Pittsburgh Therapists at 3Rivers Therapists

Life happens, and we often can't control the stressors, but we can learn how to manage our thoughts and behaviors as well as get better at understanding why we are affected and triggered by them. 

Does this sound like you?

• Overwhelmed on a daily basis

• struggling to get things done or have difficulty finding joy,

• your relationships are struggling

• you often find yourself thinking and worrying about the same issues over and over

• you notice patterns and themes that have been following you around your whole life and you cant seem to understand why

These are just a few of the concerns that we can address in individual therapy. Therapy is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. 

We understand that family dynamics can be complicated and at times difficult to navigate. We can provide you with the support, guidance, and strategies that you need to help get your family back on track and start the healing process. 

Is your family struggling with

• Poor boundaries

• Constant conflict

• New additions

• Trauma that affects the whole family

These are just a few concerns that we can address in family therapy. 

Healthy relationships are vital to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We believe everyone has the ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, and we want to help. 

If you and your partner are struggling with

• parenting

• communicating,

• intimacy/sex

then we can help

These are just a few concerns that we can address in couples therapy. 

Little people often experience BIG feelings that they need help processing. Therapy is a great place to learn and practice coping skills. 

We can help with

• school anxiety

• depression

• PTSD-trauma

• self injurious behaviors

• transitioning into adulthood

These are just a few concerns that we can address with children and teens. 

There is life outside of an Eating Disorder. It can be very difficult to believe this when living by it’s strict standards and rules, however at 3Rivers we seek to provide hope, help, and healing when it comes to disordered eating, body image, and a damaged relationship with yourself/loved ones. 

Our approach is informed by cognitive behavioral and trauma therapies including CBT-E, DBT, ACT, and EMDR therapy. We believe in an integrated approach to healing with a focus on psycho-education, weight restoration, regular eating, connecting with a dietician, maintaining medical stability, learning unhelpful thought patterns, accepting reality, healing one’s relationships with self and others, and pursuing a full and valued life. 

Contact us to see if you are ready to take the next step in your healing process. 

with julie straub

With my first yoga class in college I was introduced to the mind-body connection.  Intrigued by this, I declared my double major in Neuroscience and Psychology and continued on to receive my Master of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh with an emphasis in Behavioral and Community Health.  While later working in the healthcare field, I recognized the importance of treating the mind and body not as two separate entities, but as a whole.  In 2006 I began teaching yoga and shortly after obtained my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification.  I am trained to teach a Vinyasa style of yoga, meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques). 

I currently offer group, small group and individualized mindfulness and movement sessions. These sessions offer a customized “therapeutic approach” to movement/yoga and mindfulness for those working with stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders. I strive to develop an approach to foster the whole person on their journey of physical, mental and emotional health. During these sessions the breath and movement are integrated with a goal of obtaining a mind-body connection through poses, creative breathing techniques, imagery, and engaging mindfulness activities.  

Once we gain a mind-body connection we foster cooperation and compassion of others and ourselves to take out into our daily lives.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful new psychotherapy technique which has been very successful in helping people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, disturbing memories, post traumatic stress and many other emotional problems. It has been known to bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress. 

The EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are "trapped" in the nervous system. This assists the neurophysiological system, the basis of the mind/body connection, to free itself of blockages and reconnect itself. 

As troubling images and feelings are processed by the brain via the eye-movement patterns of EMDR, resolution of the issues and a more peaceful state are achieved. 

HOW IT WORKS

The therapist works gently with the client and asks him/her to revisit the traumatic moment or incident, recalling feelings surrounding the experience, as well as any negative thoughts, feelings and memories. The therapist then uses an agreed upon form of bi lateral stimulation and the client tracks the movements/vibration/tapping from left to right. The more intensely the client focuses on the memory, the easier it becomes for the memory to come to life. As quick and vibrant images arise during the therapy session, they are processed by the bi lateral stimulation, resulting in painful feelings being exchanged for more peaceful, loving and resolved feelings. 

EMDR has been know to have a high degree of effectiveness with the following conditions: loss of a loved one, injury of a loved one, car accident, work accident, assault, robbery, rape, natural disaster, injury, illness, and  witness to violence childhood abuse victims of violent crimes.

Art therapy is a process which uses the relational aspect of talk therapy and the expressive element of visual imagery to facilitate awareness & non-judgement  toward one’s own inner experience.

The art making process can help to hold & express uncomfortable emotions which are difficult to verbalize. Movement with art supplies can help provide feelings of control and groundedness when working with memories and unspoken internal tension. Whether the imagery is abstract or recognizable, naming your creation can provide objectivity and ownership of your experience in a way that is healing. 

No "artistic skill" is needed and life isn't always pretty, so that is not the goal with the art either. Art therapy is more about the process than the product. 

Art Therapy has been used to successfully treat a variety of issues including, but not limited to the following: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, PTSD, Emotional difficulties, Eating disorders, Identity Issues, Family or relationship problems, Psychosocial issues, and Stress.

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