Dr. Waganesh Zeleke

Dr. Waganesh Zeleke is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a doctorate in Counselor Education and supervision, Ed. Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling, MA in Intercultural Youth and family development, MA in Psychology and Special Needs, BA in Pedagogical science. She also works as an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University.
She specializes in clinical mental health counseling and psychotherapy. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in the field, including working in agencies and private in Africa and the USA. Her expertise is in treating some of the most complex and challenging problems that people face in their lives and helping clients manage stress, negotiate life transitions, find, manage, or heal relationships, and find fulfillment in life, love, and work. She also supervises and trains future therapists so that they can help others.
Dr. Zeleke provides mental health and wellness counseling on issues related to autism, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, adjustment disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and maladaptive behaviors. She sees individuals, couples, and families in my clinical practice. Appointments are performed while speaking English or Amharic.
Dr. Zeleke’s treatment approach provides support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. She draws upon various styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for you.
Born in Ethiopia during the civil war and growing up in this beautiful yet troubled and changing land made her a striver for perspectives such as mindfulness and self-compassion that could help her cope with societal pressures that she couldn’t control. She came to the US to study for her doctorate in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Montana. After completing her doctoral degree, she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and practiced psychotherapy for more than ten years. Currently, she also teaches graduate courses in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Dr. Zeleke’s research focuses on clinical issues, including mental health disorders (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, attachment issues) and neurodevelopment-ally diverse (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). She has published over 35 articles and book chapters and disseminated over 65 professional conference presentations in autism, parenting, trauma, and immigrant mental health.