Bethany Hagensen, LSW

Bethany Hagensen is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a passion for inclusion, accessibility and social justice. Bethany graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in 2020 with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and certificate in Mental Health, following completion of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2017. Counseling perspective focuses on empowering clients in their environment, acknowledging the significance of social injustice.

Bethany has a strong background in medical case management as a hospital social worker, as well as experience as a behavioral specialist for adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Life Transition Difficulties, and Gender Dysphoria. Bethany completed one year of training with the Persad Center as a mental health clinician specializing in transgender affirming care.

Bethany utilizes Motivational Interviewing with client-led behavioral interventions and strategies. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are primary therapeutic modalities. Bethany also has an interest in expressive arts therapy and somatic therapy.

Bethany strives to create a warm, inviting environment for therapy. Clients are invited to engage with art, sensory activities, writing, music and mindfulness activities as part of the therapeutic process. Clients can expect a creative, collaborative approach to therapy with space for both expression and concrete behavioral intervention. Goals of therapy can include processing grief and loss, healing from trauma, developing healthy boundaries and coping skills for the complexity of life. Bethany is passionate about helping people understand their unique personal strengths and gifts and is in awe of the miracle of seeing people build on these strengths to affect positive change in their lives, families and communities.