Victoria Shay

I'm a Licensed Professional Counsellor based in Pennsylvania. I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology from Immaculata University. I specialize in helping people who struggle with anger, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, people whose lives have been impacted by trauma, as well as neurodivergent people struggling to fit into a neurotypical world.

Like any professional in a helping profession, I love to work with people who recognize their limitations and want to help themselves. But, I also understand that there are people in denial of their maladaptive behaviors (AKA: Court-Ordered persons) and I get a lot of satisfaction helping those people get on the right track.

I specialize in Anxiety Disorders and Anger Management, providing a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, understand your emotions, and develop tools to regain control of your life.

I am certificated in anger management therapy. I work with people who are court-ordered as well as those who recognize on their own that anger and rage are having extremely negative effects on their lives. My treatment goals are to help the client identify the underlying cause(s) for their anger and to understand it as a defensive response to underlying fear or feelings of vulnerability or powerlessness, and to then learn interpersonal and social skills to maintain self-control and address their anger logically for the benefit of everyone concerned.

I also do a lot of work with anxiety disorders. While anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, it can also become a disorder that greatly impacts quality of life. Because anxiety disorders can have multiple potential causes and coexisting conditions, there is no single remedy that works for everyone across the board. Because of this, I work with my clients to tailor a treatment plan that addresses each person’s unique presentation of anxiety.

This is my third career. My first was in law enforcement as a State Trooper and my second was as a curriculum editor for the University where I obtained my Master’s degree. The unique combination of experiences from those jobs and the life experiences I accumulated along the way while also raising a family have afforded me opportunities to deal with people from all walks of life. The result is a stubborn refusal to give up before all avenues are explored. I wear this stubbornness as a badge of honor and bring it with me to every session with every client, no matter what their issues may be.

Our first session together will start with brief introductions, and then I will collect a concise but complete history of your concerns and what you want your life to look like when you have successfully completed your therapy. From there, we will work together to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and the challenges you're facing, and get you on the road to your desired outcome.