Krista Townsend

Krista Townsend is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and practicing trauma therapist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Mennonite University in 2012 and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017. Krista is passionate about utilizing her training and skills to create space and provide support to clients as they identify and create important changes in their lives. Krista operates from an intersectional feminist and relational perspective, acknowledging the impacts of systems and supports on clients’ experiences and perspectives.

Krista also brings a sex-positive perspective to her work. She supports clients in exploring sexuality, intimacy, and desire without shame, and welcomes conversations that involve diverse relationship structures, including ethical non-monogamy, polyamory, kink, and other non-traditional arrangements. Her approach centers autonomy, consent, and emotional safety, helping clients understand their needs, communicate openly, and build relationships that align with their values.

Krista is certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT and trained in EMDR therapy, and works with her clients to identify which approaches are the best fit for their healing and goals. She utilizes a holistic approach to mental health and specializes in processing the impacts of trauma on the mind, spirit, and body. Krista’s perspective highlights her belief that life is a process of healing and growing, with many fluctuations along the way.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, various creative outlets and continuing to develop and strengthen her relationships with friends and family.

Services

Specializations

Sexual Abuse
Trauma and PTSD
Relationship Issues
Intimacy
Anxiety

Settings

Individual therapy
Teletherapy
Walk and talk therapy

Treatment approaches

Trauma Focused
Wellness Coaching
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
EMDR
Eclectic
Feminist
Humanistic

Perspective

I view the therapeutic relationship as a brave and collaborative space, one where clients can explore relational dynamics with curiosity and begin to understand the patterns that shape how they engage with themselves and others. My work is grounded in an anti-racist, trauma-informed lens, informed in part by my yoga teacher training through YogaRoots On Location. When it aligns with a client’s goals, I integrate elements of this training to support grounding, embodiment, and a deeper connection to emotional experience.

I am certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT, and trained in EMDR therapy. I take a holistic approach to mental health, attending to the ways trauma affects the mind, spirit, and body. My focus is to help clients access insight, regulation, and healing in ways that honor their lived experiences, cultural contexts, and internal wisdom.

I work primarily with adults and have supported clients from a wide range of backgrounds navigating trauma, abuse, identity development, and challenges within peer and family relationships. If you are interested in exploring whether we may be a good fit, I welcome you to reach out by phone or email to schedule an initial consultation.

Payment Information

Cost per session: $150

Pay by: VCAP, Cash, Debit, Health Savings Account, Discover, American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Accepted Insurance Plans: Highmark BlueCross and BlueShield, UPMC, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare

Please note:

Walk and talk therapy is self pay only via cash, check, or credit card payment.

Teletherapy is covered by some insurance plans but not all. Please contact the member services number on the back of your insurance card to ask if your specific plan covers teletherapy services for outpatient mental health care.