Neurodivergent-Affirming
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Sex-Positive
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LGBTQ-Affirming
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Trauma-Informed
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Neurodivergent-Affirming ✦ Sex-Positive ✦ LGBTQ-Affirming ✦ Trauma-Informed ✦
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
in Pittsburgh and Across Pennsylvania
Specialized Relationship Counseling | Virtually in PA
Sable Arend, MS, LPC
AREND COUNSELING
Licensed Professional Counselor
Advanced Trained EFCT Therapist
Longing for closeness? Feeling stuck in painful patterns?
In my practice, I help people create more secure, resilient, connected relationships. Using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), I provide an attachment-based framework to help partners make sense of their patterns, needs, emotions, and stuck-points.
Together, we’ll create real, tangible change, building new patterns of connection rooted in safety, loving responsiveness, and emotional attunement—co-creating a space where vulnerability feels safer and deeper healing can take root.
I am deeply affirming of all relationship structures — including non-monogamy, polyamory, and queer platonic relationships. I work from a sex-positive, kink-affirming, and body-positive lens.
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I specialize in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), an evidence-based, attachment-oriented approach to couples therapy that helps couples understand the deeper emotional patterns driving conflict and disconnection. I have particular expertise working with:
Anxiety disorders
Depression and burnout
Trans* and gender diverse folx
Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD)
Mixed neuro-type relationships
Non-traditional relationships (non-monogamy and open relationships, polyamory, queer platonic relationships)
Kink-aligned communities
Disability and chronic illness
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Warm, collaborative, and curious, my therapeutic approach is rooted in attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and the work of Dr. Sue Johnson.
My clinical framework also draws experiential therapy, IFS, feminist theory, person-centered therapy, and Buddhist principles of compassion, mindfulness, acceptance, and non-judgment.
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I have experience working with a wide range of client concerns, including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, PTSD, burnout, ADHD, autism, OCD, executive functioning challenges, LGBTQ+ issues, gender and sexual identity, disability, chronic health conditions, and chronic pain.
In my couples and relationship work, I have particular experience in working with trauma and complex PTSD, LGBTQ+ relationships, mixed-neurotype partnerships, and relationships of all structures — including throuples, non-monogamous relationships, and kink-aligned partnerships.
While these reflect areas of particular experience, I welcome anyone who feel aligned with my practice.
I’m Sable,
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) and couples therapist with advanced training and supervision in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).
My work is grounded in attachment theory, EFCT, and trauma-informed care, and integrates parts-work, somatic and mindfulness-based interventions, and experiential therapies. I help partners to explore and understand the cycles that leave them feeling stuck and disconnected.
Together, we will listen deeply to the emotions and innate needs underlying your relationship patterns, using this information to heal pain points, reduce conflict, and foster increased safety in your relationships.
My goal is to provide a space where all people feel seen, understood, and supported in creating relationships that feel more safe, connected, and resilient.
Deep, transformative healing happens in the experience of being accepted, cared for, and loved in safe, affirming relationships.
Sable Arend, MS, LPC
Designed for Depth
75 Minute Sessions
I structure my practice around 75-minute sessions because deep work needs more time.
EFCT is an experiential approach that invites you to move beyond just talking about problems and toward understanding, experiencing, and transforming the patterns that keep you stuck. This work benefits from more space than a traditional therapy hour allows.
The additional time creates room to slow down, settle in, and engage more fully in the therapeutic process. Rather than feeling rushed to fit everything into a brief session, we can take the time needed to explore emotions with greater depth, make sense of recurring patterns, and create healing through new experiences of connection and care.
Start the Conversation
Fill out the contact form or send me a message via email to get connected. I’d be happy to meet for a free Discovery Call to make sure it feels like a good fit and answer any questions.
Email: sable@arendcounseling.com
From the Blog
Serving Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Philadelphia, and cities across Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh, East Liberty, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Highland Park, Point Breeze, Allison Park, Moon Townshop, Bethel Park, Bridgeville, West Mifflin, Glenshaw, Oakdale, Braddock, Coraopolis,South Park, East Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville, Duquesne, Turtle Creek, Sewickley, Verona, Hendersonville, Clairton, Oakmont
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