ERIN BLACHE

I'm Erin (she/her/hers). I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in Pittsburgh, PA. I've been practicing therapy since 2008, most recently as the Clinical Director of a reproductive mental health outpatient clinic where I provided treatment, supervision, and training and through which I cofounded a non-profit to amplify access of evidence-based training and support to  families and therapists. Before that I worked with families at a school-based partial hospital program and new parents at a pediatric practice.  

My background is in Contextual Behavioral Science, the science of learning and behavior across evolution, which is applied as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT. ACT  is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes compassion, connection, and flexibility and utilizes what matters to us to engage more deeply and meaningfully in our real lives alongside our suffering and struggles. I find it helpful to talk about evolutionary psychology (our survival-based brains and yearning for interdependence), culture and norms, and the hows and whys of behavior to understand our selves, to connect us to one another, and to get closer to the lives we yearn for. ACT incorporates other evidence-based therapies and approaches like exposure, parent training, behavioral activation, etc. too, and I integrate those based on the work we aim to to together.

I specialize in supporting individuals and couples around 

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• trauma and PTSD

• stress related to reproductive issues like fertility, pregnancy, grief and loss, family building, abortion, birth planning, recovering from a difficult birth, transitioning to new roles, as well as mood and anxiety symptoms commonly experienced in pregnancy and the postpartum period

• parenting stress, approaches, needs, family dynamics, etc.

• relationship and relational issues like navigating boundaries, codependence, and trauma, as well as improving communication, connection, and support

I see folks across Pennsylvania virtually (daytime, weekday only) and have limited in-person appointments in Pittsburgh. I accept many insurances and out of network, out of pocket, or sliding scale options are available. In addition to individual and couples clinical treatment, I provide clinical and reflective supervision for provisional or licensed therapists. I also provide specialized consultation, training, and support to organizations and groups.

I'm earnest, zealous, and wordy, and I treasure laughter in therapy. I aim to offer warmth, acceptance, and authenticity from the jump. I'm an active participant, providing transparent psychoeducation, empathy, and challenge in our sessions. I believe that the therapeutic work we collaboratively do in an hour is most effective if it's helpfully applied in real life, so I'll likely suggest doing things (and reading things) between sessions.

My work informs my non-work life: I travel with my partner and kids as much as I can, liberally celebrate stuff, work hard and fail often at self compassion and mindfulness, and otherwise hang out and dig into connection and fun. I also love to read and learn and hike and explore. In addition to clinical practice, I also provide training and consultation on student mental health for institutions and providers in global education for a company I cofounded, Being Well Abroad.

Email is always the best way to get in touch. Please reach out with questions or to see about meeting: erin@erinblachecounseling.com