My approach and how I work

My approach to working with clients is diverse, wide-ranging, and inclusive. It is based on various techniques, including body-centered psychotherapy, mindfulness, creative arts exercises, and cognitive and behavioral techniques.

You’ll be able to discuss what is present for you, bringing your ideas and concerns, and I’ll bring an accepting, supportive, non-judgemental attitude.

I care about, support, and take into consideration

• Client’s histories and how this shapes their current life experiences.

• Client’s culture, race, gender identity, religious and sexual orientation.

body-centered approaches

Western science confirms an age-old Eastern philosophy: mind and body are inseparable. Thoughts and feelings live in our heads and are stored in the body, and can be accessed through body-centered approaches.

We may work with body sensations by using mindfulness and body awareness exercises to practice being in the present moment. Learning how to quickly re-orient to the present can be very helpful for trauma, anxiety, and depression issues.

We may use body-centered approaches to take a deeper dive into processing the yucky stuff so that you can ultimately feel better, open, and accepting of yourself.

expressive and creative techniques

At times, our experience transcends words and is more of a felt sense—phenomena that are difficult to put into words yet are felt and sensed quite clearly (like when you hear a song that hits you deeply).  

This is when non-verbal or expressive techniques (art, movement, music, writing, storytelling, ritual, play, nature-based activities) can come into play, as these practices help better our understanding of deeper issues and inspire new ideas and insights.

Using the parts of our brain that tap into creativity and wonder helps us play, invent, trust, take risks, and imagine new possibilities.

I am trained to facilitate expressive arts activities and can integrate this into sessions. I focus on the process of creativity (what was it like to create) rather than the product (how good does that art look).

Cognitive and behavioral approaches

I also often return to the adage, "Don't believe everything you think." I enjoy offering different perspectives regarding the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Cognitive and behavioral interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are modalities I use because they offer a wide range of tools to help with perspective, judgment, thinking, and attitude. You will learn ways to cope with old problems.

Making meaning, living life

I also integrate ideas and techniques from Logotherapy to help find meaning and continued resilience. Logotherapy emphasizes that life has meaning under all circumstances—even during tragic, unjust, and unknown times.

There can be a sense of freedom and empowerment in choosing your attitude or perspective at any given moment, even when things seem hopeless.

I have the ability to focus on the deep stuff, like exploring what brings purpose and meaning to your life.

Who I Am

I’m Amanda, and I’m here to help. I am a steady, funny, sensitive therapist who can help you find ease in living day-to-day. I care for those experiencing emotions that feel out of control, confused about their past, and overwhelmed.

What makes me different is that I listen carefully and read between the lines, uncovering what might be happening underneath.

What I Want for You

I want you to be able to feel good most days. I want you to have the time and energy to focus on the things in life that matter to you—to lose being in survival mode, to stop beating yourself up, to bring the focus back to you.

I want you to experience consistent moments of self-confidence, contentment, and acceptance. I want to discover with you tools that help, that work.

Taking the Next Step

Feel free to connect with me to hear more about how I can help. I’d love to hear from you.