Amanda Rothfuss
Amanda Rothfuss
(she/her)
I’ve been in the field for over 25 years, working with a wide range of clients including children and adolescents, families, couples, Veterans, young adults, and older adults. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and grounded in evidence-based practices tailored to each individual’s unique needs. I’m especially passionate about creating a supportive space where people feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow. I hold a degree from Michigan State University and live in Michigan with my husband and our adult child with Autism. As a liberal and open-minded therapist, I value inclusion, deep listening, and the power of authentic connection in the healing process.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In your first therapy session, you can expect a welcoming, low-pressure environment where our main focus will be on getting to know each other. We'll begin with an intake and assessment process to better understand your history, current concerns, and goals for therapy. This includes using screening tools as part of measurement-based care, which helps us track symptoms over time and adjust our approach based on what’s working—or what’s not. We’ll start identifying goals together, but there’s no rush; building trust is essential, and we’ll move at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you. Along the way, I’ll offer tools and strategies to support engagement and help manage symptoms, always tailoring our work to your unique needs and preferences.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My approach as a therapist is grounded in authenticity, empathy, and a strong belief in meeting clients where they are. I use humor to gently disarm emotional armor, helping clients feel more at ease as we do meaningful work together. I’m a good listener who values psychoeducation—helping clients understand what’s happening in their brains and bodies so they can make informed, empowered choices. My eclectic style allows me to draw from multiple therapeutic modalities, tailoring support to each individual’s needs. I’m not afraid to have the tough conversations some therapists may avoid, and while I hold clients accountable for their choices, I also recognize the powerful role that systemic factors play in shaping those choices.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal therapy client is someone who values honesty, growth, and the process of self-discovery, regardless of where they are in their journey. While I’m open to working with individuals at any stage of change, I find my work is most meaningful when clients are willing to show up, engage in the process, and take an active role in their healing. I strive to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space—but I also believe that therapy works best when both client and therapist bring curiosity, accountability, and a sincere commitment to change. A bad attitude or resistance to participation makes that connection difficult, and I prioritize working with those who are open to doing the work
About Amanda Rothfuss
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
After 25 years as a therapist, CBT has remained a foundational approach in my work due to its practicality and effectiveness. I use it to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and build greater self-awareness. In practice, I often integrate CBT with other modalities, tailoring the approach to meet each client’s unique needs while maintaining its structured, goal-oriented focus. Over the years, I've seen how empowering it can be for clients to gain tools they can apply both in and outside of therapy.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has become an essential part of my clinical toolkit, especially when working with clients facing emotional dysregulation, relationship challenges, or a history of trauma. I use DBT to help clients build skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In practice, I integrate DBT both formally and informally, adapting its principles to fit the individual while maintaining its focus on validation, change, and balance. Over the years, I’ve seen how DBT can foster resilience, emotional stability, and meaningful growth in clients’ lives.
Compassion Focused
Compassion Focused Counseling has become a deeply meaningful part of my work, especially with clients who struggle with shame, self-criticism, or trauma. I use its principles to help clients develop a kinder, more supportive relationship with themselves, often introducing practices that foster self-compassion, emotional soothing, and a sense of inner safety. In practice, I integrate this approach to create a therapeutic space rooted in warmth, acceptance, and non-judgment, which can be especially powerful for those who have felt stuck in cycles of self-blame or emotional pain.
Eclectic
Eclectic counseling has become a natural and intuitive way for me to work, allowing me to draw from a wide range of therapeutic approaches based on each client's unique needs. I integrate elements from CBT, DBT, compassion-focused therapy, and other modalities to create a flexible, personalized approach that evolves with the client. This adaptability has allowed me to meet clients where they are, blending structure with creativity to support meaningful, lasting change.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling has become a deeply rewarding part of my practice. I work with couples to improve communication, rebuild trust, and navigate conflict with greater empathy and understanding. Drawing from evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method, I tailor sessions to each couple’s dynamics, helping them strengthen connection and develop healthier relationship patterns. Over the years, I’ve seen how even small shifts can lead to profound changes in how partners relate to one another.