

I believe that humans should ideally be unfolding and growing throughout their lifetime. This means embracing change, especially when life gets difficult and we feel stuck, dissatisfied, or overwhelmed. Change is a journey with ups and downs. Personally, I believe we all struggle with challenges at different times in our life and it's the courageous who seek help.
Alena Kupchella Gourley
Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Clinical Hypnotherapist
I work with all age groups to manage life changes, grief, trauma, suicidal ideation, self harm, parent-child dynamics, phobias, addictions, chronic pain and conditions. We work together to improve the mind, body and heart connection for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.
Soothing the nervous system and shifting thought patterns can be helped with the tools from many therapeutic systems and skills you'll learn in sessions. A favorite part of most sessions is the deep relaxation and positive suggestions. The mental, emotional and physical pain relief achieved in session carries into day to day life.
I received my B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from IUP and my Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. Further areas of specialty are as a NGH Clinical Hypnotherapist and Hypnotherapy trainer.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and I specialize in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. I have a particular passion for supporting clients who are struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, perfectionism, body image concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorder recovery.
My clinical background includes working closely with children, teens, and families in both mental health and medical settings, which has shaped my understanding of how emotional wellbeing is influenced by stress, family relationships, identity development, and the pressures many young people carry every day. I also understand that struggles with food, body image, anxiety, and self-worth often show up quietly at first—and deserve compassionate, thoughtful support.
I strive to create a therapy space that feels warm, nonjudgmental, and genuinely supportive. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stuck in self-criticism, or unsure how to move forward. My goal is to help clients feel understood while building the insight, coping skills, and confidence needed to make meaningful change.
I’m also a doctoral candidate in Social Work, which reflects my commitment to providing evidence-informed care that is both thoughtful and deeply personalized. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, body image challenges, relationship stress, life transitions, or simply feeling unlike yourself lately, therapy can be a place to feel grounded, supported, and empowered.
I am a professional counselor who recently began working part-time with Headway and am currently accepting new clients.
I have been working in the mental health field since 2015 across a variety of settings, including residential treatment, inpatient rehabilitation and detox, and school-based services. I currently work full time with Allegheny Health Network as a Behavioral Health Clinician, where I provide counseling to college students through the Chill Project.
As a clinician, I take a person-centered approach and draw from a range of evidence-based modalities tailored to each client’s needs, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and others. I also have a strong interest and experience in working with substance use disorders. In addition, I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).


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