Gretchen Shepard MS, LPC
Telehealth and In person sessions
Pronouns: She/Her
Gretchen Shepard is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in PA with over four years of dedicated experience working with adults struggling with substance abuse issues.
Gretchen received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2019 and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University in 2021. During her graduate-level internship, Gretchen primarily worked with teenagers and young adults to work through life changes and identity formation. Her professional journey has included working in various settings
such as community health centers and substance abuse treatment facilities.
Gretchen specializes in working with individuals who struggle with substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions and personal development. She uses a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques to meet the diverse needs of her clients. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and CommitmentTherapy (ACT).
Her integrative approach ensures that therapy is customized to each client's specific circumstances and goals.Gretchen is deeply committed to the belief that everyone has the inherent ability to heal and grow. She focuses on fostering resilience and building on each client’s unique strengths. Gretchen believes that by developing healthier coping mechanisms and addressing underlying issues, clients can achieve lasting change and improved well-being. She is dedicated to providing unwavering support and guidance, helping clients navigate their journeys towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.
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Something you may find interesting about Gretchen is that she studied abroad in Ireland! Gretchen is also native to Pittsburgh and grew up in Penn Hills and moved to Irwin, PA with her fiance and their cat Pickles.
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Some of her favorite quotes are:
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"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." - E.E. Cummings
​“Everything will be okay in the end. If it is not okay, it's not the end." - John Lennon