Teens and families
Counseling for teens and the parents who love them
True North Vitality offers counseling for children and teens in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Dave Kemerer, MA, LPC, sees ages 6 and up in Greensburg and Ligonier, and Nicoletta Whiteman, MA, LPC, sees teens 12 and up in Irwin. They help with stress, mood, school, family conflict and big changes.
- 3 Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors
- Greensburg · Irwin · Ligonier
- Online across Pennsylvania
- Christ-centered counseling
This may help if
- Your teen has pulled away from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy.
- Sleep, energy or mood has changed for weeks and it is affecting school.
- Arguments at home have become constant and nobody feels heard.
- A divorce, a move, a loss or a new blended family has shaken things up.
- You are worried, and you want a professional's view on what is going on.
When might a teen need counseling?
It is normal for teens to have ups and downs. It is worth reaching out when warning signs last for weeks or months and get in the way of daily life, school or friendships. Signs can include losing interest in things they enjoyed, low energy, changes in sleep, or pulling away from friends and family.
Other signs call for help sooner: extreme dieting or exercise, self-harm, drinking or drug use, risky behavior, or talk of suicide. If you are not sure whether a behavior is part of growing up or a problem, your pediatrician or family doctor is a good first call too, and can check for physical causes.
Who works with teens at True North Vitality?
Dave Kemerer, MA, LPC, the practice's founder, sees children 6 and up and teens. Family work is his specialty, and he has extensive training and experience in Structural and Strategic Family Therapy. He has worked in the helping professions since 2008, including residential treatment and in-home family-based therapy, and has been licensed since 2016. Dave sees families at our Greensburg office at 113 Alwine Avenue and at our Ligonier office at 125 West Main Street, just off the Diamond.
Nicoletta Whiteman, MA, LPC sees teens 12 and up at our Irwin office on Robbins Station Road. Her focus includes trauma, grief and loss, relationships and life transitions. No one at the practice sees children younger than 6.
Parents are part of the process. Teens often need adults who connect with them, talk with them and show real interest. Sessions can include time with the teen, time with parents and time together, so what is learned does not stay in the office. Our parenting support page explains the parent side.
How do consent and privacy work for teens?
At True North Vitality, a parent or guardian joins at least the first session, and is welcome in later sessions when that helps the work. In Pennsylvania, a minor who is 14 or older can also consent to outpatient mental health treatment for themselves, and a parent or legal guardian can consent too.
Under Pennsylvania rules, teens 14 and older have rights over their own mental health records. That means your teen's counselor is not required to tell parents what is said in session, unless your teen is at risk of harming themselves or someone else. We strongly encourage teens to sign a release so a parent or guardian can be kept informed. At the start, the counselor explains to both of you what stays private and what will be shared, so there are no surprises later.
How do we get started?
- Parent or guardian calls for a free 20-minute consultationCall, email or use the form on our contact page. The call covers your child's age, what is going on and which counselor and office fit best.
- Paperwork and consentIntake and consent forms are completed before the first session.
- First sessionThe counselor meets with the parent or guardian and the teen, explains privacy and its limits, and listens to what each person hopes will change.
- Ongoing sessionsWeekly sessions are encouraged for the first month when possible. Who attends each session depends on the plan you agree on together.
What about cost, faith and emergencies?
Some of our counselors work with insurance and others see clients on a self-pay basis, and plans differ by counselor. Call with your plan name and we will tell you what your options are, or see our insurance page. Sessions are 55 minutes. Sessions are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Times differ by office and counselor, with evening appointments until 8 pm and Saturday appointments in Greensburg.
True North Vitality is a Christ-centered practice. For Christian families, prayer and Scripture can be part of the work, and teens who are working out their own questions about faith are welcome to bring them.
If your teen talks about suicide, has hurt themselves or is in danger, call or text 988 or call 911 right away. True North Vitality is not an emergency service. See our crisis resources page for more options.
Common questions
What ages do you see?
No one at the practice sees children younger than 6. Dave sees ages 6 and up in Greensburg and Ligonier, and Nicoletta sees teens 12 and up in Irwin. If another kind of care might suit your child better, we can talk through other options on the first call.
Will you tell me what my teen says in sessions?
Not everything, and that is on purpose. Teens tend to open up when they trust that some things stay private, and in Pennsylvania teens 14 and older have rights over their own records. Safety always comes first: if your teen is at risk of harming themselves or someone else, you will be told. We encourage teens to sign a release so you can be kept informed.
My teen does not want to come. Should we still call?
Yes, a call is still a good place to start. Many teens are unsure at first. Parents can begin with their own sessions on how to support their teen, and the teen can join when ready. Talk through the options on your consultation call.
Do you offer online sessions for teens?
Yes, when it fits your family. Online sessions are by secure video through SimplePractice and are only for clients located in Pennsylvania at the time of each session. Many families start in person and add online sessions later.
References
Published by True North Vitality, a counseling practice of Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors in Westmoreland County. Last updated November 2, 2026. This page is general information, not medical or mental health advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for care.
You might also be looking for
- Parenting supportCounseling for parents, co-parents and blended families in Greensburg, Ligonier and online.Learn more
- Family therapyHelp for parents, teens and blended families with conflict, change and school struggles.Learn more
- Anxiety therapyCounseling for worry, panic and overthinking, with practical CBT, ACT and mindfulness tools.Learn more
- Depression therapyCounseling for low mood, emptiness and hopelessness, alongside a doctor when medication may help.Learn more
Ready to take the first step?
Call, email or send a short message to book a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll help you choose a counselor and an office in Greensburg, Irwin or Ligonier, or meet online anywhere in Pennsylvania.