I’m Amity Olson, a licensed clinical social worker with over 17 years of experience helping adults heal from trauma and emotional neglect. I specialize in EMDR therapy and trauma-informed care, offering a compassionate, structured approach to help you process past wounds, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and build resilience. My goal is to create a safe space where you can feel supported and empowered on your healing journey.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where we begin by discussing your goals for therapy and any challenges you’ve been facing. I’ll take time to listen to your story, learn about your experiences, and understand what brings you to therapy. Together, we’ll explore your current concerns and determine if EMDR therapy or other therapeutic approaches, like CBT, would be a good fit for you. We’ll also review the structure of our work together, including how we’ll create a treatment plan that aligns with your healing journey. Most importantly, the session will focus on making you feel comfortable, respected, and empowered to move forward at your own pace.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider lie in my empathetic, nonjudgmental approach, combined with my extensive knowledge of trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy. I create a safe space where clients feel heard and understood, which helps them open up and engage in the healing process. My ability to tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs allows for flexible support. Additionally, my personal experience as a mother has given me deep empathy for parents, especially those navigating the complexities of raising children with food allergies, which informs my work with families. Ultimately, I’m committed to helping clients feel empowered, supported, and equipped to heal at their own pace.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am best positioned to serve adults, particularly women, who are healing from trauma, emotional neglect, and childhood wounds. Many of my clients struggle with feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and shame, often stemming from past experiences that have shaped their sense of self and relationships. I also work with mothers raising children with food allergies, who face unique stressors in balancing their emotional well-being with the demands of caregiving. My clients are often seeking relief from anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma but have not found lasting change through traditional talk therapy. I offer telehealth services to meet their needs, providing a flexible, compassionate approach to healing.
About Amity Olson
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my sessions, I integrate CBT to help clients recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, shame, and self-doubt. By identifying negative beliefs and reframing them, clients gain healthier perspectives and more effective coping strategies.
EMDR
I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process and heal from past trauma, emotional neglect, and deeply rooted negative beliefs. Through guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, clients can reprocess distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their own inner strengths, values, and motivations for change. By asking open-ended questions, offering reflections, and providing nonjudgmental support, I guide clients in resolving ambivalence and building confidence in their ability to move forward. This approach is especially helpful for those struggling with self-doubt, guilt, or fear of change, as it empowers them to take meaningful steps toward healing at their own pace.
Schema Therapy
I use Schema Therapy to help clients uncover and heal deeply ingrained patterns developed from childhood experiences, particularly those related to emotional neglect and trauma. By identifying core schemas—such as feelings of unworthiness or abandonment—we work to challenge and reframe these beliefs, replacing them with healthier, more adaptive perspectives. Through a mix of cognitive, emotional, and experiential techniques, I guide clients in breaking free from negative cycles and building stronger self-compassion.
Trauma Informed Care
I approach every session with a trauma-informed framework, ensuring that clients feel safe, supported, and in control of their healing process. I recognize how past trauma, including emotional neglect, shapes thoughts, behaviors, and relationships, and I tailor therapy to honor each client’s unique experiences. My goal is to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can heal without feeling retraumatized, fostering a sense of safety and self-trust along the way.