Psychotherapy · Clinical Depth · Evidence-Based Care · Focused on the Inner Work
Psychotherapist · Licensed Clinical Social Worker
A place to find your footing again.
Individual and couples therapy for anyone navigating transitions, identity, relationships, and the quiet weight of anxiety. Real sessions with a real human — currently available via secure telehealth for clients in Virginia, with New York, New Jersey, California, and Washington coming soon.
Relational therapy is one thing AI simply cannot do.
Yes, you can talk to a chatbot at 3am. It will be patient, articulate, and never judge you for crying about a situationship. But it won't notice the slight hesitation before you say "I'm fine." It won't sit with you in genuine silence. It won't have navigated its own complicated moments and come out the other side with something real to offer. Therapy works because of the relationship — and relationships require another actual human being. That's still me.
Genuine attunementEmbodied empathyClinical judgment built from real experienceA person who has actually felt something
"I don't have a script for this. Neither do you. That's actually the point."
About Amanda
Fifteen years of showing up — for real.
I'm Amanda — a psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years in clinical practice, including nearly a decade working directly within university counseling and psychological services. My work is grounded in established modalities — CBT, psychodynamic therapy, trauma-informed care — and shaped by extensive clinical hours dedicated to direct psychotherapeutic treatment with individuals and couples.
My approach is warm without being saccharine, direct without being cold, and occasionally — when the moment calls for it — a little bit funny. Because honestly, sometimes the most healing thing is to laugh at the absurdity of being a person.
I also spent nearly a decade as a senior copywriter before entering clinical practice, which means I have an abiding appreciation for the stories we tell ourselves — and the power of finding better ones.
MSW · Fordham University
Graduate School of Social Science · Master of Social Work
Secure video sessions — wherever you are in licensed states
Areas of Focus
What we might work on together
I work best with individuals and couples who are generally stable but feeling stuck, uncertain, or quietly ready for something to shift. No crisis required — in fact, preferred.
Life Transitions
Career shifts, new cities, relationships beginning or ending, midlife recalibration — navigating what comes next when the map runs out and everyone else seems to have it figured out (they don't).
Anxiety & Stress Management
Recognizing patterns, building regulation skills, and learning to quiet the noise so you can actually hear yourself think — without becoming a person who does breathwork at every inconvenience.
Relationships & Couples
Communication, conflict, intimacy, and building partnerships that feel genuinely secure — not just stable in the way a ceasefire is stable.
Identity & Self-Discovery
Who you are when you're not performing for everyone else. Values, purpose, and what a life that actually fits looks like — even if you have to build it from scratch.
Specialized Focus
Perimenopause & midlife transitions
Perimenopause is one of the most significant — and most underestimated — transitions a woman will go through. The hormonal shifts are real, but so is the psychological earthquake underneath: identity, mood, body image, desire, and the quiet grief of a chapter closing without anyone naming it. Most women are sent to their OB/GYN. Very few are offered therapy by someone who understands the full picture. This is that space.
For Women
Mood swings that feel like they belong to a stranger. Anxiety arriving out of nowhere. A sense that you're losing yourself — or finally, unexpectedly, finding her. We'll work through all of it with honesty and without condescension.
For Couples
Intimacy shifts. Communication breakdowns. A partner who feels shut out and doesn't know why. Perimenopause reshapes relationships in ways that go undiagnosed for years. Naming it is the first step to navigating it together.
For Families
The ripple effects of this transition touch everyone in the household — often without anyone realizing what's at the center of it. Understanding the context changes everything.
Not sure if this is what you're experiencing? That uncertainty is part of it — and exactly the right place to start.
My Approach
Thoughtful, evidence-informed, and genuinely collaborative.
Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. I draw from a range of evidence-based frameworks — CBT, psychodynamic theory, motivational interviewing — and adapt to what actually works for you. Which I'll freely admit I don't always know at the start. That's why we figure it out together.
I believe that lasting change happens in the context of a strong therapeutic relationship. My job is to be a reliable, honest presence — not to hand you a script, but to help you develop your own clarity. I'll also gently push back when something doesn't add up. Kindly. But clearly.
01
Relational at the Core
The therapeutic relationship is the foundation. Trust and genuine connection make the work possible — and occasionally, kind of fun.
02
Strengths-Based
We start from what you already have — your resilience, insight, and capability — and build from there. Not from deficits.
03
Culturally Responsive
Your context matters. Identity, background, and lived experience are always part of the conversation, never a footnote.
04
Practically Oriented
Insight without action only goes so far. We work toward real, tangible shifts — not just a more articulate understanding of why things feel hard.
Getting Started
Three simple steps to begin.
1
Free Consultation
A 20-minute call to see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment — just a real conversation with a real person.
2
First Session
We explore what's brought you here, what you're hoping for, and start building a plan together. The hard part is showing up — you've already done that.
3
Ongoing Work
Regular weekly or biweekly sessions via secure video — currently for clients in Virginia, with New York, New Jersey, California, and Washington coming soon. Schedule via Calendly at your own pace.
Practical Details
What to expect.
Telehealth sessions via secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform
Self-pay practice — straightforward, no insurance maze
Superbills available for potential out-of-network reimbursement
Scheduling via Calendly — available times shown in your local timezone
Limited sliding scale availability — ask during your consultation
Virginia LCSW · ActiveNew York · ReactivatingNew Jersey · ReactivatingCalifornia · In progressWashington · In progress
Common Questions
Do you take insurance?
I'm a self-pay practice. Sessions are paid out of pocket. I can provide a superbill monthly that you submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement — many PPO plans offer this. It's a bit of paperwork. Worth it.
Which states can you see clients in?
I'm currently licensed and accepting clients in Virginia. New York and New Jersey are being reactivated shortly, and California and Washington are expected within a couple of months. If you're in one of those states, reach out and I'll let you know as soon as I can work with you.
Who is a good fit for therapy with you?
Adults (18+) who are generally stable and ready to do reflective, growth-oriented work. I'm not the right fit for acute crisis or severe trauma requiring intensive support — and I'll tell you honestly if that's the case and help you find what you need.
Why not just use an AI chatbot for support?
Fair question — and I won't pretend AI tools aren't impressive. But they can't notice what you're not saying. They can't feel the weight of a pause. They can't bring genuine human experience to the conversation or hold real therapeutic accountability. Relational therapy works because of the relationship. That still requires a person.
How long does therapy typically last?
It varies. Some clients find meaningful resolution in a focused 3–6 month engagement. Others prefer longer-term ongoing work. We discuss this openly from the start and revisit it together as we go — no lock-in, no surprises.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free 20-minute consultation. No pressure, no forms, no algorithm — just a real conversation to see if working together feels right.
