Pioneer Counseling and Consulting to open second office in McMurray
A Washington counseling center will expand into McMurray next month.
Pioneer Counseling and Consulting, which opened its first office in Washington in 2023, will debut a second location at Waterdam Plaza. The target opening date is Dec. 1.
Megan Koontz, office administrator, said the demand exists to expand the operation to a second location.
“We will have space for group therapy, whereas in this office we have one family room,” Koontz said of the 400 Locust Ave. location. “It’s a nice size, but it’s not what we’re looking for in terms of hosting any group therapy sessions, such as anger management or group therapy. There, we will have more space to meet the needs of more groups or individual patients.”
Pioneer offers therapy and counseling services for adults, family and children. Professional counselors and social workers are available to provide the services.
In-person sessions are available as well as virtual telemedicine with skilled teletherapy providers.
Services offered include relationship therapy, conflict resolution, trauma therapy, family therapy, couples mediation services and life coaching.
“When we had (the COVID pandemic), everybody went into telehealth or being at home,” Koontz explained. “Now, we’ve been able to open the doors and have in-person sessions. I think that human-to-human contact is so important. That’s what is so great about having a practice that’s local. You can come and sit in a cozy environment that’s comfortable and calming and have a conversation with someone.”
Pioneer’s staff includes a psychologist, a nurse practitioner and licensed professional counselors. An additional licensed professional counselor is being sought.
“We are a practice of providers who offer therapy in person and telehealth, as well as medication management,” Koontz said. “We’re just trying to meet the needs of the community in mental health. We provide therapy for many different needs.”
Koontz, a Florida native who has lived in Washington since 2018, said she enjoys being a part of the Pioneer family.
“I personally feel that mental health is so important,” Koontz said. “We really need to focus on self care. We live in a society that’s go, go, go all the time. We don’t really have that mentality to take a step back. It’s always a race to the finish line. I really feel mental health and wellness is so important to living our best life.”
Pioneer’s hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
An open house is planned for the new location.