Hi ya’ll, I’m Chris. The state of the world and our own well-being can often feel very fragile, especially after these last few years. Through counseling I am able to provide an outlet for processing your emotions and actions and finding a way to unstick yourself when you don’t like where you are. Therapy can be a frightening step for many, but I hope to make your journey to a healthier mindset as comfortable and rewarding as possible. My clinical experience and education are focused on working with those who struggle with severe depression and anxiety. I work with clients of all ages but specialize working with adolescents, teens, and young adults. In addition to anxiety and depression, I also work with people who struggle from symptoms of PTSD, BPD, and bipolar disorder. I utilize a CBT and DBT approach but believe therapy is very person-specific and will tailor our sessions to fit your specific needs. Past clients have told me I am very patient, kind, and relaxed. I can effectively incorporate breaks and humor into sessions, so therapy does not feel like a chore. If you believe I could be a good fit for you please feel free to reach out and let’s get to work!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, clients can expect to create a treatment plan. Will work on mapping out what areas we want to be working on and give you an opportunity to see if you believe we can be a good fit.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have a history working with teens and college students in the Pittsburgh area struggling with suicidal ideation and/or severe anxiety. My strengths lie in the ability to teach skills to others, to lessen the intensity of these feelings, as well as provide a space to simply vent about what is going on in your life.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
My experience is primarily with teens and young adults with depression and anxiety but am happy to meet with older adults as well.
About Chris Friend
Specializes in
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Incorporate CBT to help improve emotions by examing our thought processes and behaviors. Will work on challenging unfair or distorted thoughts as well as changing unhelpful behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Focused on four main concepts: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Practiced for four years in an outpatient setting doing IOP groups.