Zach Garfinkel
Zach Garfinkel is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Board Certified Counselor (NBCC). Zach’s areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, OCD, autism, couples counseling, grief and loss, PTSD, as well as assisting clients with coping strategies for stress associated with school, career, relationships, and time management challenges.
Zach specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Reality Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Person Centered Therapy. Zach is also working towards incorporating music, and animal therapy into his therapy process.
Zach’s beliefs regarding the therapeutic process consist of establishing a rapport and trust with the client from the very beginning, and meeting the client where they want to start. Zach understands that counseling can feel overwhelming and intimidating, but that it can be highly rewarding once taking that first step. Zach believes that not all clients are built the same, so Zach will tailor his sessions and modalities around that individual to ensure the therapy is authentic and genuine in nature. Zach’s approach to therapy consists of being a fellow traveler on their journey, understanding that therapy is a marathon, and not a race, and illuminating their inner strengths.
Education & Experience
Zach’s educational background includes a Bachelors of Science in Public Relations from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Zach decided to make a career change due to experiencing “a calling” while assisting several close friends during their darkest hours, and most vulnerable moments.
Zach received a State Certification from Maryland as a Substance Abuse Counselor, and worked in the Baltimore area for several years as a drug and alcohol counselor. Zach eventually pursued A Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Prior to joining The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh, Zach has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families for 5 years throughout Pittsburgh. Zach has experience working in the school setting, as well as, working at inpatient, and outpatient facilities.
Hobbies & Interests
Zach enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 month old daughter, as well as their 2 furbabies, Yuki and Zeplyn. Zach enjoys going for walks/hikes with his dogs and family, going to concerts, playing the drums, traveling, seeing new parts of the city since Zach is a transplant from Baltimore, and watching football, baseball and hockey games.
How to Get Started
Zach will be seeing clients in person at our Monroeville location and will also offer Online Therapy. You can reach us at 412-322-2129 or contact us here to schedule an appointment.