Spencer Kilpatrick

Accepting Clients

Helping individuals and athletes heal identity wounds, build secure relationships, and thrive in life and sport.

Addictions Counselor in Pittsburgh, PA

About My Clients

My clients are dedicated athletes, high achievers, and individuals navigating identity, anxiety, performance pressure, or life transitions. Many feel disconnected from themselves after injury, loss, burnout, or overwhelming expectations. I also work with clients managing anxiety, ADHD, mood challenges, trauma, and relationship struggles. They want more than symptom relief. They want clarity, confidence, secure relationships, and a grounded sense of who they are.

My Background and Approach

My background integrates clinical psychotherapy with a lifelong foundation in competitive athletics. I earned degrees in Applied Developmental Psychology and Social Work and built my early clinical experience treating anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, and performance-related struggles. As a former college tennis player and coach, I understand the internal pressure, identity shifts, and relational dynamics that shape both sport and life. My approach is grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment science. I help clients understand how their emotional responses make sense in context and how secure connection builds resilience. Influenced by Dan Siegel’s interpersonal neurobiology, I view mental health through the lens of integration linking emotion, cognition, body, and relationships into a coherent sense of self. Whether working with athletes or psychotherapy clients, I focus on strengthening identity, increasing emotional regulation, and building secure, growth-orient

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe performance is an outcome, but identity is the engine in sport and in mental health. Athletes and high achievers don’t struggle because they lack toughness; they struggle when pressure, comparison, injury, trauma, anxiety, ADHD, or depression begin to define who they are. When confidence or self-worth is built only on results, achievement, or others’ approval, it becomes fragile under stress and adversity. Many clients seek therapy not just for performance concerns, but for panic, burnout, mood instability, intrusive thoughts, or relationship pain. I believe these symptoms often signal a deeper disruption in identity and attachment security. My work focuses on strengthening a steady sense of self so emotions can be regulated, relationships can feel safe, and pressure doesn’t destabilize identity. When identity is secure, both mental health and performance become more consistent, resilient, and sustainable.

Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Optum
  • United Behavioral Health (UBH)
  • United Healthcare
  • AmeriHealth
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Independence Blue Cross
  • UPMC
  • Evernorth
I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 9 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $130 - 150/session

Info

Email Spencer
201 Penn Center Blvd.
STE 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Reach out to Spencer