Up & Coming

Groups & Events

Bridges

Middle & High School Group

This group has been created to help both middle and high school students practice skills learned in individual therapy, in a safely monitored group setting. The concept of the group is that peers are able to build bridges with each other for help and support, to avoid feeling isolated. There are two separate groups, one with middle school ages and another group for high school ages, with a maximum of 8 clients per group.

The topics discussed in this interactive group include understanding bullying, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and enhancing social interactions. The group is once a week for ten weeks and lasts an hour and a half, but this timeframe may be adjusted due to COVID restrictions. To help work on these skills, the group will consist of arts and crafts, interactive activities, group discussion, and more. Contact our front office for an information packet for more details

Middle School

High School

Positive Energy & Empowering Relationships (PEERS)

Social Skills Group

This social skills group has been created to help children practice skills learned in individual therapy, in a safely monitored group setting. This group is targeted for kids from 3rd to 5th grade, with a maximum of 8 kids per group.

The skills targeted in this interactive group include anger management, teambuilding, social skills, self-esteem, and more. This group is once a week after school, for eight weeks. Each session lasts an hour and a half, and includes group discussion, interactive games, and arts and crafts. Contact our front office for an information packet for more details.

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Breath Workshop

Breathing for Better Mental Health

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are hidden in plain sight.

When it comes to mental health, one of the most practical and effective things you can do is learn how to breathe properly.

In this 75 minute workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how to breathe for optimal health and easy techniques to incorporate breathwork into your daily life. You’ll have plenty of time to practice, ask questions and receive personal guidance from a seasoned teacher.

This workshop is for you if you:

Want practical tools to help yourself feel better
Are curious about breath work and want to learn more
Would like to feel less stressed and overwhelmed
Are prone to nervous system dysregulation

Who is this class for?

Teens and Adults of all ages and gender.

Who is this class for?

Teens and Adults of all ages and gender.

How many people will be in this class?

A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10.

Will movement be part of the program?

Yes, we’ll briefly move our bodies to stretch and loosen them up for pranayama (breath practice). No special clothing or yoga mats required.

Is this class accessible for those in a wheelchair?

Yes!

More Information

Enroll Here

$35/person

Sunday, August 13th from 3-4:30pm
at Pettigru Counseling and Associates

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Give Us a Call

(864) 271-3549
(864) 271-8282
Bilingual therapists available.

Our Address

405 Pettigru Street, Greenville SC 29601

Reach Out, We Can Help

Meet Our Therapists

Ari Livanos

MA, LPCA

Welcome! I understand that it can be uncomfortable to reach out to someone you don't know, with the expectation of sharing your story. I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space in order to foster a safe environment for growth. I use an interpersonal approach to work to understand "how did we get here?" and "how can you get to where you want to go?" I hold the belief that all individuals have the inner resources to move towards wholeness, and growth is what happens when we are able to connect to those inner resources. I enjoy working with clients from all walks of life, experiencing a variety of challenges.

Education:

University of North Carolina at Asheville, Bachelor of Science
University of Denver, Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Professional Experience:

Prior to working with Pettigru, I worked at a therapeutic wilderness program for teens and an organization that worked with young adults experiencing homelessness. I also have experience specifically with addictions/substance use and with older adults in assisted living.

Specialties:

Anxiety
Stress
Trauma and PTSD
Relationship challenges
Substance use
Life transitions

Therapeutic Lens:

Psychodynamic
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Self-compassion

Amanda Colantonio

MSW, LISW-CP

I am glad you decided to take the first step towards improving your mental well-being. We all go through unique life experiences that can be difficult to navigate alone. I'm dedicated to helping individuals learn to cope with day-to-day challenges to improve their quality of life. I utilize an eclectic therapy model which allows the most effective practices available to address each client’s individual needs.

Background:

I spent 40 years living on the coast of South Carolina in the beautiful town of Beaufort; a wonderful employment opportunity brought me to Greenville, SC in 2015. During my free time, I love to travel and spend quality time with family and friends.

Education:

University of South Carolina, Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
University of South Carolina, Master’s Degree in Social Work

Professional Experience:

I have worked in a variety of settings with diverse populations. My experience includes working in school systems with children experiencing behavioral challenges, in shelters with women and children experiencing domestic violence, in a community mental health center as a patient advocate and an on-call crisis counselor. Additionally, I have provided crisis intervention and support to patients in hospital emergency departments and with Veterans who are struggling with an array of issues to include - depression, domestic violence, family illness or family dysfunction, homelessness, PTSD, psychosis, substance abuse, and trauma.

Specialties:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Depression
Anxiety
Behavior Concerns
Crisis Intervention and Support
Divorce
Grief
Self-Esteem
Stress Management

Therapeutic Lens:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness
Solution Focused Therapy
Strength Based Therapy
Supportive Psychotherapy

Molly C. Melton

M. Ed., LPC

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. Whether you are brand new to therapy, starting therapy again, or looking for a better fit, I am happy to help you reach your personal goals. I strive to build on strengths you already have and help you discover strengths you didn’t know you had. It has been an honor over the years to be able to work together with families to help strengthen their family bonds, communication, and relationships. I enjoy working with children (4-12 yrs. old), adults, and families!

Education:

Winthrop University, Bachelor’s in Psychology
Clemson University, Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (go tigers!)

Professional Experience:

I have lived in the upstate my whole life and love it here! I am a licensed professional counselor and have been in the counseling field for over 6 years. I have experience working in the school setting and in private practice.

Specialties:

Emotional regulation
Social skills
Anxiety and depression
Self-esteem
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Boundary setting

Therapeutic Lens:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Behavior Modification
Family Systems
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Samantha Rousey

MA, LMFT

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” ― Rabindranath Tagore

As a counselor I like to accompany my clients on their journey through life and serve as a compass. Much like my quote above, I believe in planting seeds and nurturing my clients so that they can be the best and healthiest versions of their authentic selves. Throughout the therapeutic experience we will build autonomy, explore wants and needs, explore boundaries, reveal undesired behavior patterns, and sustain change. Ultimately, my hope is that you leave your experience with me as a healthier version of yourself. I would be honored to hear your story and share in this experience with you.

Education:

Columbia College, Bachelors in Psychology
Converse College, Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Experience:

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Addictions Counselor in the state of South Carolina. I have been a counselor since 2008, and enjoy working with adolescents, families, couples, and individuals with various psychiatric and/or substance use issues. I have experience working within home settings, Community Mental Health Centers, Greenville County Schools, Greenville Health Systems, Private Substance Use Treatment Centers, and Psychiatric Hospitals.

Specialties:

Couple’s Counseling
Relationship challenges
Parenting challenges
Women’s/Men’s issues
Family conflict

Therapeutic Lens:

Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Gottman Training (Couples)
Structural Family Therapy (SFT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Miranda Llano

MA, LPC

Sometimes life is not what we expected it to be. There are ups and downs, and we can almost feel suffocated and not know where to turn to. That is where therapy can be life-changing, and finding the right therapist can be a starting point for interpersonal growth.

I value the relationship between myself and the client, and work really hard to build rapport to create trust. I love to empower my clients, so they can have emotionally healthier lifestyles, better relationships with others, and overall, more positive family environments. I, especially, have a passion for helping parents navigate the many stressors related to parenting.

My approach to therapy is being a sounding board to help clients take control of their lives, with my support and guidance. This is your life, and I am here for the ride. I encourage my clients because I see the importance of just being heard and respected.

Education:

North Greenville University, Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberty University, Master’s in Professional Counseling

Professional Experience:

am grateful to have been part of Pettigru Counseling since 2018. Prior to this, I worked in a variety of settings including group home settings, inpatient facilities, churches, in the school systems and community mental health centers. I have been able to work with little ones all the way up to older adults.

Specialties:

Bringing Baby Home (www.gottman.com/blog/bringing-baby-home-the-research/)
Relationship challenges
Parenting challenges
Emotional challenges
Life transitions
Women’s issues
Self-esteem
Christian Counseling

Therapeutic Lens:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Mindfulness
Client-Centered
Emotionally-Focused Therapy

Meg Rigamonti

MA, LPC

“The human tendency is to withhold or protect; yet the fruit of growth comes when you let others inside… Do not wait for change to happen, take the initiative to face what you have been afraid to know.” -Cloud & Townsend

You’re doing it! You’re starting a journey of growth that takes a lot of courage, and I am proud of you. It may not feel like you’ve done much yet, but this part, making the call and showing up, is the hardest step, and you’re doing it! There are a lot of questions that we all ask ourselves from deep within, no matter what is happening around us in life: Who am I? What is my purpose? Am I even doing this right? Why do I feel this way?? Is it worth it? We can get overwhelmed by these questions and all that life contains. It’s… a lot.

As a therapist my job is to come alongside you on this journey, to listen but also to ask questions to help you explore what’s going on, and make connections that help you see a solution to improve your patterns and connections with others.

Together we will approach the therapeutic process in three distinct phases. The first phase of therapy is sorting through compound emotions so that you feel more control over your body, can communicate even while feeling triggered, and can establish healthier boundaries with the people around you. The second phase is untangling the deception of negative core beliefs and moving towards more adaptive beliefs about yourself. This phase may also include trauma processing, but for everyone this phase is to help clients move past stuck-points in their journey (Haven’t we passed this tree before??). The third phase of therapy is developing new adaptive beliefs, exploring the authentic self, maintaining healthy boundaries, and helping support you as you maintain the gains you have made in therapy.

Education:

North Greenville University, BA in Christian Studies
Columbia International University, MA in Clinical Counseling

Professional Experience:

Internship at the SC Department of Corrections Women’s Facility
Therapist and Supervisor at the SCDMH, Greenville Mental Health Center
Private Practice Therapist at Pettigru Counseling Associates

Specialties:

Trauma treatment (PTSD)
Anxiety (Panic, Social and other Phobias, OCD, etc.)
Depression
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/Adult ADHD)
Grief & Loss
Life transitions
Marriage & Relationship Issues
Family Issues
Spirituality

Therapeutic Lens:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
The Gottman Method
Clinical Counseling through a Christian lens (only when requested by the client)

Heather Younts

MA, LPC

“Our greatest fear and our deepest need is to be fully known and fully loved” -Unknown Author

I am honored to be allowed in the sacred space of my client’s lives. I believe trust should be earned and cultivated through the therapeutic relationship in order to begin to fully enter into the work of healing. I walk alongside and encourage my clients as they push through the struggles and obstacles of life. I am constantly amazed at the resilience and strength that each of my clients display. No matter how dark the road seems, there is a path forward and I am there to help my clients walk through it.

I grew up in Lexington, SC and have lived in Greenville since 2011. I love the mountains, reading, and spending time with family, including my husband and son.

Education:

Erskine College, Bachelor’s in Psychology and Spanish in 2002
Columbia International University, Master of Arts in Counseling in 2007

Professional Experience:

I have worked in many diverse treatment settings over the past 15 years, including community mental health, school-based services, a psychiatric hospital, a residential treatment setting, alcohol and drug treatment, and private practice. This diverse experience is part of what helps inform my work with my clients. I use a tailored approach to therapy for each client but draw mostly from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT). I also integrate several holistic elements into my therapy approach, involving the mind, body, and spirit. I primarily work with women and young adults from the ages of 16 and up.

I am trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which has proven very effective to reduce the distress related to traumatic events as well as reducing the hold of negative thoughts patterns and core beliefs.

Specialties:

Anxiety
Trauma
Depression
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

Therapeutic Lens:

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Integrative/Holistic Therapy

Natasha Patino

MA, LPC

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

Hope is something I often hold for my clients, until they can hold it themselves. I work to foster independence in a supportive and co-created environment, allowing space (or the opportunity) for clients to find the hope they are looking for. My passion as a therapist is to be a team with my clients. I use a client-centered approach, where I empower my clients to have a voice while I guide them on their journey.

My approach to therapy is that I can be very direct yet work hard to do it in a respectful way. No matter what you are going through in your life, you are already looking for help, and that is already a major step. I am hopeful that you can find the therapist that best fits your needs to help you meet your goals and reduce your distress.

As far as my personal background, my mother is Puerto Rican, and my father is Colombian. I was born in Lowell, Massachusetts but was raised here in Greenville. My interests include running, hiking, reading, coffee, traveling, board games, and just spending time with my husband, my yorkie, family, and friends.

Education:

University of South Carolina (Columbia), Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice
Webster University, Master’s in Professional Mental Health Counseling

Professional Experience

I have been working in the mental health field since 2008, and have had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings including: school-based services, intensive in-home services, intensive family services, community mental health centers, working with immigrant populations, and in private practice. I have also been able to collaborate and work alongside various agencies to serve our community including Safe Harbor (domestic violence center), Julie Valentine Center (local rape crisis center), local police enforcement, Switch (Human Trafficking Prevention), and more.

Specialties:

Bilingual Services (Spanish)
Trauma
Complex trauma
Immigration trauma
Women’s/Men’s issues
Life transitions
Family conflict
Relationship challenges
Self-esteem

Therapeutic Lens:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy (emdria.org)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Attachment-based
Culturally Sensitive
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Please visit my website at natashapatino.com for more information. Para obtener más información en español, visite mi sitio web en natashapatino.com

Amanda Hood

MSW, LISW-CPS

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” - Nibo R Qubein

My commitment as a therapist is to work collaboratively with each client to help secure a comfortable and confidential space, where we can create real life changes through identifying the most cohesive and effective treatment strategies to address their own unique and individual needs. As we go through life, we often develop patterns, coping techniques and defense mechanisms to help navigate our own life circumstances. I seek to help clients recognize the strengths in the adaptive skills that they have already built, as well as to learn new tools and methods to address any patterns that no longer serve them well.

Life challenges can become so hectic at times that people often just don’t know what to do next. I have found that so many people these days report feeling overwhelmed, which can lead to feelings such as irritability, being frozen or just stuck. Because the physical symptoms that often accompany issues related to stress, anxiety or depression have not been generally discussed or really understood, so many people are left feeling isolated. One of the most important decisions in the therapeutic process is the choice to schedule the first appointment, allowing you to be able to take the time needed to learn new tools, resources and strategies that will help you on your path to healing and experiencing real life change.

Background:

I am a native of the Upstate of South Carolina and have a passion for not only working with people towards creating positive changes, but also through advocacy and working with our canine friends in need. As I seek to try to learn something new every day, I have found that the lessons learned from my experiences working with animals, such as dogs and horses, are truly invaluable.

Education:

Coastal Carolina University, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
University of South Carolina College of Social Work, Master of Social Work
State of South Carolina LISW-CP approved Supervisor

Professional Experience:

I have been given opportunities to work in many diverse, yet specialized practice roles and settings prior to developing my own practice with Pettigru Counseling Associates, in 2008. These experiences include working in a specialized Child Sexual Abuse unit, within the Department of Social Services to ensure treatment and safety planning, as well as working in public mental health settings, providing therapy to children and adolescents. I have served as a liaison, working with families involved with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, Family Court and the school systems. I’ve had an opportunity to work with the National Health Service Corps, a federal program designed to provide treatment to teenagers and their families living in areas where there is a critical need for mental health providers.

Specialties:

Anxiety (Panic, Social and other Phobias, Obsessive thoughts, OCD, etc.)
Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Family issues (Communication, Parenting Challenges, Boundaries, Conflict)
Stress Management/Generalized Anxiety
Healing from Sexual Trauma and Sexual Abuse

Therapeutic Lens:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Mindfulness
Neuropsychotherapy
Strength-Based Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy (emdria.org)

Up & Coming

Bridges

Middle & High School Group

Positive Energy & Empowering Relationships (PEERS)

Social Skills Group

Breath Workshop

﻿Sometimes the most obvious solutions are hidden in plain sight.

When it comes to mental health, one of the most practical and effective things you can do is learn how to breathe properly.

Who is this class for?

Who is this class for?

How many people will be in this class?

Will movement be part of the program?

Is this class accessible for those in a wheelchair?

Office Hours

Give Us a Call

Our Address

Reach Out, We Can Help

Ari Livanos

MA, LPCA

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Amanda Colantonio

MSW, LISW-CP

Background:

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Molly C. Melton

M. Ed., LPC

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Samantha Rousey

MA, LMFT

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Miranda Llano

MA, LPC

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Meg Rigamonti

MA, LPC

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Heather Younts

MA, LPC

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Natasha Patino

MA, LPC

Education:

Professional Experience

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Amanda Hood

MSW, LISW-CPS

Background:

Education:

Professional Experience:

Specialties:

Therapeutic Lens:

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are hidden in plain sight.