Joseph Hegedus LPC

11/24/2025

It's Man-day Monday: How Stress Impacts Your Sense of Self

Stress isn’t just feeling overwhelmed — it actually changes how you see yourself.

When stress builds, your brain shifts into survival mode. You think differently, react differently, and relate to yourself & others differently. Over time, you start forming your own unique “signs” of emotional stress, even if you don’t realize it.

1. Everyone develops their own stress signals

Your body and mind pick up patterns over time.

Some people shut down.

Some get irritable.

Some overthink.

Some get loud.

Some get quiet.

These responses become your personal "stress signature" — the early signs that something is off.

2. How to recognize your signs

Start paying attention to the first things that change when you’re overwhelmed:

Your mood

Your sleep

Your patience

Your energy

Your appetite

Your thinking (more negative, more rushed, more "all-or-nothing")

These small shifts are usually the warning signals that stress is affecting how you feel about yourself & others.

3. How to deal with your stress signs

Once you know your patterns, you can respond earlier.

Simple steps help calm your system and reset your perspective:

Slow your breathing

Pause before reacting

Step outside or take a short walk

Reduce one source of pressure

Tell someone you trust you’re having a rough day

Calming your body gives your mind room to settle — and helps your sense of self come back online.

Stress changes how you see yourself, how you see others, how you think, how you act. Learning and recognizing your early signs are the first steps towards getting back to feeling like you, and therapy can help with that.

Joseph Hegedus LPC is accepting new therapy clients.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.

11/21/2025

Many believe therapy is only for life's problems, but it’s not just about addressing problems.

Therapy offers a space to slow down, organize your thoughts, and finally hear yourself think.

It’s a place where you can be fully "you"—where you can freely and openly explore who you are beneath the stress, the roles, and the noise.

And the part that usually surprises people is: therapy helps people actually feel good.

✨ Sleeping through the night without the mind racing

✨ Enjoying mornings again

✨ Handling stress without shutting down

✨ Letting go of guilt that never belonged

✨ Feeling more patient—with others, and with oneself

✨ Enjoying more, worrying less

✨ Noticing peace where there used to be tension

These aren’t accidental outcomes—they are the true and natural outcome of the work done in therapy.

How therapy creates these changes:

• You stop carrying everything alone. You share the load with someone trained to help you make sense of it.

• You understand your patterns. Your reactions stop surprising you because you finally see where they come from.

• You learn real regulation skills. Breathing, grounding, reframing, boundaries—tools that retrain your nervous system.

• You replace self-criticism with self-respect. The harsh inner voice softens, making room for confidence.

• You gain clarity. You figure out what you need, what you value, and what no longer fits.

• You experience honest connection. Real conversation with someone who listens without judgment changes how you show up elsewhere.

• You stop avoiding and start resolving. With support, the things you fear lose their power.

Sometimes the biggest shift is simply giving yourself permission to feel good again. If you’re wanting that sense of clarity, ease, or emotional relief—therapy can help with that.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
In-person and video appointments are available. Most commercial insurances are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.
Also, please visit, like, and follow my page for future information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

11/10/2025

It's Man-day Monday: When Depression Wears a Disguise...

Depression isn’t always sadness or feeling low. For many, it hides under other emotions or behaviors that don’t look like “typical” depression. You might not feel down — you just feel off, detached, or constantly frustrated.

Here are some common ways depression can show up without looking like it:

Mood Changes
Snapping easily, short fuse, constant frustration.
Underneath: suppressed sadness or hopelessness — anger feels more “acceptable” than pain.

Numbness or Disconnection
Going through the motions, feeling flat or detached.
Underneath: emotional shutdown from exhaustion or long-term stress.

Overworking or Busyness
Filling every hour with work, chores, or tasks.
Underneath: distraction from emptiness or feelings of failure.

Withdrawal or Isolation
Spending more time alone, pulling back from relationships.
Underneath: fear of being a burden or not having the energy to connect.

Fatigue or Lack of Motivation
Struggling to get moving, even with simple things.
Underneath: mental and emotional depletion — your system is running on empty.

Shame or Self-Criticism
Feeling “not good enough,” guilt about not being productive.
Underneath: depression feeding a negative self-image and low self-worth.

Start noticing patterns, not moments. Feeling off for a day or two is normal — but if irritability, numbness, or exhaustion stick around, it may be depression in disguise.

Small acts of structure — movement, sunlight, brief connections with others — start to signal your system that it’s safe to re-engage.

Therapy can help you understand what's behind the heaviness - the thoughts, habits, and emotional patterns that keep you stuck. It gives space to unpack what's weighing you down, while learning practical tools to rebuild motivation, energy, and connection.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

10/29/2025

Now Hiring: Part-Time Licensed Therapist (Independent Contractor)– Flexible Schedule, Supportive Private Practice, Work Independently with Admin Support

Joseph Hegedus LPC | Private Practice | Upper St. Clair, PA

Are you an experienced licensed therapist ready to grow in a private practice setting with flexibility, support, and purpose?

Joseph Hegedus LPC, a thriving independent private practice in Upper St. Clair, is seeking a Pennsylvania-licensed therapist to join as an independent contractor (1099).

About the Practice
We offer both in-person and virtual outpatient psychotherapy for adults dealing with a range of mental health concerns—including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, anger, and relationship stress.
Our primary clientele is individual adults, with optional opportunities for couples and family therapy based on your interest and experience.
The therapy office is located in a welcoming and professional office space located at:
2555 Washington Rd, Upper St. Clair, PA
(Summerfield Commons Business Park at Washington & Boyce Rd)
-Abundant free parking
-Natural surroundings
-Complimentary refreshments for all visitors and providers

Position Highlights
Create your own schedule:
In-office hours available: M/W/F after 3pm, weekends fully open
Telehealth schedule: no time restrictions
Work-life balance with no marketing, billing, or referral management—we handle that for you
Full use of an integrated, HIPAA-compliant EHR system for scheduling, documentation, assessments (PHQ-9, GAD-7 and many more), telehealth, and more
Bi-weekly payments based on a 65% (therapist) / 35% (owner) split of paid claims and client payments
Clinical, administrative, and marketing support available to keep you focused on what you do best

Ideal Candidate
Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania (LPC) with 4 years of clinical experience
Available for at least 11 client-facing hours/week
Local to the South Hills area to accommodate in-person appointments
Comfortable with both virtual and in-person therapy
Credentialed with insurance panels; open to insurance credentialing
Able to work independently and maintain high ethical standards
Strong documentation, organizational, and communication skills
Familiar with electronic medical records (EMR/EHR)

Your Responsibilities
Provide therapy to clients as scheduled (individuals, with option for couples/families)
Complete clinical documentation in a timely manner
Maintain ethical and professional standards of care
Maintain professional licensing and insurance
Note: Referrals, billing, and initial client scheduling are all managed for you.

To Apply
Email your resume or CV to: josephhegeduslpcpgh@gmail.com
Learn more at: www.josephhegeduslpc.com

10/20/2025

It's Man-day Monday: Anxiety doesn't always make you look anxious.

Anxiety rarely shows up as a calm “I feel anxious.” Instead, it disguises itself as other emotions or behaviors that seem unrelated. Here’s a breakdown of some behaviors that disguise anxiety:

Anger or Irritability
Looks like: snapping at small things, impatience, road rage, or getting defensive.
What’s underneath: anxiety about losing control, being judged, or feeling powerless.
Why: anger feels strong; anxiety feels exposed.

Numbness or Flatness
Looks like: emotional shutdown, apathy, or “I just don’t care anymore.”
What’s underneath: chronic anxiety can exhaust the nervous system until it blunts emotion altogether.
Why: numbing is a self-protection strategy when stress feels unmanageable.

Sadness or Hopelessness
Looks like: low energy, pessimism, guilt, or tearfulness.
What’s underneath: anxiety that’s lasted too long can morph into depressive symptoms when the body feels stuck in “threat mode.”
Why: the system gives up the fight and drops into shutdown.

Overconfidence or Perfectionism
Looks like: needing to be right, in control, or constantly achieving.
What’s underneath: anxiety about being seen as inadequate or failing.
Why: control feels safer than vulnerability.

Shame or Guilt
Looks like: self-criticism, people-pleasing, or feeling like you’re “too much” or “not enough.”
What’s underneath: anxious over-focus on others’ perceptions or approval.
Why: shame temporarily keeps us “in line” with others’ expectations — but at a heavy emotional cost.

Restlessness or Impulsivity
Looks like: constant movement, changing jobs/hobbies, substance use, or “can’t sit still.”
What’s underneath: anxiety feels intolerable when stillness brings awareness of worry or emptiness.
Why: movement provides distraction and temporary relief.

Hyperproductivity or Busyness
Looks like: always working, fixing, doing — never resting.
What’s underneath: anxiety about slowing down and facing internal discomfort.
Why: productivity becomes a socially accepted coping mechanism.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

09/15/2025

Man-day Monday: Alleviating The Silent Stress – Easing The Pressure to Provide

Many men tie their identity to being the provider—the one who never falters, never rests, never needs help. Over time, those expectations can become heavy, leading to stress, burnout, and emotional distance.

Healthier Alternatives (and How to Practice Them):

Challenge unrealistic expectations:

→ Practice saying “not right now” when your plate is full.

→ Set a realistic daily goal list (5 priorities, for example).

→ Remind yourself: progress > perfection.

Explore identity beyond “the provider”:

→ Reconnect with an old hobby or interest just for enjoyment.

→ Schedule time with family/friends where money or work isn’t the focus.

→ Ask yourself weekly: “Who am I, outside of what I do for others?”

Rebuild balance between giving and being:

→ Block out personal time in your calendar just like a meeting.

→ Share responsibilities with a partner, friend, or colleague—don’t carry it alone.

→ Practice saying yes to rest: read, exercise, or simply be present without “producing.”

Alleviating the Silent Stress is a personal process that leads to less burnout, more freedom from unspoken obligations, and more rest & balance to show up authentically for yourself and the people who matter most. You can find ways to ease the pressure to provide, and therapy can help with that.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
In-person and video appointments are available. Most commercial insurances are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.

Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.
Visit, like, and follow my page for future information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

09/11/2025

Video therapy isn’t just convenient — it’s designed for real life.

👉 Busy parents: Therapy during naptime or after the kids are asleep means no babysitter, no commute, no stress.

👉 Working professionals: Fit a session into your lunch break, between meetings, or at the end of the workday — without losing hours to travel.

👉 Men hesitant to start therapy: No waiting rooms, no eyes on you, no added pressure. Just a private space to talk, at your pace.

👉 Rural communities: Long drives and limited local providers don’t need to stand in the way. If you’ve got internet, you’ve got access to care.

The truth is, video therapy works for anyone who wants support without the extra obstacles.

Because no matter your schedule, your job, or your zip code, your mental health deserves a place in your life.

Joseph Hegedus LPC offers video therapy to PA residents. Commercial insurances and self-pay are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.

Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more, view openings, and reserve an appointment.

Also visit, like, and follow my page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

09/10/2025

Domestic violence is not “a little fight.” It’s a public safety crisis that devastates lives and families. DVSSP CEO Megan Hegedus responds to President Trump’s recent remarks with a strong call to support survivors and hold leaders accountable. 📢 Read DVSSP’s full statement here: https://loom.ly/Y5Nwdhc

09/08/2025

It's Man-day Monday: The Loneliness Trap - Solutions for Men

Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone—it’s about feeling emotionally unseen or disconnected. Here’s how men can push back against isolation:

1. Strengthen Existing Bonds

-Reach out to a friend you’ve lost touch with.

-Schedule regular check-ins (coffee, a call, or even a quick text).

-Consistency matters more than depth at first.

2. Build New Connections

-Join groups that match your interests (sports, volunteering, book clubs, or men’s groups).

-Online communities can help, but real-life face-to-face connection has stronger impact.

-Volunteer time to your community, and immerse yourself in projects that interest or inspire you.

3. Practice Vulnerability in Small Steps

-Share something real with someone you trust: “Work has been heavy this week,” or “I’ve been feeling off.”

-Start small—authenticity builds deeper connection over time.

-Take note of the feelings that emerge when you do these things.

4. Create Emotional Routines

-Journal daily to name emotions and reduce the sense of “carrying them alone.”

-Practice mindfulness to stay connected to yourself, which makes connecting with others easier.

-Be patient and forgiving with yourself as you create these new routines.

5. Seek Professional Support

-Therapy offers a space to safely break patterns of isolation.

-A counselor can help men build relational skills and confidence to connect authentically.

-Therapy serves as a 'practice' ground to explore and connect with your deeper self in a safe and secure way.

Loneliness is not a sign of weakness—it’s a signal that connection is missing. Loneliness can feel permanent but it doesn't have to. You can learn to use loneliness as a tool that inspires your connection with others, and therapy can help with that.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
In-person and video appointments are available. Most commercial insurances are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.
Visit, like, and follow my page for future information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

09/04/2025

Whether you live in the heart of Philadelphia, the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, or a quiet town tucked into rural Pennsylvania, quality mental health care should never feel out of reach.

Many communities in our state don’t have a therapist’s office around the corner. Long drives, limited providers, and busy schedules can make it difficult to start — or stick with — therapy.

That’s where video therapy changes everything.

✔ If you have a secure internet connection, you can connect with a licensed therapist anywhere in Pennsylvania.

✔ No more worrying about finding “the right fit” only in your immediate area.

✔ From city blocks to farm roads, care is now just one click away.

Your mental health deserves the same access as your physical health — regardless of where you call home.

Pennsylvania is a big state, but with video therapy, support is always within reach.

Joseph Hegedus LPC offers video therapy to PA residents. Commercial insurances and self-pay are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.

Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more, view openings, and reserve an appointment.

Also visit, like, and follow my page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

09/01/2025

It's Man-day Monday: Anger Can Be Rewired

For many men, anger becomes the go-to emotion. Why? Because it feels strong, it’s socially acceptable, and it shields more vulnerable feelings like sadness, fear, or shame. But when anger is the only outlet, it can quietly erode relationships, health, and peace of mind.

How Anger Shows Up (not just yelling):

-Irritability, sarcasm, or shutting down

-Passive-aggressive comments

-Perfectionism or controlling behaviors

-Physical tension (clenched jaw, tight shoulders)

-Risk-taking or self-sabotage

Healthy Ways to Channel Anger:

-Pause your reaction and name the emotion “beneath” the anger (disappointment, hurt, fear)

-Practice controlled releases: physical activity, deep breathing, journaling

-Use controlled and concise communication to express needs; refrain from “aggressive” or "threatening" communication

The Benefits of Managing Anger:

-Clearer communication & stronger relationships (people will respond to you more calmly, honestly, openly)

-Less stress on the body (relaxed muscles, better sleep, fewer headaches)

-Ability to recognize and express underlying emotions (others will better understand you)

-Channeling energy into constructive outlets (exercise, creative projects, advocacy)

-Greater emotional resilience and self-control (you control your anger; your anger doesn’t control you)

Anger isn’t "bad"; it offers information and guidance. Learning to pause, identify what’s beneath the anger, and express it in healthier ways leads to more authentic strength and lasting peace.

Society and culture expects anger to be men’s “go-to” emotion, but it doesn’t have to be. Men can discover how to use anger as a personal tool, rather than a reactive emotion, and therapy can help with that.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.

In-person and video appointments are available. Most commercial insurances are accepted, and openings vary throughout the week.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment. Enrolling is quick and easy.

Also please visit, like, and follow my page for future information: https://www.facebook.com/josephhegeduslpcpgh

Joseph Hegedus LPC is a licensed mental health therapist in Upper St Clair Pa, offering adult therapy and professional counseling for anxiety, depression, trauma & PTSD, stress & anger problems, grief & loss, relationship counseling, life coaching, and personality disorders. Book Now at josephhegedu...

08/29/2025

"Paint the town purple" with DVSSP as we bring the community together to stand against domestic violence! This family-friendly event creates awareness of domestic violence and how we can prevent it from happening in our communities, while raising critical funds to help survivors of domestic violence. Learn more or create a team at https://www.peacefromdv.org/about-us/our-events/peace-from-dv-walk.