I am a licensed psychologist and a founding co-owner of Avellar Warden Psychological Associates (AWPA).

I help professionals, athletes, and artists manage anxiety, burnout, overthinking, and pressure. Many of the people I work with appear successful on the outside while privately feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in self criticism. I also support clients navigating important career transitions and relationship challenges. Regardless of the nature of our work, I aim to help you feel more grounded, present, and engaged in your work, relationships, and daily life.

My approach is practical, collaborative, and grounded in mindfulness based therapy. I strive to build a warm and trusting relationship where you feel understood and supported. Through our work together, I will help you develop greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and patterns so you can respond intentionally and effectively.

Over time, I aim to help you learn how to stay present under stress, recover more quickly from setbacks, and reconnect with what matters most to you.

Education and Career

I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and completed my doctoral and postdoctoral training at the University of Delaware and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, respectively. Prior to founding AWPA, I served at Point Park University in several leadership roles, including tenure-track professor, Placement Field Coordinator, Director of Clinical Training, and Interim Chair of the Psychology Department and PsyD Clinical Psychology Program.

I am a licensed psychologist in NY, PA, and a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows me to work with clients in almost every state within the U.S.

I am a licensed psychologist based in Pittsburgh, PA, with over 25 years of experience in the field. I am also a founding co-owner of Avellar Warden Psychological Associates (AWPA).

While I’ve spent many years providing clinical services and evaluations, my current focus is on overseeing the business operations at AWPA and mentoring the next generation of psychologists. Although I am not accepting new clients, I offer initial diagnostic assessments and intake evaluations. I can also guide you in transitioning to one of our skilled psychologists or connect you with another trusted provider.

My areas of expertise include complex differential diagnosis, the intersection of medical and psychiatric conditions, and adoption-related issues.

Education & Career

Before co-founding AWPA, I gained extensive experience working as a psychologist in clinical, medical, and research settings. I hold a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed my doctoral internship at the Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Outside of my professional life, I am a proud mother of three grown children and a lacrosse coach.

As a licensed psychologist, I aim to cultivate strong therapeutic relationships with my clients. I provide an empathic and safe environment that allows for exploration of experiences that may feel threatening or uncomfortable.

My style of therapy draws from a blend of humanistic, constructivist, existential, relational, and psychodynamic approaches. I will work with you to explore how life experiences have contributed to you struggling to make meaning or feeling stuck, which may present itself in a variety of ways, such as depression, relationship issues, anxiety, and so on. I also incorporate a critical approach to psychotherapy that considers you and your experiences through a lens that includes the societal, political, and historical, which allows me to understand you holistically, within your context.

Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and my pets, going for hikes and spending time outdoors, collecting and listening to records, and playing my guitar.

*Dr. Bobak accepts most commercial Aetna, Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UPMC plans. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options. Dr. Bobak is also a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing her to work with clients across most states in the U.S.

As a licensed psychologist, I will help you work through a range of issues, whether that’s depression, anxiety, or any other life transition issue. In each step of your journey, I will encourage self-empowerment and positive growth. I will also work with you to identify the areas of your life that may no longer serve you. I use an integrated psychotherapy method grounded in existential, phenomenological, interpersonal, and gestalt approaches.

I will tailor your treatment to incorporate your worldview, values, and creativity, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. I also incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to ensure that we manage acute suffering along the way. If you’ve ever felt different or marginalized, I am committed to providing you a space that is welcoming and inclusive.

My interests include reading, camping, popular culture, painting, crafting, and playing darts. I also consider myself a life-long learner, and enjoy researching various topics in my free time.

*Dr. Caldwell accepts most commercial Aetna, Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and UPMC plans. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options.

As a licensed psychologist, I strive to provide a warm, safe, and open relationship where we can not only explore existing patterns and problems but also find insight into possible solutions. I work with individuals to empower use of their own unique strength, some which to this point they may be unaware of, to achieve personal goals and find fulfillment. I believe that healing occurs in relation, so I work diligently to attune to my clients. Cultivating a deep understanding of your internal landscape, the context in which you exist, and the lens through which you see the world, helps us move towards shared goals while honoring individuality, autonomy, and identity.

My humanistic constructivist approach to psychotherapy works well for individuals who are struggling with parts of identity, that feel marginalized in society and want to challenge the roles they feel pressured into, those who may be grappling with major lifetransitions, and ultimately those who want to feel more connected with themselves and those around them and confident in their life choices. Additionally, I work well with couples who find that they are having a hard time understanding one another, do not feel like they “click” they way that they used to, and feel that they could benefit from a revitalization of their understanding of themselves and their partners while simultaneously improving communication and attachment.

Outside of my practice, I avidly practice yoga and will soon complete my 200-hour yoga teacher certification and am eager to mindfully incorporate my philosophical and movement oriented learning into therapeutic spaces. Additionally, I enjoy spending time in nature, hiking and kayaking; learning new recipes; traveling; and tending to my plants and pets. You can also find me practicing tarot and listening to Fleetwood Mac.

*Dr. Chase accepts most commercial Aetna, Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UPMC plans. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options. Dr. Chase is also a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing her to work with clients across most states in the U.S.

As a licensed psychologist, I specialize in delivering empathic, client-centered mental health care for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma. As a member of both the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, I bring a unique lived perspective to my work and am deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive, affirming, and evidence-based care that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.

I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches in my work, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma. I also integrate cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies to help individuals build effective coping skills, manage distress, and navigate life’s challenges more confidently.

Personally, I am a proud pet parent and enjoy spending time with my chosen family and friends. Interests and hobbies include going to concerts, dancing, creative activities, going on adventures, leisure hikes, jigsaw puzzles, and playing board games. 

*Dr. Crawford offers appointments only via telehealth and accepts most commercial Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and Aetna plans. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options.  Dr. Crawford is licensed in both Pennsylvania and Illinois, and is a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing her to work with clients across most states in the U.S. 

As a licensed psychologist, I will help you cultivate self-compassion, curiosity, and courage to confront your life challenges. My work with each client is individualized and collaborative depending on a multitude of client factors. My approach is warm, well-rounded, and authentic.

I use an integrated trauma-informed, feminist, humanistic, psychoanalytic, relational, and existential approach to therapy that fosters openness and curiosity. I utilize Interpersonal Process, Internal Family Systems, Dialectical-Behavioral, mindfulness, and somatic approaches to psychotherapy. I enjoy working with clients of any and every background, and have special interests in grief, trauma, eating disorders, life transitions, spirituality, and intersecting identities.

In my free time, you can find me with the trees, plants, rocks, and rivers; creating art; eating, singing, dancing, and laughing with friends; nerding out over herbalism, astrology, spirituality and philosophy; and imagining liberatory futures. I am passionate about weaving ecopsychology and connection with nature into my practice.

*Dr. Edmiston accepts most commercial Aetna and Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options.

As a licensed psychologist, I am passionate about being a therapist because I love connecting with people and experiencing the uniqueness and richness of life with them. Forming genuine and caring relationships is at the core of what makes this work meaningful and drives my intention to provide therapeutically transformative relationships to my clients.

I draw from several psychotherapy approaches including Person/Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Experiential Personal Construct Psychotherapy, Relational Psychoanalysis, and Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy.

I strive to embody wellbeing as a way of life, and I do so through exercise, healthy eating, and a daily meditation practice. In my free time, I enjoy listening to records, dancing to live music, spending time with loved ones, camping and enjoying the outdoors, playing basketball, reading philosophy, and traveling.

*Dr. Graham accepts most commercial Aetna, Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UPMC plans. He also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options. Dr. Graham is also a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing him to work with clients across most states in the U.S.

As a licensed psychologist, I offer a collaborative and supportive space where you can explore your experiences with openness and honesty. My style is warm, grounded, and attuned. I aim to help you feel understood while also gently encouraging new perspectives and possibilities. Together, we will work toward greater clarity, emotional balance, and meaningful change.

My clinical approach is informed by humanistic, existential, and phenomenological perspectives, and draws from psychodynamic, interpersonal, and trauma informed practices. I work with individuals navigating grief and loss, trauma, the complexities of motherhood, relationship challenges, identity concerns, chronic stress, and major life transitions. I strive to build a therapeutic relationship rooted in authenticity, compassion, and curiosity, one that allows you to move through difficult moments with support, intention, and resilience.

Outside of my clinical work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and child, cooking, exploring nature trails, swimming, and relaxing at home with my cats. I also love music, learning, and people watching in just about any setting.

*Dr. Messmer accepts most commercial Aetna, Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and UPMC commercial plans. Dr. Messmer is also a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing her to work with clients across most states in the U.S. She also accepts self-pay and out-of-network options.

As a licensed psychologist, I can help you cope with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and trauma. I also specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, whether in exploring one’s identity, navigating coming out, considering or actively transitioning, relationship and sexual concerns, coping with queerphobia, or looking for connections. I do my best to be genuine, respectful, and honest with my clients so together, we can create a collaborative relationship that allows for vulnerability.

I approach therapy from a relational-existential perspective, also drawing on feminist psychology and trauma-informed practice. In therapy with me, I will help you understand your relationship patterns and empower you to make autonomous, well thought-out decisions in your life, as well as get relief from your symptoms and generally cope better. Coming from a somatic and trauma-informed background means I deeply appreciate the ways our bodies carry the potential for healing within psychotherapy.

As a queer transgender person, I am thankful to be able to give back to my community as an “out” therapist. I believe it is also important to take care of my own well-being, since I’m a person too! I do so by spending time with loved ones, exploring natural spaces, reading, baking, and gardening.

*Dr. Wildman accepts Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield, UPMC, and Aetna commercial plans. They also accept self-pay and out-of-network options. Dr. Wildman is also a certified member of The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing them to work with clients across most states in the U.S.

From the moment we begin working together, I aim to help you open doors to healing and growth in ways you may not have realized were possible. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, or simply want an extra edge in reaching your goals, I am here to help. My style is warm and energetic, and focused on helping you show up as your most authentic self.

In our sessions, we will explore patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to feelings of anxiety and depression. This may involve addressing difficult past experiences, examining triggers, and developing healthy coping strategies. We may also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions, including practicing mindfulness, exploring self-talk, clarifying your values, and sometimes using humor to navigate the uncontrollable aspects of life. I also have experience incorporating Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Neuro-Emotional Technique into therapy when appropriate. These approaches can help clients explore the underlying sources of difficult emotions and work toward reducing emotional stress.

My therapy style is highly collaborative. You are the expert on your own life, and I strive to create a space where we can work together toward your goals. I see clients throughout the teen and adult lifespan and work with a range of issues. With a master's degree in sport psychology, I also have extensive experience working with athletes and other high performers.

In my free time, I enjoy staying active, exploring Pittsburgh, watching sports, and currently trying to learn Spanish!

Adam is currently a doctoral-level trainee in counseling psychology working under the supervision of licensed psychologist Dr. Todd Avellar. Sessions are conducted virtually and offered on a low-cost, sliding-scale basis. Aetna Commercial plans are accepted.

As a psychologist-in-training, I believe healing, understanding, and lasting change emerge through authentic connection and relationship. I strive to create a space where you feel safe enough to be fully yourself, and where difficulties such as anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, or feeling broken are met with compassion, respect, and thoughtful curiosity.

I recognize that life’s challenges can make it difficult to trust your own inner wisdom. My role is to walk alongside you as we explore patterns in your relationships, reconnect with your strengths, and make sense of your experiences through dialogue. Together, we’ll work to ease distress and develop practical ways to navigate difficult emotions, strengthen relationships, and feel more grounded in everyday life.

Along the way, we’ll explore possibilities for new ways of living, relating, and finding meaning. My style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine curiosity. My approach is informed by interpersonal psychoanalytic, relational, and existential-humanistic perspectives.

I work well with people navigating life transitions, relationship concerns, questions of identity or purpose, or feelings of being overwhelmed or stuck. I also welcome those who simply want to understand themselves more deeply. I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan, from early childhood through older adulthood.

Outside of clinical work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga, playing outside, cooking, dancing to live music, and creating jewelry.

Kay is currently a doctoral-level trainee in clinical psychology, working under the supervision of licensed psychologist Dr. Chelsea Chase. Sessions are conducted virtually and offered on a low-cost, sliding-scale basis.

As a psychologist-in-training, I offer a collaborative and non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences with curiosity, openness, and compassion. I believe in meeting you where you are and creating an environment where you feel respected, supported, and free to experience and express your emotions. 

My clinical approach draws from existential and feminist perspectives. In therapy, we will examine the many layers of your identity, while exploring how your experiences, relationships, and environment have influenced the way you think, feel, and navigate the world. I believe our mental health is influenced by both internal and external factors, and I will help you explore these influences. Together, we can consider what gives your life purpose and meaning, and remain open to discovering those sources across all realms of your experience.

I work with individuals across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, identities, and life experiences, and welcome the complexity that comes with being human. I especially welcome those navigating identity exploration, life transitions, traumatic experiences, and/or questions regarding purpose and meaning.

As a therapist who highlights the importance of finding a sense of meaning and purpose in even the little things, I strive to uphold this in my personal life. Therefore, when I am not working or in class, I enjoy sewing, watching movies, spending time with my cat, going on walks, getting lost in a jigsaw puzzle, and listening to music. 

Christi is currently a doctoral-level trainee in clinical psychology, working under the supervision of licensed psychologist Dr. Chelsea Chase. Sessions are conducted virtually and offered on a low-cost, sliding-scale basis.

I serve as Practice Manager at Avellar Warden Psychological Associates. 

I have a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton and 12+ years of experience providing administrative and program support in business and higher education environments. I am committed to fostering a welcoming and well-structured practice environment where both clients and clinicians feel valued and fully supported throughout their experience.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, hiking, volunteering, and working in my garden.