Amanda Bruns
I specialize in working with adolescents, adults, and families who are navigating challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, relational wounds, and life transitions. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and curiosity. I believe in meeting clients where they are and tailoring therapy to fit their unique strengths and goals. Using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based interventions, I support clients in developing insight, building coping skills, and fostering resilience. I also incorporate psychoeducation and skill-building to help clients understand the impact of stressors and regain a sense of control. Whether you're looking for support for yourself, your child, or your family, I aim to create a safe and affirming space for healing and growth. Let’s connect and see how we can work together.
First session
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you've never done it before. You might wonder what you're supposed to say, whether you'll be judged, or if you'll be expected to share your deepest, darkest secrets right away. The good news? You don't have to have anything figured out before we meet, and there's no pressure to tell me your entire life story in the first 50 minutes. Our first session is really about getting to know each other. I'll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, what's going well in your life, what's been challenging, and what you hope might be different. We'll talk a little about your history, relationships, and experiences, but we'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. You're always welcome to ask questions, and I'll explain what we're doing and why. Therapy should never feel like something that's being done to you, but rather something we're working on together. I also believe that finding the right therapist is a little like dating—sometimes you need to meet someone to know whether it's a good fit! I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, and that includes deciding whether my personality and approach work for you. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling heard, understood, and maybe a little more hopeful than when you arrived. You might not walk away with all the answers, but I'd love for you to feel that you have someone in your corner who genuinely cares, isn't afraid to ask thoughtful questions, and can help you make sense of things. My approach is always tailored to the people I'm working with. In individual therapy, we focus on your experiences, goals, and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. When working with couples or families, the focus shifts toward understanding relationship dynamics, improving communication, and helping everyone feel heard while recognizing their own role in creating change. Regardless of who's in the room, I bring the same warmth, curiosity, humor, and willingness to offer honest feedback. Most importantly, you don't have to show up as the best version of yourself. You can come feeling anxious, frustrated, sad, confused, or even unsure whether therapy will help. Just show up as you are. We'll figure out the rest together.
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to therapy is the ability to balance compassion with honesty. I believe people need to feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted, but I also believe meaningful growth sometimes requires being challenged. I'm not a therapist who will simply nod along and ask, "How does that make you feel?" for an entire session. I'll listen, validate, and hold space when that's what you need, but I'll also gently challenge your thinking, point out patterns, and offer honest feedback when I think it might help you move forward. I bring warmth, curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of real-life perspective to my sessions. My own life experiences, including making mistakes, learning healthier ways of communicating, and experiencing significant life transitions, have taught me that personal growth is rarely a straight line. I understand that knowing what you should do and actually doing it are two very different things. After more than 15 years working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, I've learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Some days you may need someone to sit with you in the hard stuff, without trying to fix it. Other days, you might need someone to help you recognize that the same patterns keep showing up in your life—and that you have the power to change them. I also believe therapy doesn't always have to feel heavy. Humor can be incredibly healing, and I love when clients feel comfortable enough to laugh, be themselves, and show up without worrying about being judged. Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be vulnerable, supported enough to take risks, and challenged enough to grow. I'll meet you where you are, but I won't necessarily let you stay stuck there.
Ideal clients
I especially enjoy working with older teens and young adults as they navigate the sometimes exciting, sometimes overwhelming transition into adulthood. It's a time filled with big decisions, changing relationships, questions about identity, and the challenge of figuring out who you are and what you want your life to look like. That said, my ideal client isn't defined by a particular age or stage of life. I enjoy working with people who are navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, or simply feeling stuck. I'm particularly drawn to helping individuals understand how their past experiences, including family dynamics and learned patterns, influence how they think, feel, and interact with the world today. I appreciate working with people who are curious about themselves, open to exploring different perspectives, and willing to consider making changes—even if they're not quite sure where to start. You don't have to be motivated or optimistic every day, and you certainly don't need to have all the answers. A little curiosity and a willingness to show up are enough. I work especially well with people who appreciate a therapist who is warm, genuine, and compassionate, but also willing to be direct. I believe therapy should be collaborative, practical, and occasionally even fun. We'll explore what's happening beneath the surface, identify patterns that may be getting in your way, and develop realistic strategies to help you move forward. Ultimately, I love working with people who want to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and create lives that feel more fulfilling and authentic. Whether you're 18 and trying to figure out adulthood, 40 and questioning the direction of your life, or 65 and realizing it's time to do something differently, there's always room for growth, healing, and change.