Brainspotting Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA

My orientation to therapy is grounded in liberatory, strengths-based, and relational frameworks. My goal is to partner with you against that which is preventing you from creating a meaningful, value-aligned life: A life full of vitality, where you maintain a balanced connection to both your inner world and your community. I consider the material conditions (social, political, economic) around you when offering coping strategies, and aim to support your healing while holding space for any active harms or atrocities you may be experiencing (direct and indirect).

We were founded to provide Black and Brown people with quality services. Through a culturally responsive lens, we help you find your sense of self, make sense of your past, work through past trauma, and connect with yourself and the world around you. Let's work together to help you reach your goals.

I’ve spent a lot of time developing expertise in the issues I work with; however, I rely equally on my heart and gut sense in working with each client uniquely. I have a straightforward, common-sense style and know the value of elbow grease in making life changes. Trauma in all its forms is the thread that connects the different life problems I specialize in working with. I don’t believe in having only one tool in my toolbox, any more than I believe in having only one trauma treatment available to help you. Let’s figure out what tools work best for you, whether that be EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Brain Spotting, Deep Brain Reorienting, or the Safe and Sound Protocol. We currently have openings for intensives, men's and women's groups, and online workshops.

Cheerful Heart was created to offer the kind of care many women need but struggle to find, care that takes women’s pain seriously, especially Black women’s pain. The practice was founded by Shakira K. O’Garro, LMHC-D, whose lived experience with severe stage IV endometriosis, adenomyosis, and medical trauma informs every layer of this work. Like many clients, she navigated years of dismissal within medical systems and discovered how deeply those experiences can impact mental health and faith. Cheerful Heart exists so women no longer have to choose between clinical excellence and cultural or spiritual understanding. This is a space where faith questions are welcome, anger toward God is met with compassion, and healing is supported by genuine loving kindness.

I’m a multi-state licensed clinical social worker who is deeply passionate about helping people build healthier, more authentic relationships—starting with the relationship they have with themselves. In my work, I often support individuals who have spent much of their lives over-accommodating, over-functioning, or feeling responsible for others. Many of my clients come in feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to prioritize their own needs without guilt. They may feel chronically anxious, depressed, or worried. My style is warm, direct, and grounded. I’m not a “just sit and nod” therapist—I’m actively engaged in helping you understand patterns, shift perspective, and develop practical tools you can use in real life. I believe you don’t HAVE TO do anything - but you do GET to choose. And learning how to make those choices with clarity and confidence can be incredibly freeing.

Pittsburgh's post-steel identity brings civic pride alongside the lingering mental health effects of industrial decline, with therapists frequently addressing grief, economic anxiety, and intergenerational family dynamics rooted in its working-class heritage. The city's medical landscape is anchored by UPMC — one of the largest health systems in the country — and the University of Pittsburgh, both of which maintain extensive mental health training programs and community clinics. Pittsburgh has a growing creative and tech economy attracting young professionals, creating demand for therapists who work with identity, career transitions, and the particular stress of building a life in a city undergoing reinvention. Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and the South Hills are among the neighborhoods with the strongest concentrations of private practices.

Gender ID

	91%	Female
	9%	Male

Session Type

	60%	Online Only
	40%	In Person and Online

Top Specialties

80%	Trauma and PTSD
60%	Self Esteem
60%	Women's Issues
50%	Anxiety or Fears
50%	Stress
40%	Christian Counseling
40%	Life Coaching

Ages Served

100%	Adult
70%	Young Adult
60%	Senior
30%	Teen
10%	Children

Client Focus

80%	Women
60%	Christian
50%	Men
40%	Black / African American
40%	Hispanic / Latino

Brainspotting therapists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PA

Iris Bowen

Full Being Services

Dr Janice Caudill - Intensive Recovery Healing

Cheerful Heart Mental Health Counseling PLLC

Kelli Hall

Brainspotting therapists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Statistics

Average years in practice

Average cost per session

Accept insurance

Offer sliding scale