Joseph Hegedus LPC

12/29/2025

Many people ask whether they need to use insurance for therapy. The short answer is: not always.

For some clients, paying out of pocket ends up being simpler and more predictable than navigating deductibles, copays, authorizations, or session limits. Private-pay allows us to focus on the work itself — not the paperwork.

Here are some of the benefits to paying privately for therapy:

• Clear, upfront pricing

• No surprise bills

• No limitations set by insurance approvals or diagnosis requirements

• Discounted multi-session packages (5, 10, or 20 sessions)

Most major commercial health insurance plans are still accepted. If you have a health insurance plan that offers out-of-network benefits (OON), I can provide Superbills that you can submit to your health insurance provider for possible reimbursement.

Therapy should feel steady, transparent, and collaborative, and deciding how to pay for therapy is an important step. If you have questions about the private-pay process, please reach out via the contact form or use the online scheduler from my website to book a free 15-minute phone consult.

Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com for scheduling options and insurance & pricing information.

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...

12/15/2025

It's Man-day Monday: The Silent Withdrawal

What it looks like:
-Canceling plans or avoiding social gatherings
-Spending more time alone than usual
-Numbing out with TV, gaming, scrolling, or overworking
-Feeling “checked out” or mentally distant
-Telling yourself you’re just tired, busy, or need space

These shifts can be subtle — which is why they can be easy to miss.

What’s happening underneath:
-Silent withdrawal often reflects a stress or depression response, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
-It usually shows up when your system is overwhelmed and needs to conserve emotional energy.

Common drivers:
-Emotional overload: too much on your plate at once
-Low mood or burnout: everything feels heavier or more effortful
-Avoidance: pulling back feels easier than engaging
-Shame or self-criticism: feeling like you don’t have much to offer
-Protective instinct: isolating feels safer than risking more stress

Your mind calls it “rest.”
Your body calls it “shutdown.”
Your emotions call it “help.”

Why withdrawal becomes a habit:
-It temporarily reduces pressure
-It avoids uncomfortable feelings or conversations
-It gives the illusion of control
-It feels less vulnerable than asking for support

The problem with all of this is" withdrawal can reduce stress in the moment but it compounds stress in the long run. It can help you feel better temporarily while slowly pulling you deeper into disconnection, exhaustion, and low moods.

Helpful ideas:
-Start with tiny connection steps so it doesn’t feel overwhelming:
-Text one person: “Hey, been quiet lately — how are you doing?”
-Sit in the same room as someone, even if you don’t talk much
-Step outside for a few minutes to re-engage your senses

You don’t need deep conversations — just gentle reconnection to interrupt the isolation loop.

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

12/12/2025

📢 Now Hiring: PA Licensed Outpatient Therapist | Independent Contractor Opportunity | Upper St. Clair, PA

Flexible Schedule, Zero Administrative Overhead.

Joseph Hegedus LPC, a well-established private practice in the South Hills, is seeking a qualified Pennsylvania Licensed Therapist to join the practice as an independent contractor (1099).

Position Benefits & Compensation
This role offers exceptional autonomy and support, allowing the therapist to concentrate exclusively on client care.

Compensation: A competitive 65% Clinician / 35% Practice split. Payments are processed bi-weekly.

Administrative Freedom: All marketing, billing, insurance, and referral management is handled by the practice. Credentialing support is available.

Scheduling: Complete flexibility to set your own hours. Telehealth schedule is open; In-office hours are available M/W/F (after 3pm) and weekends.

Workspace: Access to a professional office in Upper St. Clair (Summerfield Commons), including abundant free parking and amenities.

Technology: Full access to an integrated, HIPAA-compliant Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications
An unencumbered license to practice therapy in PA.

Minimum of 3 years of outpatient therapy experience.

Commitment to providing a minimum of 11 client-facing hours per week.

Willingness to conduct both virtual and in-person sessions (local to the South Hills area).

Experience or comfort with insurance panel credentialing.

Some experience with clinical documentation and use of EHR systems preferred.

Scope of Work
Provide outpatient psychotherapy services to individual adults managing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. The practice handles all client flow, scheduling, and payment processing. Clients are scheduled according to your availability, with intake information completed. You and your client take it from there (including all treatment decisions, appointment rescheduling, etc.). Billing and client payments are handled by the practice.

To Apply: Email your professional credentials and expression of interest to: josephhegeduslpcpgh@gmail.com
Learn more at:

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...

12/08/2025

It'sMan-day Monday: When “Being Fine” Becomes a Habit

What it looks like:
You default to “I’m fine” even when you’re stressed, irritated, overwhelmed, or checked out. You stay busy, keep conversations surface-level, and avoid talking about anything uncomfortable.
People presume you’re okay — because that’s the version you keep showing them.
Most do not choose this — it is learned.

Here are some reasons the habit forms:
1. It felt safer growing up.
If expressing emotion led to criticism, conflict, or being ignored, you learned to shut down and keep it to yourself.

2. You didn’t want to burden anyone.
Many are taught to “handle it yourself,” so admitting stress feels like adding weight to others.

3. You believed emotions = weakness.
Cultural/social, family, or personal expectations often reward stoicism and independence — even when it costs you internally.

4. You were praised for being easygoing.
Being the “chill,” “steady,” or “reliable” one can turn into pressure. You're good at it, so it's easy to keep being that way even when it’s exhausting.

5. Avoiding emotion felt easier than dealing with it.
If you weren’t taught healthy coping tools, emotional honesty might feel overwhelming or unfamiliar — so “I’m fine” becomes a shortcut.

Over time, the repeated act of being "fine" can become an automatic response, even when it's not accurate, leading to a disconnection from your own emotional signals.

Helpful ideas:
Try swapping “I’m fine” for a small, honest truth:
“It’s been a long week.”
“I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
These tiny steps reconnect you to yourself — and help others understand you better without feeling exposed.

If “I’m fine” is your default setting, it might be a sign you’ve been operating on survival mode more so than accuracy.

Joseph Hegedus LPC has openings for new therapy clients.
In-person and video appointments are available.
Visit www.josephhegeduslpc.com to learn more and reserve an appointment.

12/04/2025

“You don’t need to be struggling to benefit.”

Therapy isn’t just for people who feel overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. Many people come to therapy - and continue coming to therapy - simply because they want a consistent space to check in with themselves.

In everyday life, you’re juggling responsibilities, decisions, relationships, work, expectations—and much of it happens on autopilot. Therapy offers something uncommon in today's demanding world: a quiet hour that’s entirely yours. No pressure, no performance, no need to have a “problem” ready to talk about.

Even without a crisis , therapy can help you:

-Get clearer on what you want

-Understand patterns you may not notice on your own

-Make decisions with more confidence

-Hear your own thoughts without noise

-Decompress, vent, and regroup

-Strengthen emotional insight and self-awareness

Therapy can be a type of preventative maintenance—a support that helps you stay steady, grounded, and connected to yourself.

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

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

12/01/2025

It's Man-day Monday: Overthinking at Night

What it looks like:
-Your mind speeds up as soon as you try to sleep

-Conversations are replayed again and again

-Worst-case scenarios are imagined

-Trying to plan out tomorrow (or everything) at once

What’s happening underneath:
-Nighttime stillness gives your thoughts room to be heard (and get loud)

-Your brain tries to “solve” everything before letting you rest

-Body is ready to slow down, but mind is still on high alert

-This mismatch fuels anxiety, restlessness, and poor sleep

Why it keeps happening:
-Stress throughout the day doesn't get "processed" thoroughly

-You’re more distracted during daylight — thoughts wait for quiet

-Overthinking becomes a habit your brain uses to feel “in control”

-There is a lack of time or resources to deal with "all of it"

One helpful idea:
Do a quick “mind dump”:
Write down whatever is looping in your head. It doesn’t need to be organized — just "externalized". This action signals to your brain and body “everything is handled for tonight”, allowing you to more easily slow down the activity of the mind.

Share if nighttime overthinking keeps your brain wired.

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

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.

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...

11/21/2025

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