding his clients and working with them to reach common goals. Josh uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Adlerian as well, allowing for him to help his clients understand the thoughts, actions, and feelings behind their behaviors. He is flexible with therapeutic approaches and recognizes certain kinds of therapy are not for every client.
Josh has previously worked at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, where he worked on different floors throughout the hospital, allowing him to work with different populations and different presentations of mental health. He has worked at a therapeutic camp for the last two years, working with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and anxiety. He worked at a Partial Hospitalization Program, which focused on adolescents experiencing suicidality and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. For self-care, Josh enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, knitting, and meditation. |