Bethany treats an array of mental health disorders including but not limited to depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Bethany also has experience treating clients with drug and alcohol addictions, chronic health issues, history of trauma, and eating disorders.

The primary treatment approaches Bethany uses are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and person centered therapy. Bethany uses a trauma informed approach. Bethany also uses a variety of other approaches to meet the client where they are.

Bethany's approach to faith based counseling is about allowing clients to explore their concerns or questions about faith or explore religious trauma in a judgement free environment. Bethany can provide faith based counseling from a Christian perspective upon request. Bethany believes in allowing clients to guide the faith based counseling process as they see fit. Bethany is accepting of all religions and also clients who may not practice or have a connection with a religion or faith. This is an COMPLETELY OPTIONAL type of counseling for those who may be interested.

If you are interested in counseling and want to see if Bethany is the right counselor for you, she would be happy to provide you with a free 15 minute consult. During the consult, Bethany will obtain the basic information about your issues and concerns and if she feels she can help. If at the end of the consult you are interested in pursuing therapy, she will be happy to schedule an intake with you. If not, she will do her best to help you locate someone who may be a better fit for you. If you are interested in a consult, please send Bethany a message via my contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Telehealth is an alternative to in-person counseling or can be used in combination with in-person counseling. Telehealth is providing counseling services from the comfort of your own home or where you feel most comfortable (i.e car, dorm room, etc). Telehealth is provided over a HIPAA compliant, secure platform. You do not need to pick only telehealth or only in-person counseling. Many clients choose to do a combination of both based on their needs. In person sessions can also be switched to telehealth but at least a 24 hour notice of the change is requested except for cases of emergency. Please note that due to state licensing laws, the client must be physically located within the state of Pennsylvania at the time of the session even for telehealth.

During the intake, Bethany will review the demographic information for accuracy. Bethany will then gather information including historical information to help guide treatment. Bethany will take the information gathered and provide an overview of the approach she will take and see if this meets the desires of the client. The intake session is different from the regular sessions as the intake is more of an information gathering session. Bethany likes to think of the intake as an interview for both her and the client to determine if they are the appropriate fit for each other. If after the intake, you don’t feel Bethany is the right fit, she will be happy to help you locate someone who may be a better fit.

Bethany believes in allowing the client guide the sessions. She often does not come into session with a structured plan unless the client wants a more structured approach. During session, Bethany will work with you to process your thoughts and feelings about the issues that you feel are the most important to you at the time. Bethany believes in providing a safe, non-judgmental environment to process thoughts and feelings. Bethany describes therapy as peeling back layers of an onion. You don’t go right to the core without having coping skills to manage the situations. Sometimes you will peel a layer back and be ok to process it for one or two sessions and then not come back to it for awhile. Other times, you will peel back several layers. It is truly up to the client how many layers they reveal at any given time.

It is difficult to determine how many sessions you will need. Bethany believes that treatment is client driven and ultimately the number of sessions you will need will be based on your individual circumstances and needs.

EHC is in-network with UPMC, Highmark, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, United, and PA CHIP.

EHC is not in network with Medical Assistance (MA). EHC is unable to bill Medical Assistance as a primary or a secondary insurance. Clients who have MA are not eligible for a cash pay agreement. If during the course of treatment you switch to MA, we will be happy to help you locate an in-network provider. EHC is currently in the process of becoming in-network with Medicare.

Absolutely! Bethany works to provide a judgement free environment which allows clients to just be themselves. They are welcome to come as they are. Bethany is respectful of each person's identity and needs and will respect their personal choices without judgement. Bethany will respect an individual's choice of pronouns and chosen name. Everyone is welcome at EHC!

If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out to Bethany at 724-689-6714, backerman@enlighteninghopecounseling.com, or via the contact page. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have!