Being Counseling LLC

Maybe you can't focus in class. Maybe you're more irritable than usual, sleeping badly, or pulling away from people. Maybe something ended, like a relationship, a sport, a friendship, or the person you were in high school, and nobody around you would call it a loss. College asks you to figure out who you are while performing at a high level, often far from the people who knew you best. When that gets heavy, it usually shows up as anxiety, low motivation, or anger before it looks like anything else.
I'm a licensed professional counselor and a Penn State faculty member. I specialize in grief and in the losses people don't get permission to grieve: changes in identity, belonging, and the sense that you matter to the people and places around you. I work with students of any gender, and I have particular experience with men who were taught to handle things on their own. We'll start with what's actually happening for you now. Then we'll build practical skills and a clearer sense of where you're headed.

My approach:

I combine Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI) with the basics that shape mental health: sleep, movement, and connection. I track progress with brief standardized check-ins, so you can see whether things are changing. I'm also certified in Nature Informed Therapy. Some sessions can happen outdoors as walk-and-talk sessions in the State College area. Many students find it easier to talk while walking side by side than while sitting across from someone in an office.

Questions students often ask:

Do you take insurance?

I'm a private-pay, out-of-network provider. If your plan has out-of-network benefits, I can give you a superbill to submit for possible reimbursement. Paying directly also means no insurance claim is filed unless you choose to submit one. Reach out and we can talk through cost before you commit.

My problem doesn't feel serious enough for therapy.

You don't need a diagnosis or a crisis to start. Many students come in because something feels off and they want to address it before it affects their grades, relationships, or health.

I've been to CAPS. How is this different?

Off-campus counseling can continue beyond a set number of sessions or a single semester. It also allows for specialized work on grief, loss, and identity.

What happens in the first session?

We'll talk about what brought you in and what you want to be different. We'll also complete a few short questionnaires that give us a baseline. You'll leave with a sense of whether we're a good fit and what the next steps would be.

Can we meet outside?

Yes. Walk-and-talk sessions are available, depending on weather and your preference.

Is this for emergencies?

No. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, contact Penn State CAPS crisis services, or go to the nearest emergency room.