My Education and Training

I have more than 9 years of experience working with children, adolescents, teens, and their families in different settings. This includes providing help to people across varied diagnoses and from diverse cultures. I believe in a setting which is anti-racist and recognizes the complexity of ongoing race-based stress and the impact it can have on a person’s well-being. 

As a clinician I have experience with cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, building parenting skills, mindfulness skills, teaching DBT distress tolerance skills, and providing strengths-based care for neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families. I have also worked with clients providing gender and LGBTQ+ affirming care at different stages of their journey.

My special interest of study is seeking research and information from professionals in the field who are focused on learning from and supporting people with the pathological demand avoidance (preferred term “persistent drive for autonomy,” PDA) profile of autism, and more importantly, from PDAers themselves. I make it a priority to meet the expectations for a PDA North America’s provided therapist checklist to ensure my clients who struggle with demand avoidance receive the kind of support they deserve.

As a member of a neurodivergent family, I have had the unique opportunity to be on both the parent and provider side of support. The parent child interaction training I participated in when my children were young was a monumental experience in bringing me to this work, and in allowing me to reach my full potential as a parent. As a parent of neurodivergent children, I also understand how difficult it can be to find providers who are knowledgeable and/or willing to work with neurodivergent clients in typical mental health settings, and on the things that are important to them, rather than on what society dictates. While I am not professionally trained in implementing interventions for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, I have a great understanding of how it impacts individuals and their families, especially through the parenting lens. 

I am also a queer and gender non-conforming woman, and aim to provide a space that is affirming of all genders and sexualities. In all cases, my goal is to provide the kind of knowledgeable, validating care I wish my family and myself could have had available when we needed it most.

My Approach

Initial sessions will focus on getting to know each other, learning about your values and goals, and learning what pace you would like to take in your journey. I like to foster a collaborative relationship that acknowledges the client is the expert on themselves and what works best for them, and tailoring treatment to each individual client’s needs. I love creativity and working hard to find what evidence-based interventions or approaches will fit for each client and hope to invite open communication on what is or isn’t working. I have a very fun, playful, and supportive personality and enjoy when clients share their special interests with me. It’s a joy when I can learn about something new from someone who is excited to share it.

.More About Me

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, snuggling with my pets, crafting (crochet amigurumi, sewing, diamond art, coloring, painting), playing video and board games, watching movies (especially horror), playing soccer, building Lego sets, the performing arts, playing with fidgets, or mastering a new speed cube.

What to Expect in an Initial Consultation With Amanda

I would be happy to go ahead and schedule a brief phone consultation. These typically last about 10-15 minutes and allow us to get to know each other and to see if I am a good fit for your needs. The consultation can be flexible with who attends depending on preferences, for example, I can speak with you, your child, both, or a combination of the two. 

After I introduce myself, I will invite you to answer questions to collect relevant information to ensure that I am a good fit for your counseling needs at this time. I will likely chime in if I hear areas where I think my education, experience, and skills would fit well. I will also allow for any questions you may have about me and/or my approach to counseling.

I look forward to speaking with you soon!