A Pittsburgh Counseling Practice Built Around One Idea That people start to heal the moment they feel heard.
MK Counseling Services is a group practice in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. We work with children, teens, and adults across a wide range of mental health needs, and we’ve been doing it for over 22 years.
We’re not a one-size-fits-all practice. Every person who walks through our door, or shows up on a screen, gets matched with a counselor who truly fits what they’re going through.
Where It Started.
Mandy Kushner founded MK Counseling Services after more than two decades of watching what happens when people finally feel understood in a therapy room.
Clients who had been stuck for years started moving. People who had tried therapy before and written it off gave it one more chance, and something shifted. Not because of a technique or a credential, but because someone sat with them and actually listened.
That’s the foundation MK Counseling was built on. And it’s still what drives every hire, every approach, and every session.
Mandy holds an MS in Professional Counseling from Carlow University and a BS in Psychology from LaRoche University. Her credentials include LPC-S, ART Trained, CCTP, and CBT-C. She’s one of the few ART-trained therapists in the Pittsburgh area, a modality that helps many clients process trauma in just 2 to 5 sessions.
What We Believe
You deserve to feel heard, not just assessed.
Every session starts with listening. Not diagnosis, not advice, not a checklist. Before anything else, you need to feel like what you’re carrying actually matters to the person across from you. That’s non-negotiable here.
The right fit changes everything.
Therapy doesn’t work if the relationship doesn’t work. That’s why we built a team. Five counselors with different styles, backgrounds, and specialties, so there’s always someone right for what you’re facing. If one counselor isn’t the right fit, another one will be.
Real change is possible.
We’re not here to help you manage your symptoms forever. We’re here to help you actually move through them. That means using approaches that produce results, not just feel comfortable.
You set the pace.
Nothing happens in a session that you’re not ready for. You’re in control of how deep you go and how fast you move. Our job is to walk alongside you, not ahead of you.
Why We Built a Team
A solo practice can only go so far. One therapist can’t be the right fit for everyone, and when you’re already struggling, spending weeks trying different counselors before finding the right one makes everything harder.
MK Counseling was built differently. Four counselors. Distinct specialties. One intake process that matches you with the right person from the start.
If you’re an adult working through trauma, Mandy’s ART training may be exactly what you need. If your teenager is struggling with anxiety or OCD, Diana or Maddy works specifically with that population. If you’re navigating grief, relationship breakdown, or a major life shift, Chris brings a depth of experience with exactly those concerns.
The practice grows, but the standard doesn’t change. Every counselor we bring on shares the same belief: that the right therapeutic relationship is what makes the work possible.
Find the Right Therapist for You!
The right therapist makes a real difference. Our team brings together four counselors with different styles, specialties, and backgrounds, so there’s always someone right for what you’re facing.
Mandy Kushner, LPC-S
Trauma, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, phobias, ART therapy, and telehealth across Pennsylvania.
Diana Simpson, LPC
OCD, anxiety, ADHD, perfectionism, self-esteem, body image struggles | Teens and young adults | Telehealth.
Chris Koska, LPC
Grief, depression, anxiety, couples counseling | In-person and telehealth.
Maddy Clines, MA
Children, teens, self-esteem, confidence, anxiety, ADHD | In-person and telehealth.
Alaina Schrader, LPC
ADHD, neurodiversity, perinatal mental health | Telehealth | Currently full, waitlist available.
Serving Pittsburgh and Beyond
MK Counseling Services is located at 135 Cumberland Rd, Suite 102 in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, serving families across Pittsburgh, Allison Park, and the surrounding area.
Telehealth sessions are available for Pennsylvania residents who prefer to meet online. Mandy sees all telehealth clients personally. Other counselors offer a mix of in-person and telehealth. Check individual profiles for availability.
We accept: Aetna, Anthem, Highmark BCBS, Cigna, United/Optum, UPMC
Getting started is straightforward. Fill out the appointment request form and tell us a little about what you’re looking for. We’ll match you with the right counselor and reach out to schedule your first session.