Aspire Counseling

Aspire Counseling Specializing in supporting parents of children with chronic illness or special medical needs with in

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Aspire Counseling, Megan Voll is a trusted source for individuals and families in their time of need. After graduating from Boston University, Megan received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University in 2006, graduating with honors. Megan’s professional background includes working at the University of Pittsburgh and Children's Hospi

tal of UPMC, coordinating multiple research studies and counseling families whose children are newly diagnosed with cancer. Megan has traveled nationally to train pediatric psychologists, clinical social workers, and Advanced Practice Nurses in Bright IDEAS, a problem-solving skills training program supported by the National Cancer Institute. Whether navigating the challenges of a diagnosis of a medical illness, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or finding oneself overwhelmed and looking for a way to slow down and find balance in life, Aspire Counseling's services will provide support and walk with you towards your individual goals. We’re glad you’re here, and look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

If you’re a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer please check out Momcology - they provide invaluable peer support th...
09/02/2022

If you’re a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer please check out Momcology - they provide invaluable peer support through the most challenging moments of this journey. 💛

It's September 1st and the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (CCAM). Within our community, there is a day, a moment, when “awareness” of childhood cancer took on a whole new meaning. It can be the acute moment that defines the "before and "after" for the rest of our lives. How we look at our children, how we see the world we live in, and how our priorities immediately shift as the veil of emotional trauma quietly pours over us and we begin to process the reality of redefining our family's future each day. Whether it was over 20 years ago or just last week, diagnosis day is the most basic common denominator in our community. Somehow through technology, in hospital hallways, or through meeting others, you are reading this, and we are here as a community. Let's create some together by sharing the date our lives changed forever. Let others see that we are here, that we stand up for our kids, and because of that day, we are bonded together.

09/27/2021

Aspire Counseling, a small group private practice in Wexford, PA that specializes in supporting families of children with chronic illness and special medical needs, is looking for phenomenal part-time Licensed Clinical Therapists to join our small group practice. Our mission is to support and empower families by providing evidence-based care with compassion so that they can cope more successfully in the face of these challenges.

About the Position:
Therapist must be interested in working with children, teens, young adults, and families impacted by chronic illness and be willing to collaborate with medical professionals at pediatric hospitals in the tri-state area in order to provide the most comprehensive care to clients. Aspire Counseling utilizes evidence-based care and a collaborative approach in working with a child’s treatment team.

Therapist must also have an interest in working with children, teens, adults and families experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, stress management, low self-esteem, and life transitions (i.e., high school to college, becoming new parents, etc.).

Therapist is not responsible for business management tasks such as answering intake calls and scheduling initial appointments, insurance verification, insurance billing and tracking reimbursements. Candidate must be independent, driven, collaborative, professional, detail-oriented, and enhance our friendly, connected, and positive-minded group of clinicians. This position will be hired as a W-2 employee, not a 1099 independent contractor.

Job Type:
• Part-time (W-2 employee, not independent contractor)
• Combination remote and in-person sessions following PA mandates and guidelines

Salary:
• Compensation is percentage based on income received and paid out monthly.

Benefits Include:
• Steady stream of referrals, no additional individual marketing required
• In-house billing to coordinate benefits/eligibility and submit claims
• Administrative support to answer and schedule intake appointments
• Monthly group case consultation
• Bi-weekly to monthly individual consultation with Owner/Clinical Director
• CEU reimbursement
• Malpractice insurance
• Credentialing assistance
• Opportunities for advancement

Requirements are:
• Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree in psychology, counseling or social work; and
• Active, unrestricted license (PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LMFT, LPC) in the State of Pennsylvania (must be fully licensed)
• Available to hold at least 15 client sessions per week, including at least 1 evening or weekend per week
• Compassionate individual with the desire to support families with pediatric chronic illness and special medical needs
• Already credentialed with some insurance panels (UPMC, BCBS, and United, and Medicaid a plus)
• Does not have their own a solo private practice or work in another group practice
Additional qualifications that are preferred:
• Prior private practice or hospital setting experience is a plus
• Has at least one other area of specialty to bring to the practice (i.e., trauma, grief, couples)
• Fully credentialed with multiple insurance panels
• Training or certification in a specific treatment modality (i.e., CBT, DBT, EMDR)

Interested candidates should submit the following to: megan@aspirecounselingpgh.com
• Cover letter noting why you think you would be a great fit for our practice
• CV or resume

A few things to keep in mind when raising a teen, particularly how to be helpful when they’re hurting.
09/24/2021

A few things to keep in mind when raising a teen, particularly how to be helpful when they’re hurting.

7 ways to quiet your teen's negative self-talk.

Many parents ask questions about apps and online safety for their kids and teens. This article by the WSJ does a great j...
09/19/2021

Many parents ask questions about apps and online safety for their kids and teens. This article by the WSJ does a great job at highlighting the dangers of what kids are fed. In our house, we tell our kids to be thoughtful of what they’re consuming in any media because you can’t unsee and unhear things. Images of disturbing things that they perhaps didn't want to see are subsequently burned into their minds. These apps have their algorithms finely honed, as you’ll read in the article. A few highlights:

“TikTok served one account registered as a 13-year-old at least 569 videos about drug use, references to co***ne and m**h addiction, and promotional videos for online sales of drug products and paraphernalia. Hundreds of similar videos appeared in the feeds of the Journal’s other minor accounts.”

“TikTok also showed the Journal’s teenage users more than 100 videos from accounts recommending paid po*******hy sites and s*x shops. Thousands of others were from creators who labeled their content as for adults only.”

“An earlier video investigation by the Journal found that TikTok only needs one important piece of information to figure out what a user wants: the amount of time you linger over a piece of content. Every second you hesitate or re-watch, the app tracks you.”

“Through that one powerful signal, TikTok can learn your most hidden interests and emotions, and drive users of any age deep into rabbit holes of content—in which feeds are heavily dominated by videos about a specific topic or theme. It’s an experience that other social-media companies like YouTube have struggled to stop.”

Please know what your kids are being exposed to through this app. It’s not just fun dance videos and cute challenges. There’s an incredible amount of explicit content geared toward s*x and drugs. Please take a few minutes to read this and understand the science behind how it works and what is popping up for your kids.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-algorithm-s*x-drugs-minors-11631052944?fbclid=IwAR3miuQk483vjFfsylU4uy4QGaB-UbUlgUEo0VHzoU52qZ4ZLAVOKwDo4r4

The popular app can quickly drive young users into endless spools of adult content, including videos touting drug use and promoting po*******hy sites, a Wall Street Journal investigation finds.

09/11/2021
09/11/2021
09/11/2021

I know I will never forget where I was and what it felt like on 9/11. As we remember the lives lost, our children often have questions. Here’s a great resource to help parents talk to their children about terrorism.
https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families/talking-children-about-terrorism?mc_cid=20f8142c7f&mc_eid=c4dac26e19&mc_cid=9e0edc84a7&mc_eid=c4dac26e19

Note for screen reader users: once expanded, the first four items of the navigation menu have some associated content which may provide additional information of interest. These sections can be located by jumping to the level 3 heading which follows each sub-menu.

Did anyone read the NYT article on "Languishing" last week? It was pretty spot on about the heavy feeling of stagnation ...
05/05/2021

Did anyone read the NYT article on "Languishing" last week? It was pretty spot on about the heavy feeling of stagnation many have felt and continue to feel throughout the pandemic. Check out this article on the opposite, or "Flourishing". It's a quick read with some great ideas we could all use! https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/04/well/mind/flourishing-languishing.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR1ERLqBXd36rbJdgE2KRJ8-jU24dDcbLL2fKWA-oTFoESZXLnm2BvLo6Hc

Research shows that the pandemic took a toll on our overall well-being and left many of us drained. Here are seven simple steps to get you thriving again.

Take time to acknowledge all the little things that make a difference in your life. Even though some of those aren’t cur...
10/24/2020

Take time to acknowledge all the little things that make a difference in your life. Even though some of those aren’t currently an option, focus on what IS available to you. Maybe it’s sitting by the lake and just taking in the tranquility of nature. Or journaling outside and feeling the sunshine on your face. Or meeting up with a friend outside with your lawn chairs 6 feet apart to laugh and catch up. Write them down and use them to seek solace.

“If you’ve ever seen a kid fight cancer, it will change your life forever.” These kids inspire me every day and are the ...
09/04/2020

“If you’ve ever seen a kid fight cancer, it will change your life forever.” These kids inspire me every day and are the basis for the practice I’ve built, what my mission is all about. Please join me in celebrating all the little warriors fighting cancer. 💛🎗

Upcoming grief support group for young adults ages 18-30 hosted by the Highmark Caring Place. They are an incredible org...
06/28/2020

Upcoming grief support group for young adults ages 18-30 hosted by the Highmark Caring Place. They are an incredible organization- please check it out and pass along to anyone you know who may be interested.

While these streets aren't filled at the moment, this brings a smile to my face (and hopefully yours!). Music & dance un...
04/18/2020

While these streets aren't filled at the moment, this brings a smile to my face (and hopefully yours!). Music & dance unite us in so many ways. Both are incredibly effective at reducing anxiety and improving mood, even if just viewed from your device this afternoon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwe-pA6TaZk

www.wherethehellismatt.com Put # and then your city and country/state in your comment so I know where you're from. , Washington Download the video to...

This week many sessions have focused on a contradiction of feelings on many fronts and grappling with what's 'ok' to fee...
04/01/2020

This week many sessions have focused on a contradiction of feelings on many fronts and grappling with what's 'ok' to feel. This post does a great job showing that it's ok to feel conflicting emotions at once. Awareness and acceptance of whatever you may feel.

If there was ever a time for complex emotions, this is it.
Yesterday I was dancing in the kitchen cooking. This morning, I was crying on the sofa filled with anxiety.
I am hopeful AND worried. I am grateful AND disappointed. I am loving the rest AND frustrated that it is imposed upon instead of chosen. I am ok AND I am sad for others.
There is so much going on for all of us. While we are on this uncomfortable emotional rollercoaster, we can also see the beauty and complexity of our humanness. All the things we are able to experience. The cycles. How easy it is for our balance to be thrown off given our circumstances.
Make space for messy right now (always, actually). Let it be ok. Let this moment, whatever it is...be complex and enough.
What are some contradicting emotions you’re struggling with at the moment?

After virtually speaking to clients this week and recognizing that there is so much anxiety around COVID-19 right now, m...
03/20/2020

After virtually speaking to clients this week and recognizing that there is so much anxiety around COVID-19 right now, many of them are turning to prayer for comfort and peace in addition to all the other coping skills we discuss. I asked a dear friend of mine for a prayer that I could share with anyone who is looking for comfort in the midst of this and boy did she deliver! I am consistently in awe at how these words flow out of her. She responded in less than 3 minutes with this for anyone who might want it. Thank you Mountain 💜

Lord, we love you. We praise you for being above all things & in all things. We know you as the author & creator of this world and the people in it that you love so much. We confess that we are scared, angry, confused, and full of fear (insert other emotions) in the midst of COVID-19. We recognize that NONE of these feelings are from you. You are PEACE when we are scared, you are CALM when we are angry, you are WISDOM when we are confused, and you are HOPE when we are fearful. And so we turn to you now because we need every single one of those things. Thank you for being everything good when we can only see the bad. Thank you for being so close that we only have to lean in to feel your presence. Thank you for loving us despite our fears & failures. We ask that you draw near to us today, and every day of uncertainty that lies ahead. We ask that you bring such a sense of supernatural peace to our hearts that there is no denying it’s you. We ask that you keep us safe & keep our loved ones safe. We ask that you keep us sane as we navigate the ever-changing times in which we’re living. Lord we know that without pain & hardship we may never be pushed to grow. Help us to see the ways in which you want us to grow right now — be it growing closer to our children, be it growing more patient with them, be it growing more empathetic to our neighbors, or be it growing more appreciative of our blessings. We trust and believe that you have beauty for us to find in the midst of this trial. Open our eyes & hearts to that beauty. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo&feature=youtu.be

"Goodness Of God" sung by Jenn Johnson live at Bethel Church VICTORY Album Available everywhere now: Spotify | https://bethelmusic.lnk.to/VictoryID/spotify I...

Please keep this in mind as we transition to a different way of living for a while. It’s an opportunity for you to teach...
03/19/2020

Please keep this in mind as we transition to a different way of living for a while. It’s an opportunity for you to teach your children some serious skills.

As we begin to see ‘social distancing’ changes in our community in preparation for the Coronavirus such as remote learni...
03/12/2020

As we begin to see ‘social distancing’ changes in our community in preparation for the Coronavirus such as remote learning, working remotely, and cancellation of programming, we need to stop and think about how this impacts the entire community, specifically the financially vulnerable. Please pause for a moment from stockpiling toilet paper and read about how we can help those who can’t afford to do so.

Your neighborhood may be hurting in hidden ways. Here's how to change that.

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Wexford, PA

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Our Story

Megan is an experienced therapist in the Wexford area who specializes in working with parents of children with chronic illness and special medical needs. She provides therapy to mothers who are anxious or who are having difficulty adjusting to their child’s diagnosis, providing coping skills in a compassionate environment that allows them to navigate each day more smoothly and with confidence.

Being the parent or caregiver of a child with a chronic illness or special medical need can be stressful. Often times parents can feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed when trying to juggle life’s usual demands, children who need them, and take care of themselves also. Individual sessions at Aspire Counseling with Megan are warm and inviting, with a proactive and solution-focused approach designed to create measurable progress in each session.

We will have a strategy. We will be positive. We will have fun.

We will face the future with confidence. We will ASPIRE for som**hing better.