Creative Healing

I'm Avery Peffer and I help kids and teens break free
from the cycle of worry, overwhelm, and family stress.

My Approach

Parents often seek therapy when nothing else seems to be working. Their teen is anxious, stuck in OCD rituals, shutting down with depression, or caught in the middle of family conflict. My role is to give them tools that actually work — evidence-based strategies that calm big emotions, rebuild confidence, and create more peace at home.

Experience and Credentials

I’m currently earning my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Villanova University, and I’m a proud member of both Chi Sigma Iota and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societies. Before becoming a therapist, I spent more than ten years as a nanny and three years as a Registered Behavioral Technician supporting autistic children. That hands-on work taught me how to connect with kids, translate clinical tools into real-world language, and support families through the hard moments.

I also know what it’s like from the inside. I’ve lived through anxiety, OCD, and divorce in my own family. That personal experience drives my passion to help other teens feel less alone and more understood, because I’ve been there too.

Focus Areas

I have a concentration in working with teens who experience big emotions—those navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, and self-harm. Through my internship with Creative Healing, I am completing the DBT with Teens & Caregivers training program, a rigorous course that combines in-depth learning with an intensive practicum. This equips me with both the theory and hands-on skills to effectively support high-risk teens and their families.

I have also trained in Brainspotting directly from its creator, David Grand. This cutting-edge therapy helps teens process trauma at the deepest brain and body level, often reaching what talk therapy alone cannot.

My goal is to empower teens who struggle with disordered eating, self-harm, and other high-risk behaviors, while equipping parents with the tools they need to feel confident and connected as they support their child.

Beyond the Therapy Room

When I’m not working with clients or studying, you can usually find me reading, watercolor painting, watching movies with my roommate, or walking outside to reset and recharge.

Invest in Your Future

I provide appointments at our Wayne office, along with the option for online sessions, at the rate of $30 per session. Click the button below to get started. Please note, as a graduate intern, I am supervised by Jen Moyer.