Zia Klein (Cook-Andres), LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Zia Klein, LCSW, is a compassionate, collaborative therapist who believes healing should feel supportive, individualized, and free from judgment. With 10 years of experience, Zia is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate trauma, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), maternal mental health, and the emotional challenges that accompany different stages of life.
Her approach is warm, genuine, and grounded in the belief that therapy should honor the whole person—not simply focus on a diagnosis. As a Health at Every Size (HAES)-aligned and social justice-informed clinician, Zia celebrates body diversity and strives to create an affirming space where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
Whether you’re struggling with your relationship with food or your body, processing trauma, navigating intrusive thoughts, or experiencing the complexities of womanhood and aging, Zia offers a space to explore, heal, and grow at your own pace.
And because healing doesn’t always have to feel so serious, she believes a little humor can go a long way.
Therapy That Makes Room for All of You
Therapy isn’t about changing who you are or meeting someone else’s expectations of what healing should look like.
Sometimes it means processing experiences that have shaped how you see yourself. Sometimes it’s learning to navigate intrusive thoughts, reconnecting with your body, or finding your footing during a difficult life transition.
Zia adapts her approach to meet your individual needs, experiences, and goals.
Her therapeutic style incorporates:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals process distressing memories and traumatic experiences. Zia incorporates EMDR to support clients in working through difficult experiences and reducing the emotional impact of past trauma.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps individuals develop greater psychological flexibility, navigate difficult emotions, and move toward a life that reflects their personal values. Rather than fighting against uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, clients learn new ways to relate to their experiences with greater acceptance and self-compassion.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is an evidence-based treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Through a gradual, collaborative approach, Zia helps clients confront fears and uncertainty while reducing compulsive responses that can interfere with everyday life.
Health at Every Size (HAES) & Weight-Inclusive Care
With extensive experience treating eating disorders, Zia brings a compassionate, weight-inclusive perspective to therapy. Her HAES-aligned approach challenges weight stigma, respects body diversity, and supports individuals in developing a more peaceful relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves.
These approaches are grounded in person-centered, trauma-informed, and socially conscious care, allowing therapy to evolve alongside your needs.
What Therapy with Zia Feels Like
Zia is warm, collaborative, compassionate, and refreshingly genuine. She understands that opening up about personal struggles can feel vulnerable, and she works to create an environment where you feel respected, supported, and comfortable being yourself.
Her approach balances evidence-based treatment with authentic human connection. She believes therapy can hold difficult emotions, meaningful growth, and even moments of laughter.
Zia has spent much of her clinical career working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and disordered eating. Her interests also include supporting women navigating maternal mental health, aging, trauma, and the emotional complexities that accompany life’s transitions.
She particularly values helping individuals develop greater self-acceptance and move away from expectations that they must look, feel, or live a certain way.
Zia earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 and has experience working with adolescents, adults, and older adults ever since.
Her philosophy is simple: You don’t have to have everything figured out, and you don’t have to become someone else to deserve healing.
Top Specialties
— Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating
— Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
— Trauma & PTSD
— Women’s Mental Health
— Maternal Mental Health
Common Concerns Addressed
— Body Image & Self-Acceptance
— Anxiety & Depression
— Intrusive Thoughts & Compulsive Behaviors
— Pregnancy, Prenatal & Postpartum Mental Health
— Aging & Life Transitions
— Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
— Emotional Regulation
— Stress & Coping Skills
Populations Served but Not Limited To:
— Teens & Adolescents
— Adults
— Older Adults & Seniors
— Women Across the Lifespan
— Pregnant & Postpartum Individuals
— LGBTQIA+ Clients
— Individuals of All Body Sizes & Identities
— All Backgrounds & Lived Experiences
A Little More Zia
Outside of her work as a therapist, Zia prioritizes spending quality time with her young daughter, nurturing a relationship rooted in presence, playfulness, and connection. She also values the love and support of her close-knit network of friends and family and enjoys time outdoors amongst nature.
Zia believes that caring for ourselves as whole people is essential to emotional well-being. She intentionally makes time for restorative and rejuvenating activities that bring balance and joy to her everyday life. Whether it’s treating herself to fresh flowers, getting lost in a good book, or exploring her hometown of Pittsburgh, Zia appreciates the simple moments that encourage connection, mindfulness, and self-care.
She looks forward to connecting with you and creating a supportive space for your own journey toward healing and growth.
Healing Doesn't Have to Follow a Straight Line
Zia believes healing begins when we allow ourselves to be human—imperfect, evolving, and deserving of compassion.
You don’t have to have the right words, know exactly what you need, or arrive at therapy with a plan. Together, you can explore your experiences, challenge patterns that no longer serve you, and work toward meaningful change that feels authentic to who you are.
Whether you’re navigating an eating disorder, processing trauma, managing intrusive OCD, or adjusting to a new chapter of life, Zia offers a space where every part of your story is welcome.
Zia provides convenient virtual counseling throughout Pennsylvania, allowing you to receive individualized care from a private and comfortable space that works for you.
Ready to get started? Connect with Zia today.