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 ✦
Attachment-Based Relationship Counseling
ATTACHMENT-BASED RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy In Pittsburgh and Across Pennsylvania
EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED
COUPLES THERAPY
In Pittsburgh and Online Pennsylvania
EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY
In Pittsburgh and Online Pennsylvania
Sable Arend, MS, LPC
AREND COUNSELING
Licensed Professional Counselor
Advanced Trained EFCT Therapist
Feeling stuck in painful patterns?
Longing for closeness?
In my practice, I help people create more secure, resilient, connected relationships. I provide an attachment-based framework using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) to help partners make sense of their patterns, conflicts, 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.
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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 from experiential and somatic therapies, parts work, IFS, mindfulness-based interventions, 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
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.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and couples therapist with advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy.
WORKING WITH ME
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. Together, we will listen to deeply understand the emotions and innate needs underlying your relationship patterns and conflicts.
With EFT as our guide, we will heal pain points, reduce escalation and foster increased safety and connection in your relationships.
I am deeply affirming of all relationship structures, including polyamory, non-monogamy and queer platonic relationships. I work from a sex-positive, kink-affirming and body-positive lens.
TAKE TIME
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DIVE DEEPER
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EXTENDED SESSIONS
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TAKE TIME ✧ DIVE DEEPER ✧ EXTENDED SESSIONS ✧
Designed for Depth
This work needs more time, so I structure my practice around extended therapy sessions, offering 75-minute and 90-minute sessions as standard.
The additional time creates room to slow down, settle in, and engage more deeply in the therapeutic process. 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
What other clinicians have to say:
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
Registered member of:
Relationships can be one of our greatest sources of comfort, meaning, and resilience—but they can also be challenging! If you've ever wondered whether couples therapy is right for you, this blog addresses five common myths that often keep people from reaching out for support. Whether you're dating, married, queer, polyamorous, or somewhere in between, couples therapy can help strengthen connection, improve communication, and foster greater emotional security.