About Amanda
Amanda has held her licenses as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist for the past 10 years. Her interest in marriage and family therapy is rooted in the way she values seeing people as part of the family group. As she says, “Seeing people in a system, that’s where you can really start to make changes.”
She specializes in working with mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, disruptive behaviors, trauma and attachment issues, and life transitions.
Her ideal clients are young adults and children, ranging from pre-school aged through teenage years.
Her emphasis in “meeting the client where they’re at” shines a light on the distinction in working with young children, and working with young adults. “When I work with preschool and school-aged children, there’s more of a focus on the family system and parent involvement is an important part of the process. When I work with late teens and young adults, the focus is more on individual support and encouragement.”
Amanda is laid back and easy-going with her clients, describing her counseling styles as “Person-centered: being nonjudgmental, empathetic and providing comfort and safety, and making sure that I’m providing strategies and skill-building to children and families.”
“When clients come in, I’m interested in learning what they’re looking for. Are you looking for tools, support, or just a place to have a conversation and talk? This your time! I respect and value that. I care about things that are high-priority for you.”
Amanda is trained in PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy), an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems. She notes that it is especially helpful for children that experience disruptive behaviors, mood disorders, and trauma and attachment issues. “This therapy is for the parents and the child. It increases connection and bonding between them and provides consistent and predictable structure for the family.”
When asked what Amanda loves the most about counseling, she shared, “It’s seeing change and progress, and hearing about how someone was able to apply this in between sessions. I love when ‘How to do’ becomes ‘Doing.”
For fun, Amanda is “Big on movement and the outdoors (running, walking yoga, lifting, volleyball), being active, camping, hiking, national parks, and adventure.” “One of my favorite feelings is seeing something for the first time.” She also loves seeing live music and shows.
​
*Amanda is licensed by the Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Her license can be verified on this website: https://elicense.ohio.gov