Our Professional Staff

   I am a Master`s level, nationally certified counselor currently obtaining licensure hours with Namaste and accepting self-pay clients in our Pittsburgh office. My interests include assisting individuals in developing self-esteem and self-concept, developing interpersonal relationship skills and relationship concerns. I also have experience in aiding those with substance related issues and accompanying depression and anxiety. My approach is to not focus solely on the problem, but rather the client’s positive qualities they already possess that can help to overcome the issue. I believe that by examining our true selves and typical patterns, we can identify and modify maladaptive behaviors that may serve as roadblocks to our own happiness and quality of life. 

 Shanna is a licensed professional counselor and national certified counselor.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Geneva College.  Shanna brings a background of clinical experience including working in psychiatric rehabilitation with adults with severe and persistent mental illness, Christian Counseling with undergraduate students, and in-home family-based therapy with children at risk for out-of-home placement and their families.  She recently completed a trauma competency training and qualified to become a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  Shanna is currently providing outpatient therapy, co-facilitating DBT Skills groups, and is eager to integrate her passion for the healing power of horses though assisting with the development of equine assisted psychotherapy programming. Outside of the professional realm, Shanna enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, five horses, Redbone Coonhound, and participating in church outreach and activities.​

  My name is Ashley O’Hara and I have been  practicing as a licensed clinical social worker for the last 10 years,  incorporating a holistic lifestyle approach and empowering individuals to make  conscious choices to live more wholehearted lives. In keeping with the mind,  body, spirit approach, I have been engaged in the study and practice of yoga for  the last 13 years, as a method to deal with my own personal struggles with  anxiety and emotion regulation. The most rewarding aspect of being a  therapist is building relationships and connecting with people, assisting them  in creating their authentic selves and helping them to navigate challenging life  stressors. Having been trained in the four modalities of Dialectical  Behavioral Therapy: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and  Interpersonal Effectiveness, we use these skills that address “life on life’s  terms” as a means of reaching behavioral change and emotional growth. 

Sometimes, our perspective can get  cloudy and we need help “cleaning the lens” through which we view our lives, to  discover a new awareness about ourselves. If you are curious, looking for a  new perspective, and have the willingness to try, the door is open and I am  looking forward to being there with you on your journey to wellness. 

Ashley works at the Pittsburgh Office.

  I am a Master’s level, nationally certified counselor currently working toward licensure with Namaste Holistic Counseling and accepting self-pay clients in our Export office Tuesday afternoons from approximately 2:00pm - 7:00pm

I earned my Bachelor of Science Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and my Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. My clinical experience has provided me with a diverse background assisting both adults and children with a wide range of issues.  My areas of interest are working with individuals that are struggling with substance abuse, trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and those on the Autism spectrum. I am passionate and dedicated in helping those that have a desire to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors into a healthy, confident way of life.

Abra “Abby” McClure Kuniak holds a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) from Chatham University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA). She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and geriatrics. Abby has worked in a variety of different therapeutic areas including inpatient and outpatient neuropsychiatric assessment, outpatient community mental health, crisis intervention, in home services such as Wraparound BHRS and Family Based, the school setting, and private practice. 

Abby is an eclectic therapist that utilizes a person centered, and strength-based form of therapy derived from the Family Systems Model, as well as concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness techniques. Abby also has training in Brainspotting. Her clinical experience has allowed her to focus on diverse needs including trauma, substance abuse, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, adjustment issues, gender issues, sexual identity issues, grief and loss, sexual abuse and victimization, patterns of codependency, self-harming behaviors and ideation. 

Abby has specific training in QPR (Question Persuade Refer) including having completed the train-the-trainer component, CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management), and DCORT (Disaster Crisis Outreach and Refer Team). During her time spent as the Team Lead (assistant manager) of a Pennsylvania county crisis intervention program, she was also on the county’s DCORT team. All of these certifications are designed to help mental health professionals respond within the community to reduce the rate of suicide and trauma symptoms associated with impactful events.

Abby utilizes evidence-based approaches to help clients to achieve their goals. She believes that individuals are the experts in their lives, but sometimes get “stuck” and need help “getting out”. Abby works with her clients to help them to access their strengths, and develop approaches that are centered on their personal objectives. Through this approach, the client is able to build their “tool box” by gaining “tools”, or skills, to help them move forward with the healthy life they desire.