Liane Kuhns, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Liane Kuhns

In over two decades of experience as a therapist, I have worked with individuals of all ages, with families and couples, in their homes, therapy offices, and via telehealth. My professional experience has been informed by working with individuals and families struggling with anxiety and depression, loss, family/interpersonal conflict, developmental changes, issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity, neurodivergence and intellectual disabilities, betrayal, the impact of physical and mental illness as well as substance abuse within families. I also have helped parents whose conflicts with each other disrupted their focus on what their children most needed.

Practice Description

My therapeutic approach is relational, systemic, attachment-based and trauma informed. Additionally, I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices. With children, I incorporate play therapy, as it is often through play that children express themselves and process difficult or confusing experiences and feelings. I support parents in responding more effectively to their children regarding behavioral and emotional challenges and setting them up for success.

I enjoy helping clients through co-discovery, which most importantly requires a positive, empathic and trusting therapeutic relationship. Clients have said they appreciate my non-judgmental orientation and “deeper dive” into what has kept them stuck. I focus on strengthening connection in relationships through helping clients recognize and shift negative patterns of interaction including the role of anticipation, attachment fears and negative beliefs. Improving their emotional regulation also helps clients overall, including their ability to experiment with healthier patterns and more effective communication. Reflecting on communication style and the impact of attachment injuries or fears gives clients opportunity to create an expanded view of self, their symptoms and tendencies and a different approach to others. As a therapist, being trauma-informed is always important; when appropriate, I can also be trauma-focused if clients are open to that. Whatever the presenting issue, I explore clients’ ambivalence and readiness to experiment with action-oriented change. When applied with intentionality, an empathic orientation, use of clients’ strengths and a sensitive degree of humor, I find this to be a powerful approach which has contributed to the positive effect my clients usually describe achieving through their work with me. I consider it an honor when clients share their life stories that have harnessed their strengths and fostered their vulnerabilities.

Qualifications & Training

  • Licensed Professional Counselor, PC002335, Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy)
  • The Gottman Method, Level One (The Gottman Institute)
  • Certified in Eco-Systemic Family Therapy (The Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center)

Education

  • Master of Arts in Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University