Professional Therapy Tailored to Your Unique Needs
Thought Provoking is a boutique therapy practice serving individuals, children, teens, and families across the greater Pittsburgh area. Our name reflects what we value most — that meaningful reflection, done well, leads somewhere real.
We offer evidence-informed clinical care across a range of concerns, from anxiety and depression to trauma, family conflict, and life transitions. For clients who benefit from it, sessions can incorporate Animal-Assisted Therapy, delivered by a clinician certified in AAT as a structured clinical intervention — not simply an amenity.
We offer a different approach compared to the typical therapy experience. Calmer. More approachable. Without sacrificing clinical rigor.
Trusted Therapy Helping You Navigate Life’s Challenges Daily.
One-on-one sessions built around what you're actually dealing with — anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or self-esteem.
Space for real communication, conflict resolution, and rebuilding trust across the whole family system.
Evidence-informed approaches including EMDR and trauma-focused therapy to reduce distress and move forward.
Age-appropriate approaches that meet younger clients where they are and help them engage on their own terms.
Animal-Assisted Therapy in Moon Township, PA
At Thought Provoking, Animal-Assisted Therapy is a structured clinical intervention delivered by a clinician holding the C-AAIS (Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist) credential. That means the inclusion of a therapy cat is intentional, ethical, and tied directly to your treatment goals.
Karma and Kismet (pictured below) may be present as a grounding support during session, or incorporated into specific activities aligned with what you’re working on. Their involvement is guided by clinical judgment. Not every session includes them. When it does, it’s purposeful. Kismet is AAAIP-certified alongside Shannon.
AAT at Thought Provoking is integrated within broader evidence-informed approaches including CBT, EMDR, trauma-focused therapy, play therapy, and family work. You’ll work on the same concerns you came in for. For many clients, having a calm, trained animal nearby makes it easier to open up and stay regulated while doing that work.
Proceeds from all Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions are donated directly to Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue, the organization that once sheltered Karma and Kismet. It’s a commitment that ties the clinical work back to the rescue community that made it possible.
"Kismet" means fate or destiny. In ancient cultures, the concept implies a form of practical fatalism, a resignation and acceptance of the course of events as divinely ordained. In modern, popular culture it refers to positive coincidences or events that seem "meant to be."
"Karma" is the concept of cause and effect; meaning good deeds lead to positive outcomes and bad deeds to negative ones. It signifies moral responsibility, suggesting individuals shape their destiny through their own intentional behavior, creating a cycle of rebirth until liberation.
Common Questions About Therapy at Thought Provoking
You can request an appointment by visiting the Request Appointment page*. Once we receive your inquiry, we'll reach out to discuss availability and next steps.
If you prefer, you can also call us directly at 724-913-2040.
*Please do not include any personal health information in the form, as messages are sent through a non-secure system.
Yes. We are scheduling new clients now. Reach out through the Request Appointment page* or call 724-913-2040 to get started.
Yes, Thought Provoking works with a range of insurance providers to make care accessible. We accept most major commercial insurances including Highmark, UPMC, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna, Optum, and Medicare.
Because coverage can vary between plans, we recommend contacting our office directly to confirm whether your specific plan is accepted and to review any co-pays or deductibles that may apply.
For clients using self-pay, standard session fees are $200–$250 depending on the type and length of session.
Payment is due at the time of your appointment unless other arrangements are made in advance. We're happy to discuss your options before your first visit.
Session length and frequency vary depending on the client and the nature of the work. We'll discuss what makes sense for your situation before getting started.
Sessions at Thought Provoking are conducted in person at our Moon Township location. In-person sessions are also required for any sessions incorporating Animal-Assisted Therapy.
The first session is primarily a conversation. It gives Shannon a chance to understand what you're dealing with, what you're hoping to get out of therapy, and whether Thought Provoking is the right fit. There's no pressure to cover everything at once. The goal is to get a clear picture of where you are and what kind of support makes the most sense.
Animal-Assisted Therapy is a structured clinical intervention — not simply having a pet in the room. At Thought Provoking, a certified therapy cat is integrated intentionally into evidence-informed treatment approaches including CBT, EMDR, trauma-focused therapy, and family work. There's a treatment plan, measurable goals, and tracked progress. For a fuller explanation of how AAT works and who it tends to help, visit our Animal-Assisted Therapy page.
The C-AAIS (Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist) is issued by the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP). It reflects advanced training and demonstrated competency in delivering ethical, evidence-informed animal-assisted interventions. It requires adherence to professional standards, ongoing education, and established best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and animals. In the Pittsburgh area, it's a credential held by very few clinicians.
Having an animal in an office is an amenity. Animal-Assisted Therapy delivered by a C-AAIS certified clinician is a clinical intervention. The difference is training, structure, and intent. At Thought Provoking, the therapy cat's involvement is guided by clinical judgment, tied to treatment goals, and integrated within a broader evidence-informed approach.
No. Participation in Animal-Assisted Therapy is always optional. The cat may simply be present in the room, or not present at all depending on the session. There's no pressure to engage, and the pace is always guided by the client.
AT tends to be particularly useful for children and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation challenges, ADHD, or a general resistance to traditional talk therapy. That said, every client is different. The best way to find out whether it's a good fit is to have a conversation with us first.
That's common, and it's something we're experienced in working with. The first session is low pressure and designed to help younger clients feel comfortable at their own pace. For many children and teens, the presence of a calm therapy cat makes the environment feel less clinical and easier to settle into.
Thought Provoking serves individuals, children, teens, and families across the greater Pittsburgh area. Shannon has more than 20 years of experience working across a broad range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, family conflict, and life transitions.
The practice is located at 533 Carnot Road, Moon Township, PA 15108. Serving clients from across the greater Pittsburgh region including Robinson Township, Coraopolis, Kennedy Township, North Fayette, Imperial, and surrounding West Hills communities.
