(Please note, I do not have any current late afternoon (after 3pm) or evening appointments available for new clients at this time.) Hello and welcome! I'm thrilled to be considered as part of your wellbeing journey. I'm a LCSW with over 3 years of experience working with children, teens, and adults. Prior to becoming a clinician, I worked for many years in the early childhood education field and as a counselor for teens in a residential setting. I have graduate degrees in both human and social services (2019) and social work (2021). I became DBT certified in 2024 and offer a modified DBT approach. I'm also currently working on my PhD in social work at Walden University. I'm passionate about the benefits of therapy and the positive difference a caring relationship with a therapist can bring. The most important part of my clinical approach is to build a foundation of respect, safety, gentleness and communication. From there, we can work together to support your goals and learn new skills. In my spare time, I enjoy art, animals and pets, being in nature, and travel. Limited sliding scale options available for cash pay.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will focus on getting to know one another and building our therapeutic connection. If ready to do so, I'll explore a little more about your past and what brings you to therapy now. I'd love to learn about what you want to gain from therapy, how you best feel supported, and more about what you think works best for you personally to get the most out of your sessions. We can also begin to think about goals for therapy this session.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe that my strengths as a provider include lived experience with a mental health journey myself, a compassionate and flexible approach, genuine interest in connection with my clients, warmth, and a sense of humor. Therapy can be effective and beneficial without being stuffy or overly clinical!
About Amy Nelson
Amy Nelson offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT can help to support new ways of thinking and increased awareness of how thoughts can impact emotions and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Modified DBT can be utilized as a skill set that will help with reducing distress and navigating triggering situations, feelings, or experiences. (DBT Certified 2024)
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
For those looking for limited time treatments, we can work together to focus on problem solving through solution-focused treatment methods for present challenges. In as little as 3-6 sessions, we can support skill building and create a toolbox of solution-focused skills for use in day to day life.
Couples Counseling
Working with couples focuses on emotional awareness of partner's needs, boundaries and communication, intimacy support, and solution-focused problem solving.