PKO Counseling Services

Announcements and What's New

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We have several specular groups available as the new year starts. Please reach out to ask questions and get signed up!

Early Registration for Healthy Helpers Annual Self Care Retreat Begins April 1st, 2026

Early Bird Rate (Beginning April 1 - April 30, 2026): $275
Standard Rate (May 1 – August 31, 2026): $300

Click here to learn more and register.

We hope to see you Saturday September 12th.

Finding Healing Together: Introducing Our New “Healing from Grief and Loss” Support Group

Grief touches every part of us—mind, body, and spirit. Whether from the loss of a loved one, a life transition, or another deeply felt change, navigating grief can be an isolating and overwhelming experience. Our new Healing from Grief and Loss group was created to offer a compassionate, supportive space for individuals to move through their grief with understanding, connection, and empowerment.

Our Purpose

This group exists to help participants build resilience and reclaim a sense of balance while honoring their unique grief journeys. Through shared experiences, guided discussions, and practical tools, our goal is to help each participant:

  1. Increase coping skills and emotional regulation strategies to better manage the intensity of grief-related emotions, triggers, and life changes.

  2. Experience a safe, structured, trauma-informed environment where they can process grief in its many forms—whether recent or long-term, visible or invisible, expected or unexpected.

What to Expect

The group is designed to blend education, reflection, and experiential learning. Each session offers intentional time for connection, practice, and growth.

1. Psychoeducation on Grief Models

Understanding the landscape of grief helps normalize the process. Participants will explore various models of grief—such as the Dual Process Model, Continuing Bonds Theory, and newer frameworks that reflect the nonlinear, personalized nature of loss. These insights help demystify grief and reduce feelings of confusion or “doing it wrong.”

2. Mindfulness and Grounding Strategies

When grief waves rise, it can be hard to find solid ground. Mindfulness and grounding tools help participants stay connected to the present moment and their bodies, soothing overwhelming emotions. Practices may include mindful breathing, sensory awareness, and gentle visualization exercises to restore a sense of safety and calm.

3. Expressive Techniques

Expression is an essential part of healing. The group will incorporate creative and reflective practices—such as journaling, art, storytelling, or letter writing—to give voice to grief in ways words alone cannot. These techniques allow emotions to be witnessed, honored, and gradually transformed.

Why Join This Group

Grief can make us feel alone, but healing happens in connection. This group provides not only education and coping tools but also the powerful reminder that you are not walking this path by yourself. Each participant’s story contributes to a shared landscape of hope, resilience, and renewal.

Whether you’re in the early days of loss or seeking to understand long-standing grief, this group offers a compassionate environment for healing, meaning-making, and growth.

Together, we can learn to carry grief with gentleness—and rediscover the capacity for life after loss.

Play Strong: Master Your Mind, Master Your Game

Being a student-athlete demands more than just physical strength, speed, and skill. The greatest competitors know that true performance begins with a strong mind. Navigating the pressures of competition, academics, and personal life requires a specific set of mental skills.

That's why we're proud to introduce Play Strong: Mental Skills for Athletes—a virtual group designed to help high school and college athletes unlock their full potential both on and off the field.What is Play Strong?

This is not just another training session. Play Strong is an intensive, skills-based virtual group focused entirely on the mental aspect of your performance. Over 8 virtual group sessions, you will learn proven techniques to build the internal strength required to thrive under pressure.

The group focuses on key areas essential for athlete success:

  • Confidence Building: Develop an unshakable belief in your abilities, even after a mistake or setback.

  • Resilience: Learn to manage disappointment, bounce back quickly from challenges, and maintain a positive outlook.

  • Laser Focus: Master the ability to block out distractions, stay present, and perform at your peak in crucial moments.

  • Performance Anxiety: Acquire strategies to manage nerves, turn anxiety into fuel, and perform freely.

  • Mindset & Identity: Cultivate a growth mindset that pushes you past your perceived limits and defines you by more than your last performance.

Who is this Group For?

Play Strong is specifically designed for high school and college athletes ready to invest in their mental game. Whether you are dealing with performance anxiety, struggling with consistency, or simply looking for a mental edge, this group will provide you with the tools to elevate your game.

Group Details:Facilitator: Alyssa Kline, LAPC

  • Sessions: 8 virtual group sessions

  • Schedule: Alternating Monday evenings at 5pm (Virtual)

  • Investment: Aetna & Highmark accepted or $35 per session

  • How to Join: Ready to gain the mental edge? Register for the group via our [contact form] or email us at info@pkocounselingservices.com.

Don't let the mental side of the game hold you back. Play Strong is your opportunity to build the confidence, resilience, and focus you need to be successful—in your sport and in life.

Parenting as (and Reparenting) Your AuDHD Self: Finding Your Village

Parenting is a beautiful, messy, and undeniably hard journey for everyone. But for those navigating their own Autism and/or ADHD, the emotional, sensory, and executive function demands can feel exponentially heavier. When your child is also AuDHD, it can feel like you're speaking two different languages in the same chaotic house.

You don’t have to do it alone. 💛

We are creating a safe, understanding space for parents like you with the launch of Parenting as (and Reparenting) Your AuDHD Self—a 6-week virtual support group designed specifically for Autistic and ADHD parents & guardians of AuDHD children.

Here, you will find a non-judgmental environment to connect with others who truly get it.

What You Will Gain in the Group:

  • Reflect on Your Own Neurodivergent Experiences: Understand how your own AuDHD traits impact your parenting style and learn to honor your needs while meeting your child's. This group recognizes the vital connection between Parenting your child and Reparenting yourself.

  • Find Support for Day-to-Day Joys & Challenges: Share the specific highs and lows of AuDHD family life, from managing transitions and emotional regulation to celebrating unique strengths and interests.

  • Connect with Other AuDHD Parents: Build a supportive community that understands the reality of neurodivergent family life—a place where you can drop the mask and be fully seen.

  • All Are Welcome: Whether you have a formal diagnosis or identify as self-diagnosed, your experience is valued here.

Group Logistics:

  • Format: 6-week virtual support group

  • Duration: 60 minutes per session

  • Schedule: Alternating Mondays

  • Time: 3pm or 6pm (to be determined by participant interest)

  • Platform: Telehealth

Ready to find your village and transform the way you parent? Contact us today to express your interest and help us finalize the best time for the group.

 
 

6 Weeks Strong: The College Student’s Game Plan for a Successful Semester

College is a time of immense growth, but it's also a serious test of executive function skills. Suddenly, you're responsible for balancing complex academic schedules, long-term projects, social life, and self-care—all without a parent or high school teacher constantly reminding you.

If your student is struggling to launch, is overwhelmed by the semester's workload, or simply wants a reliable system to stay on top of everything, they need more than just willpower. They need a plan, structure, and accountability.

Introducing 6 Weeks Strong, a virtual executive function coaching group designed specifically for college students who are ready to take control of their success.

What is 6 Weeks Strong?

Led by Caitlin Ortis, MA, this is a focused, 6-week virtual coaching experience built to tackle the core challenges of college life head-on. It’s a dedicated space where students build the foundational skills necessary to thrive academically and reduce their daily stress.

Over six weekly 1-hour sessions, participants will:

  • Master Time Management: Move beyond simple calendars to create a schedule that honors their energy, focus, and deadlines.

  • Improve Organization: Develop sustainable systems for notes, digital files, and physical materials to reduce "lost time" searching for things.

  • Learn Prioritization: Discern between what’s urgent and what’s important to make strategic choices about where to spend their time and energy.

  • Build Study Habits: Adopt effective, evidence-based study strategies that lead to deeper learning and better test results.

  • Stay Motivated: Benefit from the support and accountability of a private community and a dedicated coach to keep momentum going all semester long.

Why Now?

The skills learned in this group are not just for a good semester; they are life skills. When students learn to manage their time, organize their world, and prioritize their tasks, they gain the confidence and competence needed for their entire academic and professional life.

For Parents: If you are watching your student struggle or if you are still acting as their primary "executive function support" from a distance, this group offers a powerful solution. Have a conversation with your student today about the value of investing in these skills. It’s an opportunity to empower them with independence and self-management.

For College Students: You deserve to feel competent, capable, and in control of your academic life. Stop stressing and start succeeding.

Group Details:

  • Facilitator: Caitlin Ortis, MA

  • Format: 6 Weekly 1-Hour Virtual Sessions

  • Investment: $50/session ($300 Total)

  • Next Steps: Ready to build more structure, accountability, and success this semester? Reach out today to express your interest and find out the TBD session time.

To enroll or learn more, please contact us at info@pkocounselingservices.com

 
 
 
 

Ditch the Distractions: Why Our Virtual Body Doubling is Your Secret Weapon for Focus

Do you have a to-do list that’s gathering dust? Does the thought of starting a tedious task like sorting emails or writing a paper feel overwhelming? If you find yourself procrastinating even on things you want to get done, you're not alone. The problem often isn't laziness—it's a lack of focus and the feeling of isolation when tackling a difficult task.

Enter Virtual Body Doubling.

It’s a simple, powerful concept that’s backed by the science of accountability.What is Body Doubling and Why Does it Work?

Body doubling is the practice of completing tasks or work while another person is physically or virtually present. This technique is especially helpful for those with ADHD or other executive function challenges, but it benefits anyone who struggles with:

  • Initiating Tasks: The presence of another person acts as a non-judgmental nudge, making it easier to start the work.

  • Maintaining Focus: Knowing someone else is present and focused creates a shared, quiet container of productivity.

  • Reducing Distraction: The awareness of being "watched" (even casually) can keep your mind from wandering to social media or other non-essential tasks.

The presence of the "double" serves as an external source of focus and activation, helping to kickstart your brain's executive function. Get Focused 3 Times a Week with Coach Caitlin

We’re excited to offer our virtual body doubling sessions three times a week, making it easier than ever to fit consistent focus time into your busy schedule.

And guiding these sessions is our phenomenal Coach Caitlin.

Why sign up for sessions with Coach Caitlin?

While the core principle of body doubling is simply the presence of another person, Coach Caitlin brings so much more to your focus time:

  • Expert Support: Coach Caitlin has a deep understanding of executive function challenges and the mental roadblocks that lead to procrastination. Her presence ensures a consistent, calm, and productive atmosphere.

  • A Structure for Success: She facilitates the sessions with a light, clear structure, helping the group set intentions at the start and briefly check-in at the end, providing just the right amount of accountability.

  • Consistency You Can Rely On: By showing up three times a week, you build a powerful new habit. Coach Caitlin's regular presence makes it easier for you to establish this routine and maintain momentum on your projects.

Don't let the administrative tasks, writing projects, or study time pile up any longer. Join Coach Caitlin and a supportive community of individuals ready to tackle their to-do lists together.

Ready to transform your productivity? Visit our contact page or email us today (info@pkocounselingservices.com) to find the schedule and sign up for your first virtual body doubling session!

 
 

From Clinician to CEO of Your Own Day: Mastering Administrative Overwhelm with Executive Function Coaching

As a mental health clinician, your primary focus is on your clients. Yet, the reality of running a practice—or simply managing a caseload—involves a heavy, non-negotiable administrative load. If you're a therapist who feels like you’re drowning in documentation, constantly chasing late notes, or struggling to manage scheduling and treatment planning, you are not alone! We know that this struggle often isn't a lack of commitment; it's a gap in Executive Functioning (EF) Skills applied to the business of clinical work. That’s why we created our highly successful coaching group: Executive Functioning Skills for Clinicians. This group is designed with a core truth in mind: Because clinicians need systems, too! Addressing the The Vicious Cycle of Administrative Overwhelm.

Many clinicians struggle with the systems and strategies needed to manage the administrative demands of their work. This includes essential tasks like

  • Documentation and Note Completion

  • Prioritizing and Time Management

  • Organization and Planning (especially around treatment planning)

When these tasks pile up, it leads to burnout, stress, and less energy for the clinical work you actually love. Our coaching group is built to break this cycle. What Makes This Coaching Group So Successful?Led by Caitlin Ortis, MA, this virtual workshop-style group gives you direct, practical tools you can implement immediately. It is specifically designed to help clinicians find systems and address strategies to manage their executive function challenges.

In our monthly virtual workshops, you will learn to:

  • Build Your Own Clinical Workflow: Create a step-by-step process that moves from session to note completion seamlessly.

  • Customize Your Documentation Systems: Finally conquer the documentation beast with practical EF skills that increase efficiency and reduce overwhelm.

  • Master Foundational EF Skills: Address core areas like prioritizing and planning so you can leave work at work and reclaim your evenings.

Group Details:This is a small, collaborative space where clinicians come together to stop feeling scattered and start feeling strategic.

  • Format: Monthly Virtual Workshops

  • Cost: $50 per session

  • Registration: Ready to find clarity and take control of your administrative work? Fill out our contact form or email info@pkocounselingservices.com to sign up.

 
 

The Annual Health Helpers Retreat: Renewing the Heart of the Healer

As a mental health clinician, you pour your empathy, expertise, and energy into helping others navigate their most challenging moments. But who takes care of the person holding that space? The emotional and administrative demands of the profession can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout, ultimately affecting the quality of care you provide.

The truth is, self-care isn't a luxury; it's a professional necessity.

That’s why we host the Annual Health Helpers Self-Care Retreat—a restorative experience dedicated exclusively to mental health professionals like you. It is a vital investment in your well-being, your career longevity, and the ethical commitment you have to your clients.

Beyond a Break: What the Retreat Offers

Our retreat is meticulously designed to move beyond simple relaxation and provide a structured, purposeful opportunity for renewal. Here’s what sets the experience apart:

  • Earn Essential Continuing Education (CE) Credits: We understand your time is valuable. The retreat integrates accredited CE sessions focused on advanced self-care techniques, burnout prevention, and ethical considerations for clinician wellness. You return to your practice both refreshed and professionally developed.

  • Genuine Rejuvenation: Step away from the screens, the paperwork, and the constant emotional demands. Our program offers curated activities—from gentle movement and mindfulness practices to creative workshops—all designed to soothe the nervous system and replenish your emotional reserves.

  • Develop a Concrete Prevention & Self-Care Plan: This is the most crucial takeaway. You won't just feel good during the retreat; you will leave with a personalized, actionable self-care and prevention plan. This strategy is tailored to the specific stressors of your practice, ensuring you can sustain your well-being and peak performance long after you return home.

Be the Best Clinician for Your Clients

When you prioritize your well-being, you increase your capacity for empathy, improve your focus, and reduce the risk of clinical errors. A clinician who is well-resourced is a clinician who can fully show up for their clients.

The Annual Health Helpers Self-Care Retreat is more than just a getaway—it’s an intentional step toward ethical, sustainable practice. Join us to reconnect with your own needs, fortify your inner resources, and return ready to give your best to the clients who depend on you.

Dates and registration details for the next annual retreat will be announced soon! Follow us or visit our site for updates on how to secure your spot.

 
 
 

Pennsylvania Counseling Association- Outstanding Practitioner Award for 2025

Celebrating Excellence in the Counseling Profession

The PCA Outstanding Practitioner Award honors an exceptional professional counselor for outstanding service to the counseling profession. We are thrilled to share that Paula Kauffman Oberly was selected as the 2025 recipient of this prestigious award by the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.

This recognition reflects Paula’s unwavering commitment to ethical practice, professional leadership, and meaningful impact within our community. Her work continues to elevate standards of care and advocacy across the field.

Excellence runs deep in our practice—this honor builds on a proud legacy, as Kaitlyn Myers-Brooks received the same award in 2022. We are grateful to be part of a team consistently recognized for service, integrity, and dedication to the profession.

Please join us in congratulating Paula on this well-deserved achievement! 🎉

Celebrating Our Founder’s Achievement!

We are proud to share that our founder, Paula Kauffman Oberly, has been nominated for the South West Regional Chamber of Commerce Excellence Award – Woman of the Year 2025!

This recognition highlights Paula’s dedication to advancing mental health awareness, supporting neurodiversity, and fostering collaboration within our community. Her leadership continues to inspire our team and strengthen our mission to make mental health services more inclusive, ethical, and accessible.

Please join us in congratulating Paula on this well-deserved honor!

PKO Counseling is looking for team members! Please reach out with questions or interest.

 

We are hiring part-time and full-time therapists. We need daytime, evening and Saturday hours. Looking for therapists who have expertise in any of the following areas, EMDR, yoga therapy, art therapy, couples therapy, or OCD.

We officially opened our new doors on January 1, 2025. We hosted an open house at the end of April! Thank you to the SWR Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting event.

Closed Groups

If you have interest in any of our closed groups, please let us know. If there is interest, we will run the group again!

Reauthoring the story of ADHD

Are you a college student trying to find ways to manage all of the competing demands? Do you miss opportunities to connect with friends? Do you feel like your missing out on opportunities because you can’t get it together? This group will help you with the support of others feeling the same way. Together we will explore motivation, develop skills, take action and build confidence for managing academics, social, work, and life.

You do not need an ADHD diagnosis to need some help with executive functioning. All of us can benefit from fine tuning and learning some new strategies. In this group we will share tips among group members, support one another in our journey of accepting our unique brain, and take action!

Currently Closed

We support neurodivergent people and their families. Counseling can take many forms including individual, couples, family, and group! Right now we have a monthly group for Siblings of Autistic Adults that meets virtually on the second Monday of every month over lunch, 12- 12:45pm. The cost is $10 per group. You must register ahead of time to gain virtual access. Email info@pkocounselingservices.com

This Group is Closed

Do you find falling asleep difficult? Does your mind race as you lay down and hope to get some rest? Want to learn about sleep hygiene? This group will aide in developing strategies to fall asleep, and get back to sleep if you wake during the night.

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Coaching Services

 
 

The support of our executive functioning coaches can help you attain habits to reach those goals you are thinking about right now. Our coaches will join you in your journey and provide you the accountability and strategies to live the intentional, healthy and satisfied life you are looking for. Email us with questions, info@pkocounselingservices.com.

 
 
 

Beyond the Basics: What Makes PKO's Executive Function Coaching Unique in Pittsburgh

Are you or a loved one struggling to get started, stay on track, or manage the daily demands of life, school, or work? For many, the challenge isn't a lack of knowledge, but a gap in executive function (EF) skills—the mental tools that help us plan, organize, prioritize, and see tasks through to completion.

While executive function coaching is becoming more common, the services at PKO Counseling & Coaching Services stand out in the Pittsburgh region. We don't just offer standard coaching; we provide a holistic, integrated approach that is unmatched.

Here is what makes our executive function coaching truly unique:

1. The Power of Integrated Care and Expert-Led Groups

PKO offers both individual counseling and executive function coaching. Our clients have the distinct advantage of accessing both services under one roof, often with a reduced rate for coaching when using our counseling services. This ensures your support is comprehensive and coordinated.

Furthermore, we offer specialized group programs that go beyond the one-on-one session:

  • Virtual Body Doubling: This is a truly innovative and effective offering. Designed especially for those with ADHD and executive function concerns, these virtual sessions help you overcome distractions and find the focus to complete tasks simply by working alongside others. The sessions are facilitated by a professional executive function coach who helps participants set clear goals and provides supportive accountability, making the program uniquely effective.

2. Neurodivergence-Affirming and Experienced Coaches

Our commitment to the neurodivergent community is central to our practice. We understand that issues like sensory differences and executive function challenges influence mood, relationships, and overall wellness.

Our coaching groups are led by experts like Caitlin Ortis, a professional executive function coach with eight years of experience supporting neurodivergent learners. Caitlin is also actively pursuing her doctorate in Higher Education, specifically researching neurodivergent student success, ensuring our programs are built on both professional expertise and cutting-edge research.

3. Comprehensive Support for All Stages of Life

Executive function challenges don't stop after college. PKO offers coaching support that reaches beyond students, including a specialized group for clinicians to help them manage the administrative demands, documentation, and scheduling that often overwhelm mental health professionals.

Whether you are a student striving for better grades, an adult looking to increase productivity, or a fellow clinician needing systems support, PKO provides the structured, professional, and uniquely supportive coaching you need.

Ready to move from "knowing what to do" to "actually getting it done?" Reach out to PKO Counseling & Coaching Services today to find out how our distinct executive function coaching can be a game-changer for you.


Paula Kauffman Oberly