Provisional Clinical Therapist
Paige Ottaviano, LSW
she/her
Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), including process-based; Strengths-based; Solutions-Focused Therapy; Mindfulness-based therapies; Feminist.
Available intakes within 2 weeks (Evenings Only)
Squirrel Hill + Telehealth hybrid
Aetna, Cigna, United/ UBH, Highmark BC/BS Commercial, UPMC Commercial, Medical Assistance (CCBH — Allegheny County ONLY)
$85-110
My Specialties
Relationships and sex (including poly/kink/non-traditional relationship communities)
Trauma
Grief and loss
LGBTQIA2S+ support
Neurodivergent support (please note our approach is generally therapeutic/acceptance-based, not coaching)
Adjustment, stress, transitions
Anxiety and mood symptoms
Eating Disorders
Student Athletes
A little more about me
Some fun facts Time outside, whether running, walking or camping. Get to know me A little less
Being outdoors is one of my favorite ways to spend time. I especially enjoy running, walking and camping.
What working with me is like A collaborative space where your feedback matters. Explore my approach A little less
I shape therapy around your needs and strengths. I want you to have room to be vulnerable, feel supported and tell me what is or is not working. Our sessions can hold difficult emotions while also making space for warmth and humor. Together, we can explore what you are moving through at a pace that feels right for you.
What matters to me Connection through grief, change and uncertainty. Read my story A little less
I earned my master’s in social work at the University of Pittsburgh, with a focus on mental health. My experiences of grief have shaped my appreciation for connection and for having help carrying difficult emotions. As a white, cisgender, straight-presenting woman, I recognize that I benefit from privilege. I take responsibility for continuing to learn and examine my assumptions, rather than asking clients to do that work for me.
Open a card to read more, at your own pace.
"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet."
-- MAYA ANGELOUThe person behind the practice
Paige, in her own words.
A few reflections on what brings me to this work and how I show up in therapy.
When emotions feel too heavy to carry alone
“the importance of connection and the ability to hold each other up”
Paige Ottaviano, LSW (she/her)
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Was there an experience, relationship or period in your life that changed how you understand healing and connection?
My personal experience with intense grief as a young adult has shaped how I view healing both personally and professionally. Watching various loved ones struggle with loss in different ways has forced me to consider the importance of connection and the ability to hold each other up when carrying our own emotions becomes too heavy. My hope is to help my client's hold the emotions they have been struggling with to eventually make the burden a little easier to carry and process.
Making room for the discomfort of growth
“My job is to sit in these uncomfortable moments with clients”
Paige Ottaviano, LSW (she/her)
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What kinds of experiences, questions or transitions do you have particular patience and curiosity for?
Many of my clients are experiencing some sort of life transition, whether this be into adulthood, becoming a parent, or navigating a more authentic version of themselves. Any of these are usually indicative of intense feelings of overwhelm. My job is to sit in these uncomfortable moments with clients and help them in tolerating what is usually the discomfort of growth.
Warmth, safety and a little fun
“authentic to their experience without fear of judgement”
Paige Ottaviano, LSW (she/her)
Read my reflection Close reflection
If a client described you after their first few sessions, what would you hope they would say?
My hope is that a client would find our therapeutic space to be warm, welcoming, and safe. I above all want someone to feel they have a place to be authentic to their experience without fear of judgement and maybe even have fun in the process.
Recognising what has been asked of you
“recognize this and have it witnessed by another individual.”
Paige Ottaviano, LSW (she/her)
Read my reflection Close reflection
How do you help someone move away from asking, “What is wrong with me?” and toward understanding what they have adapted to or survived?
Throughout work with a client we will consistently come back to placing them in context to their environment and what has been demanded of them in order to move in and out of their day to day experience. Many times, this is the first time a client has been able to slow down in order to recognize this and have it witnessed by another individual. We strive to create a consistent place for a client to hold the unfairness of their situation while also building a practice of self-compassion to acknowledge the lengths they have gone through to endure this.