Hi, I’m Amanda
I’m a recovering over-achiever who finds comfort in color-coordinated calendars and has strong opinions about the best pens. My love languages include: someone else making the plans, candles I forget to light, Indian food, and Grey’s Anatomy.
I don’t have it all figured out, and I don’t pretend to. I was the high-achieving kid who learned to be responsible, “together,” and low-maintenance - and through my own therapy, I learned how to stop editing myself and feel comfortable as myself.
I work with women who are thoughtful, driven, and deeply tired of being whatever version of “fine” everyone expects from them. They’ve been praised for their strength, but rarely seen for their softness. They’re learning how to stop being so emotionally self-contained.
If you’re starting to suspect that beneath all the good behavior and gold stars is someone who actually has opinions, needs, and (gasp) boundaries - you’re in the right place.
You don’t have to blow up your life to feel more like yourself. You just have to stop editing the parts that make you human.
My Approach to Therapy
Therapy with me is a place where you can say the things you haven’t said out loud.
My therapy approach is all about helping you move towards a rich, full, and meaningful life while learning how to more confidently handle the ups and downs that come with it.
My goal is to support high-achieving, overthinking women move towards a life that feels grounded, clear, and self-directed. Together, we’ll explore practical tools and strategies to get clear on what behaviors help you move forward and which ones hold you back, so you finally feel confident trusting yourself.
It’s important to me that you feel you can share without a filter or fear of judgment. This should be the case in any therapy experience, but clients often come to me having had negative past therapy experiences. It’s hard to develop trust with a new therapist, and I work to be transparent and forthcoming from our consultation on in order to foster this trust.
As your therapist, I don’t shy away from “taboo” topics. Whether it be power, privilege, identity, sex, money, or drug use, I welcome these topics and encourage you to bring up what is coming up for you.
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.
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)
Licensed Psychologist (Washington)
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology Granted by PSYPACT Commission | APIT # 18557, Issued: 5/9/2024
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Parts Work / Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Relational Therapy
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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:
Are open-minded
Consider yourself to be a deep thinker
Enjoy laughter and humor
Are ready to ready to do self-reflection and make changes
Are willing to sit with discomfort in order to grow
Know you have past experiences you haven’t quite worked through
Have a past relationship you can’t get out of your head
We may not be a great fit if you:
Want others to change before you do
Are wanting a quick fix
Experience strong suicidal, homicidal, or self-harm thoughts
Experience psychosis, or see and hear things that others don’t
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!