Optum Therapists in Pennsylvania
Finding a therapist who accepts Optum insurance can make accessing mental health support more manageable and affordable. With 105 verified therapists in Pennsylvania who accept Optum insurance, you can filter by therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and solution-focused therapy to address issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist is currently welcoming new clients and has availability within the next 30 days, ensuring you have access to quality care that fits within your Optum insurance coverage.
Find therapists near you in
PhiladelphiaAvailability updated: 7/5/2025
Liz Patterson
(she/her)
LCSW
25 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with almost 25 years experience working with children, adolescents and families. I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Ecosystemic Famliy Structural Therapy (EFST). CBT has helped dozens of clients challenge reoccurring thoughts and manage their anxiety. We’ll use CBT to recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other. We’ll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns, which will help you lead a less anxious and stressed life.
Michael Hollen
(he/him)
LPC
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I am a licensed therapist practicing in Pennsylvania and working with a variety of clientele. I work with a variety of ages, from anyone from 12 and above. I'm also willing to work afternoons, weekends, and evenings to meet anyone where they need to be, should that be needed.
I use a variety of treatments to meet my clientele where they are emotionally and developmentally. I tend to work with several mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar, and various personality disorders. I also work well with adjustment disorders, as well as trauma.
I look forward to working with anyone that feels they could benefit from therapy. Thank you for your time, and I wish you and your family a great day!
Find therapists experienced in these areas
Marcus Pressley
(he/him)
Frequently rebooked
LPC
4 years of experience
Virtual
Greetings! I am Marcus Pressley.
It is truly my privilege to be able to offer my services to you at a time of need. I look forward to building a strong therapeutic foundation that allows for maximum growth on your journey. I have experience working in Behavioral healthcare, Education, and Community Mental Health. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exercising, and playing guitar.
Danielle West
Frequently rebooked
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm Danielle and I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters Bryn Mawr College of Social Work and have been practicing for 6 years. I work full time in a school setting helping children who struggle with mental health issues, emotional regulation, and peer conflicts. In the evenings, I enjoy counseling women with various presenting issues who want to lead a happy and healthy life but need some help getting there.
Grant Kissel
LPC
15 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Master's Degree from Chatham University in Pittsburgh and have been providing therapy services for 14 years. I have worked with adolescents, adults, and married couples. I help clients struggling with an array of life and mental health concerns move forward with their mental health and overall functioning.
Sally McAfee
(she/her)
LPC
20 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I am Sally! Welcome to a new adventure and journey in your life which promises a more rewarding future for yourself! I look forward to meeting you and getting to know to you!
Did you know it takes courage and strength to enter therapy?
Do you long to be listened to, have your feelings heard and understood without judgment or criticism? How about building your confidence, peace of mind and ability to depend on yourself? Are you interested in improving your ability to balance your academics, social life and personal time?
Reconnect to your best self, or discover it for the first time! Learn practical, down to earth ways to build your confidence, manage your time and make the best of your opportunities.
Have fun learning and growing. Counseling/therapy does not have to be difficult and painful, but can be eye opening, expansive and energizing.
I bring humor, common sense approaches to help you learn to calm down and focus on your priorities. I use my background in yoga, meditation, and relationship building skills to enrich our learning together to discover what best meets your needs.
Jessie Arian
(they/them)
Frequently rebooked
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! My name is Jessie (they/[any pronoun is fine]), and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Pennsylvania, based out of Philadelphia. I received my Master's Degree from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research and have been in practice full-time for over four years. My passion is supporting the growth and development of children, adolescents, and families--especially LGBTQ+ youth.
Liz Weber
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Pennsylvania. I have been practicing social work for over 20 years and have 5 years of experience in outpatient mental health treatment, working with children, adolescents, teens, and adults. I'm passionate about helping my clients recognize their lives have purpose and they are so much more than the challenges they face.
Natalie Vrana
LCSW
8 years of experience
Virtual
As Jack Kornfield says, "No matter how difficult the past, you can always begin again today." Our history shapes us but does not define us. Are you looking for a therapist who can see how your unique, and sometimes difficult, experiences, as well as your values, interests, and goals, have helped you grow into the person you currently are? I will guide you through any barriers while we work together to develop and reach your goals.
Marcey Wilder
(she/her)
LPC
4 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters from the Walden University and have been practicing for 4 years in a residential treatment facility focused on helping youth ages 11 to 18 and outpatient clients dealing with challenges due to Autism, familial conflict, depression, anxiety, and other struggles. I collaborate with children, adolescents, young adults and adults to create a treatment plan setting attainable goals. I have evening and weekend appointments to accommodate those individuals or families if that works better for you. If you need other times than I have listed available, please reach out to me. I can try and accommodate and meet you and / or your family when convenient.
Adam Phillips
(he/him)
LPC
7 years of experience
Virtual
As of 1/7/2025 only accepting individual clients for new referrals!
My passion is working with children, teenagers, young adults, couples and families to process trauma and difficult experiences so they can experience growth and healing within themselves and their relationships. Through my work with individuals and family's I have learned the deep importance of understanding "what has happened" to people rather than viewing people through the lens of "what is wrong with people". Likewise, the importance of understanding one's family of origin and how this shapes our views of people and the world and impacts how we relate with people and navigate our world. I work from a relational, psychodynamic, family-systems, trauma-informed, and neurobiological perspective. Feel free to reach out for more information!
Theresa Counihan
(she/her)
Frequently rebooked
LP
10 years of experience
Virtual
Here you are. You have noticed a challenge in your life. You have tried many things. You are (almost) ready to overcome this and live as a better version of yourself. You are looking for help. First of all, take time to give yourself a pat on the back. It’s not easy to know when you need help. Let’s pick up right where you are. Let’s figure out together how to set goals, make decisions, recognize barriers, stay motivated, find balance, deal with stressors, cope with losses, and accept setbacks. Let’s make sure that you embrace your identity and that you create and maintain positive relationships. Let’s do this! I am looking forward to meeting you.
Kisa Pentarek
(she/her)
LPC
11 years of experience
Virtual
I have been a therapist and worked in mental health for many years. I truly love my job. I know that I cannot help every person I meet, but I am committed to offering kindness and my best efforts to do exactly that. I aim to offer clients kindness, make them feel more comfortable with even uncomfortable conversations and cheer them on as they heal on this journey.
Grace Rummel
(she/her)
LCSW
4 years of experience
Virtual
I am Grace! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since October 2023, but I have been in outpatient counseling for the past 4 years. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, but I have the most experience with teens and adolescents. I enjoy working with younger adults, as well. I use a variety of therapy methods during sessions. It depends on the client and their needs what therapy types would work.
Ashley Stahl
(she/her)
Frequently rebooked
LPC
16 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. I began my journey in the field by completing my undergraduate degree from Penn State in Human Development and Family Studies. I went on to earn my Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Counseling. Most recently, I earned a graduate certificate in Addictions Counseling through Purdue. I have 16 years of experience in the field and have specialized experience and training in working with sexual misconduct, addiction, and other problem sexual behaviors. I have experience working with families to build parenting skills as well as repairing familial relationships and attachments. I have experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, specifically sexual trauma and who may have PTSD symptoms. Despite these specific experiences and training in the field, I enjoy working with diverse population of individuals in age and who may be experiencing various difficulties.
Brandon Ballantyne
Frequently rebooked
LPC
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hello there, my name is Brandon Ballantyne. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. My clinical focus is in utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy with clients to alleviate various forms of mental and emotional distress. I provide supportive therapy to improve the understanding of internal relationships between thoughts, emotions, and actions. When our thoughts are recognized to be tangible elements, we realize the personal control we have over thinking better, feeling better, and coping in healthier ways.
Dr. Shelly Lear
(she/her)
LP
35 years of experience
Virtual
I am a licensed psychologist in PA, with a specialty in clinical psychology. For the past 30 years I have specialized in college mental health working with young adults and late adolescents from a variety of theoretical perspectives, specializing in individual, group therapy, and family therapy as well as hypnotherapy modalities. Prior to becoming a psychologist, I had training and experience with helping individuals and families with substance abuse, recovery from sexual, emotional, and physical abuse history, and personality or interpersonal style problems.
Paula Jo Lynch
(she/her)
LPC
3 years of experience
Virtual
I am a clinical counselor and art therapist. I work within eclectic style to engage the client in an empathic and authentic way. I assist in helping the client find solutions that will work for them, and that they feel comfortable doing. Together, we try to heal the client and give them the tools to reduce depression centered around their past and the stress of the now and reduce anxiety of the future.
Patricia Whitaker
LPC
26 years of experience
Virtual
Patricia career expands well over 25 years of working in the Behavioral Health and Human Service field, working in various Drug and Alcohol programs /Mental Health Field (In the York Lancaster and Chester County areas).
She earned master's degree in human services 2002, License Professional Counselor 2003
NCC Nationally Certified
As of 2024 still provides Mental Health Drug and Alcohol, Couples, And Trauma related issues.
Carmen Porter
(she/her)
LPC
9 years of experience
Virtual
Welcome to Kairos Counseling and Consulting LLC. Im Carmen, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) in the states of Pennsylvania and Florida. I received my masters degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University. Impacting individuals and families; helping them to experience resilience, growth and transformation through difficult experiences and life transitions has continued to be my primary motivation.
My clients are usually self-aware, observant, strong, intelligent, and sensitive; desiring the skills or motivation to move forward. But also may feel overwhelmed, ashamed, anxious, depressed, self conscious and/or defeated. My role in your journey will be to assist you in managing physical, emotional and experiential symptoms that have kept you stuck, process distressing experiences and envision a future grounded in hope. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I look forward to supporting you in that journey.
Brooke Messinger
(she/her)
LPC
21 years of experience
Virtual
There are times in life when people will seek counseling because they feel disconnected in their relationships, are struggling with difficult situations and emotions, or long to live a life that feels meaningful, satisfying, and authentic. My approach begins with the belief that individuals are resilient and may benefit from utilizing their strengths to increase their resilience. I can assist in attaining lifestyle balance, developing healthy coping skills, recognizing your priorities and problem-solving.
I believe that every client is an individual and deserves a personalized treatment plan to fit their needs. My clients struggle with anxiety, depression, family conflict, grief, counseling for adolescents and families and situational life stress.
Taking the first step is never easy, but I am here to support you. Life can be overwhelming and challenging at times. It is important to me to lead with empathy and meet my clients where they are so we can work through the issues together.
Asia Gunter
(she/her)
Frequently rebooked
LPC
8 years of experience
Virtual
I’m a licensed therapist who provides a supportive and collaborative space for clients to explore their emotions, challenges, and personal growth. I use a blend of evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Structural Family Therapy—to help individuals develop insight, build coping skills, and improve relationships. My goal is to empower clients to navigate life with greater clarity, self-compassion, and confidence.
Michelle Hammel
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I'm Michelle. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressures and stress of life? Do you have life changes and/or transitions that have increased your worry and affected your moods? Taking the first step to begin therapy may feel intimidating. However, it may be the journey that brings you the peace and insight you need to begin living life in a positive direction.
I have over 10 years' experience in working with children, adolescents and adults. There are many reasons people seek therapy. Whether life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles together we will explore how this impacts you and your daily life.
Maybe you are struggling to manage and understand your child’s moods and behaviors? Is your child feeling anxious, depressed, or lacking self-confidence? Are your child's behaviors impacting your family? Parenting is hard! It can be even more challenging if your child struggles with emotional and/or behavioral problems. As a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, I will work with you to ensure you and your child have the support and skills to be successful.
Dana Evangelista
Frequently rebooked
LCSW
21 years of experience
Virtual
I am currently only taking new clients for morning and afternoon appointments. These appointments fall between 8:30am -2:00pm.
I have been working in the field as a social worker for over 20 years. My work has been with children, adolescents and adults that have faced numerous challenges whether that be mental health issues, behavioral concerns, family issues, etc. I use a client centered approach and work with the client to ensure that their treatment is individualized and addresses their presenting concerns. I use a collaborative approach with my clients in order to work towards treatment goals.
Abigail Reese
(she/her)
Frequently rebooked
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I’m Abby. I help children, adolescents, and young adult college students learn to manage anxiety and depression as well as take control of focus and organization. We will work together to help you identify challenges and triggers, learn and implement healthy coping skills, and identify resources and supports. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and creative therapies to help you achieve your goals. I can’t wait to partner with you on this journey!
Frequently asked questions
Why filter by Pennsylvania rather than a city
like Philadelphia?
When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh to Scranton! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in Pennsylvania.
Will my therapist take Optum?
Yes! If you use Optum you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Optum you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.
How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on Child or Adolescent?
The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need. For example, your selected specialty, Child or Adolescent, is filtering therapists in Pennsylvania that work with patients with similar concerns.
Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?
Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.
What to expect during your first session?
Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.
Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.
Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.