Amy’s Philosophy
In my opinion, therapy should be collaborative and client-led, and it absolutely does not have to be focused on past traumatic stories. Profound healing can happen by exploring how we are currently relating to symptoms and narratives. I love to incorporate mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and humor into my practice.
What Makes Me Different - My Approach To Helping
Hi. My name is Amy. Thank you for your curiosity in learning more about me. I am an associate marriage and family therapist who offers individual, couples, and family therapy. I am passionate about creating a safe space for clients to creatively and compassionately gain greater self-awareness and try on new ways of relating to themselves and others.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University. I am in the process of acquiring the 3,000 hours required post graduation in order to become fully licensed therapist. I have worked with people struggling with severe and chronic mental illness and have witnessed the pain that comes with wanting change and not knowing how to make it happen. I am also a level two reiki practitioner, dedicated yogi, and long-time hospice volunteer. These experiences continue to strengthen my belief in the power of becoming a witness to our own emotions, cognitions, physiological processes, and patterns.
I am currently in an advanced post-degree training to become a certified NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) therapist. Through NARM we explore what might be preventing people from being present to themselves and others, and thus living a full and meaningful life.
In my free time, I recharge by painting large abstract figures, watching the sunset, hanging out at coffee shops, and cooking new recipes with my partner.
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
- Peter A. Levine
It is not just all in your head
True healing isn’t just about what you can think your way through. Some progress is made through insight alone, but most is made through understanding what drives us to do the things we do and experimenting with ways to have more influence over that process. We all have needs that need to get met no-matter what. If we don’t recognize these needs and meet them proactively, our behavior will come out kind of sideways to get that need met. This is how we end up doing things that are against our values (like lying to someone out of fear of hurting their feelings, taking something that isn’t ours because the rush of the risk was exciting, having an affair even though we have no desire to leave our spouse etc). Connecting the mind, body and spirit is crucial to taking control back of your life and well-being.