Amanda Etienne, PsyD
I'm Amanda Etienne, a psychologist specializing in anxiety, perfectionism, existential anxiety, and trauma therapy for high-achieving women in their 30s - and yes, I'm a recovering over-functioner myself with strong opinions about pens and a deep loyalty to Grey's Anatomy.
For over 8 years, I've worked with women navigating anxiety, perfectionism, complex trauma, and sexual trauma - the kind of women who have been praised their whole lives for holding it together, and are quietly exhausted by it.
I draw from ACT, IFS, EMDR, somatic therapy, and relational therapy to help clients move beyond understanding their patterns intellectually and actually start to feel and heal them.
If you suspect that beneath all the good behavior and gold stars is someone with real opinions, unmet needs, and feelings she's never quite let herself have - that's exactly who I work with.
I offer virtual sessions for women in Colorado, Washington, and all PSYPACT states. Private pay only.
My Approach to Therapy
Therapy with me isn't just talking about your problems until the hour is up.
Most of my clients are excellent at analyzing themselves. They can tell you exactly why they do what they do - and still feel stuck. That's because understanding something intellectually and actually healing it are two different things. My job is to help you get to the second one.
I draw from ACT, IFS, EMDR, and somatic therapy - which is a fancy way of saying we work with your thoughts, your patterns, your past, and your body. Not just what's happening in your head. High-achieving women are often incredibly skilled at living from the neck up, and part of our work together is learning to trust what the rest of you already knows.
This is also a place where nothing is off the table. Sex, money, power, identity, the thing you've never said out loud to anyone - bring it. I'm not here to manage your comfort. I'm here to help you actually move.
I work best with women who are ready to go beyond insight and do something with it. If that's you, we'll get along well.
My Specialties
Anxiety
Together, we'll explore the roots of your anxiety and create personalized strategies to regain control and calm.
Trauma
Whether your trauma is from one event, from many, or is relational in nature, we will work together toward healing.
Substance Use
Maybe you’re sober-curious, maybe you want to quit all-together. Together, we will help you clarify what you want and help you move toward it.
Education and Training
Learn more about how I got here.
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Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA
Licensed Psychologist (Colorado) PSY.0006408
Licensed Psychologist (Washington) PY.61521778
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology Granted by PSYPACT Commission | APIT # 18557, Issued: 5/9/2024
Attachment Trauma Treatment Specialist - Certificate Awarded 2026
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Parts Work / Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Relational Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
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Somatic Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Prolonged Exposure
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Emotion Efficacy Therapy
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American Psychological Association
Colorado Psychological Association
Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences
Am I the right therapist for you?
We’re likely a good fit if you:
You're a high-achieving woman who feels more comfortable analyzing your feelings than actually having them
You consider yourself a deep thinker - and you're ready to do something with that
You've been told you're "a lot" - or have worked hard your whole life to make sure nobody ever thinks that
You suspect your past has more to do with your present than you've let yourself admit
You have a past relationship you can't quite get out of your head
You're noticing patterns that you can't seem to think your way out of
You're willing to sit with discomfort in order to grow
You enjoy humor and don't want therapy to feel unbearably heavy all the time
You're ready to do more than just cope - you want to actually understand yourself
We may not be a great fit if you:
You're looking for a quick fix or primarily want concrete tools without much interest in exploring what's underneath
You're hoping things will get better if the people around you change first - that's not something I can help with from this end
You're not quite ready to look at the past yet - and that's okay, the timing has to be right
You're experiencing strong suicidal, homicidal, or self-harm thoughts, or are currently in crisis - I want to make sure you get the level of care that's right for you
You experience psychosis or are currently seeing or hearing things others don't — my practice isn't the right fit for that level of support
You're looking for a therapist who takes insurance - I'm private pay only, and I want to be upfront about that
You need in-person sessions - my practice is fully virtual
Ready to get started? Let’s chat.
Interested in working together? Book a free consultation call below and I’ll give you a call at the time you select!
I keep my clients info private (because, well, confidentiality), but here’s what other therapists have to say about me…
Let’s talk about Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
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ACT (said as one word, “act”) is a form of psychotherapy that helps you accept what is out of your personal control and commit to action that enriches your life. It uses mindfulness strategies and practical tools to help you live more in the present and be guided by your values.
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Unlike therapies that focus on controlling or avoiding certain thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches you to embrace your thoughts and feelings as part of the human experience. It’s unique in its commitment to values-based living and mindfulness.
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Each session will vary depending on the client and the particular goals we are working towards on a given day. Sessions can include conversation, experiential exercises, and mindfulness practices.
In a typical session, we'll work together to explore your values, how you handle difficult thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies for moving toward the life you want. A session will usually wrap up with us deciding what your homework will be for the week.
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ACT is versatile and has been applied to a wide range of issues, from anxiety and depression to stress and relationship problems. If you’re looking for a way to live a more mindful and value-driven life, ACT might be a good fit for you. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
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ACT is backed by clinical research showing its effectiveness in treating various psychological issues. It’s recognized as an evidence-based practice for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, among others.
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Some key concepts include cognitive defusion (learning to observe your thoughts rather than get entangled in them), acceptance (opening up to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings), mindfulness (being present in the moment), and values (discovering what truly matters to you).
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While not always labeled as homework, you might be encouraged to engage in certain practices or exercises outside of sessions to deepen your understanding and application of ACT principles in daily life.
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Mindfulness is a big deal in ACT. It's all about helping you stay present and engaged with life as it happens, without getting too caught up in the noise in your head. It's a skill we'll practice together, making it easier to handle whatever life throws your way.