I’m Amanda Stoner, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California, providing telehealth services to clients in California, Nevada, and Idaho. I work with adolescents and adults who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, low motivation, self-esteem concerns, and executive functioning difficulties. In addition to individual concerns, I support clients who are going through relationship transitions, separation, divorce, and co-parenting challenges. I also have extensive experience helping families navigate school systems, including IEP and 504 plans, and can assist parents in advocating for the academic and emotional support their children need. My background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling. This training allows me to look at both the individual and the systems around them, helping clients better understand patterns, build practical skills, and move toward meaningful change. I’m especially passionate about supporting adolescents and young adults as they navigate identity development, life transitions, and the pressures that come with school, relationships, and growing independence.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During our first session, we’ll spend some time getting to know each other. You’ll have the opportunity to share what brings you to therapy and the goals you’d like to work toward. I’ll also explain a bit about how I work and answer any questions you may have about therapy in general or about my approach specifically. My priority is making sure we’re a good fit and that you feel comfortable sharing what’s on your mind.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strengths as a therapist lie in creating a safe, supportive, and client-centered environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and challenges without judgment. My reflective and empathetic communication style helps clients feel heard, understood, and validated in their experiences. I believe that clients are the experts on their own lives, and I see my role as a collaborative partner, someone who explores ideas, offers guidance, and helps develop practical strategies as we work toward meaningful goals together. Ultimately, I strive to support clients in building insight, confidence, and the tools they need to grow and create positive change within a relaxed and supportive therapeutic space.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am passionate about supporting both adolescents and adults as they navigate life’s challenges. With adolescents, I provide a safe and supportive space to work through concerns such as academic stress, peer relationships, identity development, and family dynamics. For adults, I offer therapy for issues including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, work-related stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. I also work with clients experiencing ADHD and executive functioning challenges, helping them build structure, improve motivation, and develop practical tools for daily life. My goal is to help clients build resilience, gain clarity, and develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate life more effectively.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I work collaboratively with teens and adults to understand and change the complex interplay of thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together, we'll explore the connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, identifying the root causes of your distress. I'll guide you in developing practical, personalized strategies for managing these challenges, fostering greater self-awareness and empowering you to create lasting positive change in your life.
Humanistic
In my collaborative work with teens and adults, I utilize humanistic principles to create a supportive and non-judgmental space for exploring authentic selves. Believing in your inherent capacity for growth, we'll identify obstacles hindering your journey toward self-actualization. This client-centered approach emphasizes your unique experiences, empowering you to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Together, we'll work towards realizing your full potential and creating positive change.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
You have the ability to create positive change. My collaborative approach empowers teens and adults to discover their inner strengths and achieve their goals through Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). With extensive experience in SFBT, I guide clients in developing practical strategies, emphasizing hope and optimism while focusing on what works well to create lasting results. For teens, this might involve exploring strengths and using relatable language to address challenges like social anxiety or academic pressure, such as identifying strategies for building stronger friendships. For adults, I address concerns like work stress or relationship issues, focusing on practical solutions and manageable steps toward their goals. I'm passionate about empowering clients to live fulfilling lives.
Motivational Interviewing
The process of positive change is facilitated by Motivational Interviewing (MI) in my work with teens and adults, where we discover and strengthen their own internal drive for positive change. This client-centered approach focuses on identifying your personal goals, understanding and working through any ambivalence you might be experiencing, and creating strategies that reflect what truly matters to you. MI puts you in the driver's seat, empowering you to make informed decisions and guide your own path towards lasting change.
Psychodynamic
Teens and adults can find healing and growth through psychodynamic therapy, which explores the unconscious patterns influencing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, within a strong therapeutic relationship. Through collaborative exploration of past experiences and relationships, we understand how they contribute to present challenges, addressing concerns like anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. This process of self-discovery empowers clients to gain deeper insights, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and create lasting positive change by identifying root causes. Together, we examine how past experiences shape current emotional well-being, fostering self-awareness and promoting long-term healing.
10 ratings with written reviews
November 10, 2025
I like that she can help me stay focused in our sessions. She is very good at helping me identify my feelings and thoughts.
November 3, 2025
Amanda makes me feel like I am on the right path, empowers me to continue making healthy choices, and gives me hope for a better future for me and my family.
August 15, 2025
Amanda always has great ideas for me to try and help organize my life better around my illness and other issues that arise. She helps calm me down and makes me feel like things are more feasible. She helps me tackle big projects by breaking them down into more manageable parts.