Meet Our Clinicians
Paula Kauffman Oberly
LPC, NCC, BCC, ACS
She/Her
Life is complicated with competing demands for our time, energy and resources. Whether you're struggling with a particular issue, or just can't shake the feeling that there should be more to life, she can help you to develop balance in your life, relationships, and career. Paula will provide you with a caring environment to help you identify and overcome issues to achieve your goals and experience success. Her goal is to provide you with the insights and tools you need to be thoughtful in your relationships, reframe thinking, improve communication, develop coping strategies and obtain an authentic balanced life.
Paula has over 15 years of experience helping individuals and families overcome challenges and find resources related to Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders who are preparing for college, are in college or are adults gaining one of these diagnoses for the first time. She has helped youth and adults to reach goals related to Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Social and Educational difficulties related to these situations. She comes from a neuro-affirming stance. While the label may say “disorder” Paula comes from a growth, strength-based, and trauma informed approach.
Paula graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Psychology, and Ohio University with a Master's Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and Iowa. She is also a National Certified Counselor. She holds a certificate as an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Her clinical experience includes private practice, working in client’s homes and community, college counseling center, community mental health outpatient centers, partial hospitalization program and in schools of every grade level. Paula is a Board Certified Coach and served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health program.
As an active member in the counseling community of Pittsburgh. She currently an advisory board member of the Pittsburgh Autistic Adult Research and Community Collaborative (PAARCC). She has held several board positions in the Greater Pittsburgh Counseling Association. Paula is a member of the following professional groups:
Paula adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and National Board of Certified Counselors.
Megan Lindeman
LPC, CRC
She/Her
Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has experience working with children, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds. Megan enjoys working with adults who may be dealing with mental health difficulties and/or who are autistic, experiencing executive functioning difficulties, college students with disabilities, individuals struggling with transitional issues (e.g. new diagnoses, illnesses, emerging adulthood, caring for elderly parents), compassion fatigue, grief, pet loss, and those experiencing employment issues or in need of career counseling. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, client-centered, and solution-focused. Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness approaches are used as well.
Megan graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County with an A.S. in Child and Family Studies, the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology, and a M.S. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Counseling also from Pitt. She adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
Megan is a member of the following professional groups:
Megan believes that people genuinely do the best they can and that we always have an opportunity to learn and improve. We all experience joys and sorrows that can impact our daily functioning. Sometimes these experiences can make us feel “stuck.” Together, we can build a tool box with strategies to empower you in everyday life. A growth-promoting and caring atmosphere will be provided to help you build self-awareness, find inner peace, discover your strengths, and help you find balance in your life.
Megan also provides supervision and hopes to offer supervisees an opportunity to safely explore cases, resources, ethics, and cultural competencies. Some of the focus of supervision will be working together to better develop supervisees’ counseling skills and to build a professional identity as well as an ability to honestly evaluate work and skills. She believes that supervisees develop along a continuum and that learning is a lifelong process. Megan’s approach to supervision is eclectic, humanistic, and relational. We grow together and supervision will allow for self-reflection and self-discovery as well as collaboration.
Jennifer Jasiekiewicz
LPC, LPCC-S, NCC, CCTP
She/Her
Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania, and also holds a professional counseling license, with supervision designation (LPCC-S) in the state of Ohio. She graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, and obtained a Masters of Counseling and Human Development at Walsh University. She has over ten years’ experience through working in community mental health in Ohio, then joining private practice after moving to Pennsylvania. Jennifer provides both mental health counseling and counseling supervision. She works primarily with adults, and also has specific training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).
Jennifer uses a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Art Therapy. Her approach to treatment is eclectic and centered on collaborating with each person to meet their individual needs. She offers opportunities to increase insight and build skills. She has particular experience in working with those facing anxiety, trauma, phase of life issues, depression, and LGBTQIA+ concerns.
“I hope to help you build the confidence and skills you need to manage the stressors in your life. It is my goal to provide a non-judgmental, safe environment to work on whatever is interfering with your happiness. I am someone who enjoys bringing humor into our sessions, and look forward to having the opportunity to get to know you. I hope to help you find the strength and support you need through our sessions together.”
Jennifer adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and National Board of Certified Counselors.
Jennifer is a member of the following professional groups:
Kaitlyn Myers-Brooks
MSEd, LPC, NCC
They/Them/Theirs or She/Her
Kaitlyn "Kait" Myers-Brooks is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a Master of Science in Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Duquesne University. Kait encourages active engagement with the many narratives we create around the personal, professional, and social aspects of our lives, acknowledging the importance of the intersections between ourselves, our relationships, our communities, and our broader society. Collaborating with their clients, Kait provides a creative, accepting space to identify the themes of desired change within the sometimes overwhelming "big picture" of a client's story, offering gentle curiosity to promote the client's problem-solving process, and then working together to define concrete, attainable, therapeutic goals. With each new session, Kait offers accountability and assessment, helping clients to see their own measurable progress forward from what they are experiencing in the present to where they want to be in the future. She empowers clients to identify their own patterns of success and helps them to both recognize and utilize the expertise they already hold within themselves.
Kait endeavors to provide counseling that is accessible and aware of disability activist movements. They use different methods of communication during sessions (such as writing or creative expression) and find ways to respectfully include sociocultural and personal perspectives on any client's difficulties with executive functioning. Kait has predominantly served Autistic and ADHD clients, and works with these clients through a neurodiversity-oriented model, helping each client to assess both what their challenges have been, and where they have previously succeeded not despite, but because of, the way their minds work. Kait is also part of the LGBTQ+ community, and is well versed in appropriate resources, supports, and terminology relating to sexuality, gender identity, polyamory. They actively work to support clients whose lived experience intersects with both the Autistic and LGBTQ+ communities, through both their therapeutic lens as well as their advocacy and education work beyond the office. In addition, Kait enjoys bringing fictional or "geeky" narratives from various forms of media into the therapy session, to help clients better understand themselves and those around them through beloved stories or characters.
Finally, coming from a family with a strong tradition of military service, Kait is privileged to work with veterans and military family members. She excels in understanding intersecting cultural considerations for individuals from this community who may also have a lived experience of neurodivergence or who identify as LGBTQ+. Prior to joining Paula Kauffman Oberly, LPC, LLC Counseling Services, Kait worked for JFCS Career Development Center, Quest Therapeutic Camp and also served as a research assistant at Duquesne University, where she assisted with a study regarding disparate access to care for Autistic youth of color.
Kait adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and National Board of Certified Counselors. They belong to the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, and are part of three ACA Divisions: Military and Government Counseling Association (MGCA) formerly ACEG, National Career Development Association (NCDA), and Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE).
Rachael French
LPC, MSCP
She/Her
Rachael is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with clients facing a range of life’s challenges -- depression, anxiety, peer conflict, communication, transition to college or work, enhancing self-awareness, relationship/family dynamics (separation/divorce), grief, and autism or attention deficit/executive functioning challenges. She works primarily with young adults and their families, adults, parents and couples.
She has a client centered, strengths-based approach that integrates Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She believes that it is critical that the client takes an active role in the counseling process.
Many of her clients are making exciting but often daunting transitions -- either from Jr High to High School, High School to College, or whatever comes next. Change is so often viewed with anxiety and negativity. Yet, change is happening all around us every day. How can we make change a positive experience in our lives? How can we choose to change something that is not working? How can we learn and grow from a challenging experience?
“As a counselor, I believe my job is to create a space where clients can explore these and other topics, in a way that ultimately positively impacts their day to day lives.”
Rachael adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association.
Candice Coughenour, LMFT
Licensed marriage Family therapist
She/Her
Are you struggling to communicate with your partner? Do you feel unheard? Perhaps couples counseling is the next step for you. Candice creates a space for couples to relearn how to communicate with each other in a positive and respectful way. Together partners will explore their communication stances, boundaries, and feelings to understand how it affects the relationship. Couples counseling is a collaborative experience where partners go to be seen and heard and learn from each other.
Candice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art therapy and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage Family therapy, both from Seton Hill University. She views therapy as a safe space for the client and therapist to take a collaborative journey together. This journey is traveled through conversation and mutual puzzling. Together client and therapist will walk a path to a more expansive and positive perspective. Individuals, couples, and families already have the tools, strengths, and power to transform their own lives, therapy is just a way to gain confidence and insight to do so.
She focuses on family systems theory, meaning in therapy she focuses on more than just the client but all the systems and groups that the client belongs to better understand their experience. She believes it is important to understand the impact of family of origin, relationships with friends, dynamics of the workplace, and other environments that you belong to as a way to understand not only how you interact with the world but how the world interacts with you. The goal is to see clients as a whole person across all environments and systems they belong to.
Being very open to different modes of spirituality and healing herself, Candice can bring a more holistic and spiritual approach to therapy if that is something you are interested in or wanting to explore. Candice is certified in Reiki I and II and can offer exploration of energy work and connection to a higher self. Spirituality and therapy very easily go hand and hand; for those of you who are looking to explore chakras, crystals, energy, and other spiritual modalities this might be the route for you.
Candice works with adults, couples, and families through a systemic and collaborative lens and believes in the power of conversation. Candice offers a safe space for clients to work through family conflict, boundary issues, communication issues, anxiety, depression, stress, self-worth, and transitional periods of life.
Candice is also a member of American Counseling Association. She follows the ethical codes for the ACA.
Kaitlyn McInnes, MS, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
She/Her
Kaitlyn McInnes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and then obtained her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University. Her therapeutic approach is holistic, strengths-based, and person-centered, with a basis in cognitive behavioral therapy and health psychology.
Kaitlyn’s experience focuses on work with neurodiverse populations in various settings providing individual, family, and group therapies. She has also had exposure to work in vocational and career counseling with a college population, as well as school-based counseling performing assessments and behavioral modification interventions with children and adolescents diagnosed with co-morbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and other behavioral and executive functioning disorders (ADHD, conduct issues, etc.).
Kaitlyn is well-versed in utilizing cognitive behavioral therapies including trauma-based CBT, applied behavior analysis and behavioral modification techniques, and strength-based modalities. She is also experienced in crisis management and mindfulness practices.
“I enjoy serving a neurodiverse population using a holistic and inclusive approach that is evidenced-based, strengths-based, and individualized based on a person's wants and needs for treatment. I believe in the symbiotic intersection between mind and body where finding equilibrium between the two is vital to achieving balance within one’s life.”
Kaitlyn is also a member of the American Counseling Association.
She adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association.
Aminata Konneh, MS
mental health therapist
She/Her
Aminata Konneh received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Aminata gained a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in Corrections from Holy Family University in 2020. She has a passion for people and is particularly interested in building meaningful relationships and providing care for the individuals she serves.
Aminata has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities develop skills, address milestones, and improve behaviors. In the past 2 years, she has worked as a drug and alcohol therapist. Some of her specialty areas include depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Autism.
She uses a person-centered approach to therapy that requires the therapist to offer support, guidance, and structure so that the client can discover their own solutions and work toward self-discovery. Aminata also incorporates holistic and somatic psychotherapy into her sessions. “My goal is to help you move at your own pace so that we can build a comfortable and meaningful space for you to share.”
Aminata adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association.
Amy Arnold, MS, CRC
mental health therapist
She/Her
Amy views therapy as a collaborative space to explore, grow, and learn together. She strives to provide support, resources, and psycho-education tailored to your individual needs. Whether you're navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, health related concerns, grief, or other challenges, Amy’s here to join you alongside every layer of your experience.
Her therapeutic style is solution-focused and strengths-based. Amy draws from various therapeutic modalities including values-based and person-centered approaches. Therapy can be a space to check-in with yourself and explore not only “What’s not working?” but “What is working?” Amy enjoys incorporating humor when appropriate.
Amy has over 10 years of experience in the higher education and counseling fields. Some of her previous experiences include accessibility services, disability compliance, vocational rehabilitation, and academic coaching. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Psychology and Counseling and Human Services, as well as a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. Amy is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and is pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania.
Amy is a member of the Lehigh Valley Psychological and Counseling Association, Greater Philadelphia Counseling Association, Pennsylvania Counseling Association and American Counseling Association. She adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association and and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
Seeking support takes courage. Amy admires your decision to take this step. Let’s get started.
Ann McKnight, MS
mental health therapist
She/Her
Ann McKnight is a mental health therapist pursuing a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. She holds a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Western University of Pennsylvania, California.
That feeling when you cannot catch your breath and you are frozen … unable to move, to control the thoughts in your mind, or the tears streaming from your eyes. You have been hit with a gut punch, left wondering how to put the pieces back together and, for just one moment, not catch a break; rather, just catch your breath.
As a pre-licensed therapist, my areas of interest include life transitions, women’s issues, dual diagnosis, neurodivergence, sleep-related issues, and relationship conflict. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist. I can adapt to meet your needs where you are right now … wherever that is. I want to understand you and what brought you to me.
If you are here, something is not right in your life, and you have taken the first step to make a change. I say, bring it ... all of it. I am genuine and authentic. I certainly will call you out on your stuff, yet I will help you lean into making a plan to bring forth personal growth.
Ann is a member and active with
She adheres to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association.
Jason Rafalak, LSW, MT
Licensed Social Worker & Board Certified Music therapist
He/Him
Jason Rafalak is a Licensed Music Therapist pursuing a career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania. He holds a Masters in Social Work from Syracuse University and a Bachelors in Music Therapy from Nazareth College. He has over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health, 7 of those years he has worked as a music therapist for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges, using music to process grief and trauma, depression, anxiety, and to build self-esteem.
Jason has years of experience working with clients of diverse backgrounds, particularly focusing on neurodiversity, his areas of interest being autism and ADHD. Jason meets you where you are as an individual, and creates a therapeutic space that is safe and healing. He believes that music (songwriting, improvisation, lyrics analysis, etc.), can be a powerful tool to help people to find their voice.
Jason believes in destigmatizing therapy, and that everyone deserves support when faced with the inevitable challenges life throws at us. Jason doesn’t believe in pathologizing neurodivergence, and seeks to work with individuals to become their fully realized selves.
Jason is a member of the National Association of Social Workers
He adheres to the code of ethics of the
Jessica Lynch
Executive Functioning Coach
She/Her
Jessica has a passion for helping others develop the skills that they need to succeed in school and in life! She earned a Master’s in Education from California University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Jessica spent the majority of her career in mental health working with adolescents and young adults with ADHD and autism. She spent 10 years in the classroom helping students stay organized and guiding them to hit their academic goals by helping them create a toolbox of skills to assist them. After leaving the classroom, Jessica began working with adults primarily focusing on goal setting and goal planning, time management, and organizational skills. Her strength is helping others recognize their strengths and teaching them how to use those strengths to successfully build organizational skills and daily life management skills.
Karrie Breneman
Executive Functioning Coach
She/Her
Karrie believes in using patience and compassion to help kids develop in and out of the classroom. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Duquesne University. Karrie has worked as a special education/life skills teacher for over 15 years, mainly working with children with emotional and intellectual disabilities in middle and high school. This includes ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar, depression, and anxiety. Prior to that she was also a behavior therapist.
Working as an Executive Function Coach has provided Karrie with another exciting opportunity to impact the lives of teens in a positive manner. Using her background and training, Karrie focuses on helping teens to learn organizational skills and daily life and functional management skills. This will help clients move towards achieving their goals of living independent and organized lives.
“Be the change you want to see in the world”- Mahatma Gandhi
Jenn Lee
Client Coordinator
She/Her
Jenn Lee is the lady behind the phone and emails. She helps keep the office running smoothly and works with all incoming clients. She pairs clients with the appropriate counselor or coach to provide the highest level of care. Previous to joining our practice, Jenn worked in the radiology department of West Virginia University Hospitals scheduling patients and verifying insurances.
Jackie McCarthy, MBA
Accounts receivable
She/Her
Effective, motivated and organized are three words to easily describe myself when working in a professional environment. These are three words in which I approach my work and live my everyday life as well. As an energetic individual I like to approach life and my professional career with passion and confidence.
Gabrielle Menuchak
Undergraduate Intern
She/Her
I am currently a senior at Waynesburg University. I am studying Human Services with a psychology minor. I am involved on the cross-country team at Waynesburg. I also plan to further my education and attend graduate school.