Helping you rise above.
The licensed professional counselors of Steel Valley Wellness Group are experienced with adults, adolescents, children and couples. We address causes of anger, irritability, anxiety, fear, sadness, depression and hopelessness, and help to identify the factors that perpetuate these problems. As clients come to understand what triggers their feelings, those patterns of thought lose their hold. Then, our counselors help clients set goals and practice new behaviors that enable them to move beyond the limits of past thinking and old mindsets.
Our Professional Counselors
The Steel Valley Wellness Group counselors are licensed in their fields of expertise and also bring additional resources to the counseling setting. They have an active style in-session and provide focused attention and tailored feedback. The licensed professional counselors utilize evidence-based practices that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Melinda Fedoris, M.S.Ed, N.C.C., L.P.C.
Co-founder – In Person and Telehealth
Melinda Fedoris is a Board Certified Counselor, a certified clinical trauma professional, and licensed by the state of Pennsylvania as a Professional Counselor. She has successfully completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Trauma Informed Care and is credentialed by most major insurance providers. Melinda holds an International Trauma Professional Certification. Melinda has specialized training in treating mood disorders, personality disorders and trauma. She has over 20 years experience working with mood disorders, trauma and abuse. Melinda has acquired her EMDR credentialing and is excited to bring this technique into her practice. Melinda infuses DBT and REBT in her EMDR practice.
Melinda presents an active therapy style with individualized attention and constructive specialized feedback at each session. Melinda is skilled in the treatment of individuals who are unable to resolve symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma and stress that is negatively impacting their lives. Melinda also treats children and adolescents who are facing difficulties with peer pressure, depressive or anxiety symptoms, or self-image problems. Her active-therapy technique provides an environment for expressing feelings and developing effective coping skills. Melinda is dedicated to her patients and brings years of experience to each session. She is driven by each new opportunity to help find the right solution for the patient.
Melinda is an LGBTQA affirming clinician and works with adolescents and adults. Melinda also specializes in treating educators and other therapists. She also provides consultation and supervision to other therapists in the field and those pursuing licensure.
Katie Whitney, M.S., N.C.C., L.P.C.
Co-founder – In Person & Telehealth
Katie Whitney (she/her) is a National Board Certified Counselor, a certified clinical trauma professional, a Licensed Professional Counselor by the state of Pennsylvania and a certified Level-II K-12 School Counselor. She has successfully completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is credentialed by most major insurance providers.
Katie specializes in work with children, adolescents, adults and families holistically, specifically addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and grief issues. She has extensive experience in working with school environment stressors that are unique to children, parents and school staff alike, and can provide support to women experiencing challenges across their life stages.
Katie tailors each session based on client needs, and is an LGBTQA affirming clinician. She often utilizes traditional therapeutic discussions while infusing art and play therapy to bridge any gaps in uncovering more about parents or their children. She is an active member in the therapeutic relationship, listening closely while offering non-judgmental and supportive feedback.
When Katie is not working, she is a lover of coffee, game nights, 90s R&B and Hip Hop, and running to all 5 of her children’s activities with her husband.
Courtney Hindmarch, M.S., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – In Person & Telehealth
Courtney is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since 2011, she has worked with a special interest in child, adolescent and young adult populations. Courtney specializes in assisting with managing a variety of mental health needs such as depression, anxiety, stress management, ADHD, self-esteem, family conflict and behavioral concerns.
Courtney utilizes a person-centered approach in all therapeutic interactions to ensure clients have a space safe to process through the challenges they are facing. Her therapeutic style gravitates towards cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques and client-centered approaches. Courtney helps encourage clients to be able to identify emotions and triggers and build the skills to manage and navigate present and future challenges. She is an active member in the therapeutic relationship and offers a non-judgmental space. Courtney wants to empower her clients to build skills during sessions that they can use on their own and for years to come.
Joanna Lopez, M.S., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – Telehealth
Joanna is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Joanna is trained in EMDR, and working towards becoming a certified EMDR therapist. Her area of specialization is working with individuals who struggle with trauma/PTSD, anger management, anxiety, and depression. She also work with children and adolescents struggling with self-esteem, peer relationships, and school-related issues.
“I understand that working through difficult experiences can be deeply challenging and can evoke intense emotions and thoughts. It is essential for me to foster a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive therapeutic space where clients of all backgrounds and experiences can feel heard, seen, and valued.
To facilitate the healing process, I take an eclectic approach that is tailored to each client’s unique goals, experiences, and strengths. I draw from a variety of modalities, including Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. My ultimate goal is to help my clients develop insight into their experiences, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and learn practical tools and strategies to cope with life’s challenges. Through our work together, I am committed to empowering clients to move forward on their journey towards healing, growth, and personal transformation.”
Joseph Marsh, M.A., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – Telehealth Only
Joseph is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and has worked in the mental health field for over six years. He has worked with a variety of populations in a multitude of settings, including transitional age youth with severe depression, incarcerated folk struggling with addiction, those living with HIV, daily work stress and life unsatisfaction, and the exploration of sexual and gender identities as well as cultural identities.
Joseph views everyone as a living book with the main character sitting across from him in the therapy room. In each story, every person is presented with a good page for every bad page and a bad page for every good page. It can be difficult navigating these stories on our own. Joseph hopes to assist in exploring these stories, whether an individual encounters depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, or self-esteem issues. He is especially sensitive to those impacted by LGBTQ issues, religious minorities, activists, uniformed public servants, and those suffering from depression.
Joseph utilizes a multiculturally-sensitive approach, borrowing from ACT, DBT, CBT, MBCT, mindfulness, narrative, and solution-focused therapies to develop a collaborative and eclectic style to treatment.
Cultures all over the world have a common truth: life is suffering. Through therapy, Joseph hopes to create a safe and empowering environment to help his clients withstand and overcome that suffering.
Kachina Mooney, M.A., ATR-BC, LPC
Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor – In Person & Telehealth
Kachina Mooney, MA, ATR-BC (she/her/ella) is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, who practices in the Pittsburgh region with those from all walks of life. Kachina is TF-CBT trained and she has most recently worked with immigrant children from Central/South America, Afghanistan, and across the globe who have been displaced or are migrating to the United States for safety. Kachina has also worked with women and children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, and are homicide survivors. Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Kachina also focuses her therapeutic work with those from this community who are maneuvering identity, relationship changes, and past trauma.
Within the therapeutic environment, Kachina utilizes a trauma-informed approach alongside existential and relational-cultural theory to help process and make meaning of the past as well as to learn how to create more meaningful relationships throughout life. Kachina utilizes Art Therapy interventions to help build rapport, process experiences, and to discuss imagery and metaphor which will enhance the healing process. While Kachina has worked with a large variety of people with varying needs, her work focuses on those who are experiencing transitional periods (immigration, relationship, or other life transitions); mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and other needs; as well as grief and loss.
Lauren Roycroft, M.S. Ed, L.P.C., N.C.C.
Lauren is a Nationally Certified Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University. As a lifelong Pittsburgher, Lauren has been serving the mental health field with a special concentration in adolescent (16+), young adult and adult populations, along with family and couples counseling. She focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, addictions, sexuality and family conflict.
“Progress not perfection.” Everyone’s journey in life looks different and at times can leave us experiencing a variety of emotions. I believe in the importance of validating each individual for who he/she/they are. If you allow me, I will walk with you on this journey of self discovery and self love.
Alyssa Sullinger, M.S. Ed, L.P.C., N.C.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – Telehealth Only
Alyssa is a licensed professional counselor trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) who is dedicated to helping clients overcome their past and design their future by reprocessing traumatic memories, building a relationship with their adult self, and creating new systems that build resiliency.
Alyssa has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts our ability to experience life fully and uses a combined expertise of EMDR, acceptance and commitment therapy, and client-centered approaches to cultivate a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. Alyssa believes that change occurs when we have clarity on our values, strengths, and our destination, and she is passionate about helping you do all three!
Alyssa loves to support (but is not limited to) adult children of emotionally immature parents, clients suffering from religious trauma, and those looking for support in boundary-setting, emotional regulation, and self-acceptance.
Brandee Tenney, CRNP, NP-C
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner – In Person & Telehealth
Brandee is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), with 15 years of clinical experience across multiple settings. She has a passion for helping members of her community reach their mental health goals, and also serves as an adjunct faculty instructor for the nurse practitioner program at Carlow University.
Brandee is taking clients for medication management via in-person and telehealth on Wednesdays.
Gary Weiss, M.C., N.C.C., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – Telehealth Only
Gary Weiss is a board certified counselor who is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania as a professional counselor. He has three decades experience working in the Behavioral Health field, and 20+ years working as a Master’s level therapist.
Gary works with adults young and old to help them see how the internal narrative of their life affects how they live today. He is interested in getting to know each client as an individual, not a “problem” to be fixed. He understands that people make sense of their world in different ways, and is sensitive to finding ways to help them rediscover the healthy parts of themselves that they may have forgotten.
Gary is comfortable sitting with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, day-to-day and acute stress, grief and loss issues, and individuals dealing with LGBTQIA issues. Through his gentle guidance, he helps clients become healthier and ready to face challenges in the world.
Ali Yalch, M.S., L.P.C.
Licensed Professional Counselor – In Person & Telehealth
Ali is a licensed professional counselor who is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and is also a certified school counselor for grades K-12. Ali specializes in working with children and teens who are having a hard time dealing with and managing their emotions. Is your child or teen just not feeling like themselves? Are they acting out or withdrawing? Are they exhibiting anxiety and worry? Irritable mood or sadness? Ali can help them put their thoughts and feelings into words and build the skills necessary to navigate emotional health. She also works with the adult population to assist with managing a variety of mental health needs such as depression, anxiety and stress.
Ali incorporates a non-judgmental approach in all therapeutic interactions and ensures that all clients feel comfortable and safe in every therapy session. She encourages all clients to be in control of their treatment while instilling a sense of empowerment so that each patient feels confident to learn and utilize skills on their own.
Nikki Kwolek, M.S.
Pre-Licensed Master’s Level Clinician – In Person & Telehealth
Nikki earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Slippery Rock University in 2015 and her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling at Carlow University in 2023. She has been in the field for the past 10 years. She is working with children, adolescents, and young adults who are experiencing challenges with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, and college or career-related issues. Nikki is passionate about empowering individuals to feel confident and to navigate these challenges through collaboration, offering a warm, trusting, and non-judgmental environment, and using cognitive behavioral and solution-focused skills. She recognizes the power in simply being there for the individual and allowing them to feel valued and heard. When Nikki is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and golden retriever, learning new TikTok recipes, and cheering on our Pittsburgh sports teams.
Nikki has availability on Mondays through Thursdays and Saturday mornings to see clients ages 6-24 with a variety of concerns for low-cost self pay sessions ($40).
Our Support Staff
Darlene Besterci
Administrative Manager
Kelly Chalfa
Administrative Manager
Let’s start with a conversation.
Don’t wait any longer. This is the place to start on the road to feeling better. Call 412.368.3535 or email today.