JESSICA Z. WOLFE LCSW
FOUNDER/CHIEF EXECUTIVE VISONARY
As the founder and CEO of Open Gate Therapeutics, Jessica Z. Wolfe is a trailblazing mental health professional with a 20-year legacy of transformative impact. With a bold vision for equitable access to culturally sensitive care, Jessica has pioneered a new standard of excellence in mental health services.
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A seasoned practitioner Jessica has navigated diverse settings, from community health to medical and technology industries, honing her expertise in clinical therapy, case management, advocacy, and program development. Her commitment to underserved populations began through her AmeriCorps service in1999.
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Driven by a passion for empowerment, Jessica champions evidence-based practices like EMDR, CBT, and TF-CBT, infused with a trauma-informed approach. As CEV, she spearheads Open Gate Therapeutics' mission to use all our collective knowledge and experience to dismantle systemic barriers and disparities, fostering a culture of hope and inclusivity, where every individual can thrive and reach their full potential.
JENNIFER BERTOCCHI LCSW
CLINICAL DIRECTOR THERAPIST
Jennifer is a licensed social worker and practicing mental health therapist based in Pittsburgh, PA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s in Social Work from Temple University. With over five years of experience as a crisis responder and advocate, Jennifer is passionate about empowering individuals living at the intersections of various marginalities, including people who use drugs, people who experience homelessness, and people who live with chronic health conditions.
Trained primarily in Gestalt and trauma-focused therapy frameworks, Jennifer employs a strengths-based, person-in-environment approach. Her expertise encompasses harm reduction, substance use, co-occurring experiences, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, trauma cycles, chronic illness, and crisis intervention.
Believing in the transformative power of a strong therapeutic alliance, Jennifer creates a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic space for healing. She utilizes a holistic approach to mental health that honors the mind, body, and spirit, and recognizes that life is a continuous journey of healing and growth, marked by its fluctuations.
In her practice, Jennifer strives to foster awareness and self-regulation, guiding clients to explore their experiences and emotions without judgment or shame. She acknowledges the challenges of facing pain, confusion, and uncertainty, yet believes that therapy can facilitate accountability, growth, and restoration of choice. Jennifer is excited to grow alongside her clients, using creative pathways and incorporating art, music, and movement to problem solve together. She holds a deep belief that people are inherently good and deserving of support and safety, which drives her passion for helping clients make positive changes in their lives.
DANIELLE GRACE WRIGHT, MA, LAPC
CLINICAL THERAPIST
Dani is a transpersonal, psychedelic therapist who holds an associate professional counselor license. She is trauma-competent and uses approaches like EMDR, parts work (akin to Internal Family Systems), mindfulness, aspects of CBT and DBT, somatic awareness, creative expression, movement, and music, to help clients find a container of healing that works for each individual – Dani combines these approaches with Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy for those interested and able.
Dani works with her clients to customize a healing experience based on their strengths and growing edges. Working within a holistic psychospiritual framework, her work with clients often entails the exploration and harmonization of individual parts contained within the mind, the body, and the soul / spirit within the context of the client’s sense of self, their environment, and their divine.
Her universal objective is to guide her clients in discovering and unlocking their own inner healer to help remove or navigate obstacles in the way of nurturing self and strengthen the relationship of love and beauty that is within. Dani has extensive experience with healing around expanded / psychedelic states of consciousness and also offers her services to assist with healing in normal states.
AKITA DONALD, MPC, CAADC
CLINICAL THERAPIST
Akita is an experienced, compassionate therapist with over a decade of expertise in trauma-informed care. She holds a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University, specializing in trauma, and is certified in drug and alcohol counseling. Additionally, Akita is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a highly regarded method for trauma processing.
As the Former Executive Director of AD99 Solutions, Akita has lead efforts to address the stark racial inequalities and disparities that exist in the region. She founded AD Counseling Services, which provides behavioral health consulting and community-based training. As an Adjunct Professor at Slippery Rock University, Akita taught courses in sociology, nonprofit management, interdisciplinary studies, and related subjects. During her tenure as a Frederick Douglass Scholar Fellow, she facilitated transformative, culturally enriching experiences that deepened students' and faculty members' understanding of diversity and social justice.
In her clinical practice, Akita works with individuals, couples, and families to provide a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy. She is committed to supporting clients in managing life’s challenges, improving emotional well-being, and strengthening interpersonal connections. While Akita’s approach is grounded in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), she tailors therapeutic techniques to align with each client’s needs and goals. This personalized, evidence-based approach cultivates healing, resilience, and lasting transformation.
