Hi, I’m Anna Deeds, LPC. I started Deeds Counseling in January of 2013. In fact, I’m the only counselor at Deeds Counseling. Eventually, I plan to add other counselors. But for now I’m the only one. I’ll share a little of my background with you on this page. I’ll tell you about my credentials, my education and my work experience. I’ll also share a little about what I’m like as a counselor and as a person. Finally, I’ll share a bit about my therapy style, my specialties and what sets my practice apart from others.
My Credentials
First, I should explain that the “LPC” after my name stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been licensed in the state of Pennsylvania since 2011. To become a licensed counselor, you have to get a Master’s degree, complete a Practicum and an Internship, pass an exam and work under a licensed supervisor for a minimum of 2 years or 3000 hours. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.
This is my current counseling license:
Verify My License
You can verify that I have a counseling license by calling the PA Department of State or visiting the PA state website. The number to verify a license is 1-833-DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762).
You can verify my license online at the PA state website. Once on the website, choose “State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors” for Board/Commission. License type is “Professional Counselor.” Enter “Deeds” for last name and “Anna” for first name. That is enough information to find me. However, you can also enter United States for country, Pennsylvania for state, Fayette for county, Uniontown for city, 15401 for zip code and/or PC005996 for license number.
My Education
I went to Marymount University in Virginia for my undergraduate degree. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, which means with Highest Honors. I think I was on the Dean’s list every semester but one when I took 18 credit hours. You usually take 15 credit hours a semester so I think I was just overloaded that semester.
Here are some pictures of Marymount University:
It is a beautiful university. I really enjoyed my time there. Marymount is a small, Catholic school just outside Washington D.C. I went there from 1991 to 1995.
I went to Duquesne University for my Master’s degree in 2006. My degree is a Master of Science in Education but it’s not a teaching degree. Counseling degrees at Duquesne are under Education. The program is called Counselor’s Education.
Here’s my degree from Duquesne:
I graduated in December of 2008. I loved going to Duquesne too. I really enjoy going to school. I would’ve made a career out of going to school if it paid anything. LOL. But it costs you instead.
Here’s some pictures of Duquesne University:
Duquesne is a CACREP accredited university. CACREP stands for Council for the Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. Basically, the accreditation says that Duquesne meets the qualifications to educate counselors. They have to offer certain counseling courses and have a 60 credit hour program to qualify.
I was able to take my licensing exam right after graduation because Duquesne is CACREP accredited. Normally, you have to wait until after you complete 3,000 supervised hours as a counselor. This is an advantage because it’s easy to forget a lot of stuff in 2 years.
Another advantage is that you are able to get certified as a NCC after the exam. NCC stands for National Certified Counselor. I didn’t keep the NCC certification after I was licensed though.
My Work Experience
I have worked in the field of counseling for over 20 years. While attending Marymount University, I worked with children. I also completed an internship and volunteered at a crisis hotline. After graduating, I worked with autistic children. I really wanted to work with adults more than children but I often couldn’t find work with adults when I only had an undergraduate degree.
When I went to graduate school, I was employed part-time as Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS) for children with autism and other mental health issues and at a partial hospitalization program for adults. During my last year of graduate school, I completed an internship at Tadiso, a methadone clinic in Pittsburgh. When I started at Tadiso, I was an addiction specialist. After 6 months, I got the position of Partial Hospitalization Coordinator.
In 2009, I left Tadiso to work at ASI, a methadone clinic closer to her home. I worked at ASI for 3 1/2 years. I was an addiction specialist my first 2 1/2 years at ASI and a Partial Hospitalization Coordinator my last year. Overall, I worked in the field of addiction for more than 5 years.
After leaving ASI, I began my private practice. I was a little burned out from working in the field of addiction for so many years and I wanted to try something different. But I couldn’t find a counseling job in Uniontown that paid enough to even cover my bills. I thought I might as well give private practice a try.
What I Am Like as a Counselor…
I see a lot of clients with anxiety. The unknown can be terrifying for someone with anxiety. And meeting someone new can be a nightmare for someone with social anxiety. So, I thought I’d share a few details about me to help any potential clients get comfortable with me before making an appointment.
I take a collaborative approach to counseling, focusing on wellness and helping clients develop healthier coping skills and make cognitive and behavioral changes that will help them meet their goals. I begin the counseling process by asking some questions about your family, social and personal relationships, education and employment history and other background information. I will also ask about your goals and objectives as these will be the focus of your therapy sessions.
What I Am Like as a Person…
As a person, I’m quiet and introspective. I’m definitely an introvert. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy social interaction. It just means I need to recharge my batteries by having some time alone after spending time with family or friends. It’s the same for me with work. People who know me well know I need 30 minutes to an hour after work by myself before I want to talk to anyone.
At home and work, I like to be comfortable. I’m not the type of person to wear a business suit at work. I usually wear jeans and a t-shirt or sweater depending on the weather. At home, I usually wear sweatpants and a t-shirt.
In my spare time, I like to travel and see new places. I love going to new restaurants. I like to read but don’t often have time for it. I like to write too. Another hobby of mine is website designing. I have several websites for counseling and counselors. I like alternative music and classic rock from the 70s.
My Therapy Style
I believe a trusting relationship is essential to the counseling process. I listen attentively to my clients and help them identify goals. My individual clients struggle with anxiety, worry, intense sadness, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem and anger. I help them find relief from their emotional pain so they can live happier, more productive lives.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with most of my individual clients. CBT helps clients change how they think about themselves and the world. With a new perspective, they begin to feel better and make healthier choices.
I also work with couples to improve their relationships. I use The Gottman Method in couples counseling. Couples complete an assessment called The Gottman Relationship Check-up. The assessment helps identify which areas the couple needs to work on.
My Specialties
I have experience with many disorders and specialized knowledge with anxiety, depression and addiction. I especially enjoy helping people with social anxiety, panic disorder, OCD and depression. I use evidenced based therapies, which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Hypnotherapy and The Gottman Method. I occasionally use humor to make the process fun.
What Sets My Practice Apart…
The privacy of my office sets my practice apart from other counseling offices. You never have to wait in a crowded waiting room or worry about anyone overhearing your session. My clients rarely even run into another client. If you come right on time, the last person will have left by the time you arrive.
My office is in a building with a variety of other offices too so no one will know you are going to counseling if you run into someone you know in the building. There’s a dentist office across the hall, a community college downstairs and many other offices.
My flexible hours with evening appointments make scheduling convenient. I am available on short notice for crisis counseling. I live a mile down the road from my office. This makes it convenient for me to open my office on a Saturday or Sunday if a client has a crisis and needs to see me.