LCSW, 5 years of experience
Hello, I’m Amanda! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Bay Area. My specialties are DBT, parts work, EMDR, and Existential approaches. I became a therapist after experiencing therapy myself and though not every therapist clicked, the ones that saw me and really listened made all the difference. I use a neutral but warm approach and practice professional boundaries while still being human and allowing some humor in the therapy hour. I started in an inpatient substance use clinic, I have interned at an Indian health clinic, practiced palliative social work, and provided therapy for healthcare workers and first responders in both inpatient and telehealth settings. I practice evidenced-based therapy grounded in the most effective (and research based) part of therapy: the quality of the therapist-client relationship.
I will want to hear about your needs and about your background. I will review my approaches, including my initial thoughts about what might work well and estimated length of treatment. I am also open to questions about my approaches, plans, and respect that you are the expert on you.
My strengths are reflecting what I see with empathy and understanding and helping find the best approach for change. I’m a gamer, love music and will reference any of these things that ring true for you in our work.
Past and Present Trauma, Depression/Anxiety, Substance Misuse, Life Transitions, Self Esteem, LGBTQ
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an approach to managing difficult emotions; a set of tools that can help with our intense internal and external actions (why did I post that on Instagram?!? or why did I call my Ex?!?!). Sometimes it feels like it might be impossible to feel better and his is when I use these tools to explore what might fit your unique needs.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is an approach that is useful for trauma and reactions that don't improve with other approaches. It's not a one size fits all approach but I incorporate it as it fits your needs and our work. It can be powerful and it best for clients that are ready for trauma processing, and are willing to do the preparation to make it most effective.
As most religions and philosophies discuss, life has both pain and suffering. I find clients benefit from a an Existential approach when a clarity of values and a way to transform a narrative that no longer fits feels best. I draw from your own values, faith, and the wisdom of many shared philosophies to re-connect you to what is most important.
Often, we walk through the world and do not "identify" as having experienced trauma. There are major traumas, and there are ambiguous losses, grief, workplace burnout, compassion fatigue, and caregiver burnout, and the things life throws at us. All of these thing can impact like a major trauma, including in unexpected ways that even become strengths. I approach therapy with a trauma-informed care focus so that our work remains attentive to the individual needs and impacts of each person.
I have taken IFS coursework and have integrated the principles and techniques of IFS as my approach to "parts work." Parts work is a useful way to see how we behave without judgment and is a good fit for folks who tend to live up in the head, can't explain why they repeat the same unwanted behaviors with food, sex, substances, or relationships and yet deeply want to change.