Casey Watkins

M.S., LAPC, NCC

Casey Watkins

M.S., LAPC, NCC

Pre-Licensed Psychotherapist

412-204-6244
casey.watkins@awcpittsburgh.com

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

As a counselor, my goal is to create a respectful and affirming environment with my clients. I believe the therapeutic relationship is central to the counseling process and hope to encourage empowerment through respect, kindness, and equity. I value authenticity and encourage open and honest communication with my clients. 
 
I try to show up authentically each session to show that I am a person, just like you. I don’t pretend to be an expert, because YOU are the expert on your life. My therapeutic environment is based on equality between me and my clients. You should feel respected and heard as an individual and not as “Patient X with X diagnosis.” I prioritize earning my clients’ trust – which is a privilege, not a right – because therapy is personal, and I want to support you where you are. I use a lot of humor and empathy in sessions to make the process more comfortable, because 
sometimes therapy is awkward. And that’s ok! Change can only happen when we’re uncomfortable enough to take action, and we will navigate that process together. 
 
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I know how important it is for mental health therapists to affirm and support individuals who often feel dismissed or disparaged. I spent a large portion of my graduate studies researching and developing strategies to improve care for LGBTQIA+ folks, such as by designing a school-based LGBTQIA+ teen support group and presenting at the 2022 SAIGE (the American Counseling Association Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities) national conference. 
Approach to Therapy 
My practice is grounded in person-centered therapy in which we focus on individual strengths to support personal growth. From a relational perspective, we explore how relationships contribute to our personal development, affect our sense of self, and influence our confidence in maintaining helpful boundaries. Using techniques from ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), I encourage mindfulness and focus on the present, acceptance of thoughts and feelings, and intentional changes that move you towards personal growth. With a trauma-informed mindset, I incorporate engagement with the mind-body connection to increase a sense of internal balance and regulation. 
Age Groups
Adolescents
Young Adults
Adults
Age 12-18
Age 19-25
Age 26+

Specialties

  • LGBTQIA+ counseling
  • Bipolar disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Emotional regulation
  • Trauma survivors

Can Also Work With

  • Self-esteem challenges
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depressive disorders
  • Neurodiversity
  • Relational challenges
  • Families

Insurances Covered:

  • Optum

  • Aetna

  • Cigna

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