My name is Amy and I have been working with people in many counseling settings over the last 24 years since I started pursuing social work, as a community mental health clinic therapist, elementary school counselor, wilderness therapist, mindfulness and yoga teacher, private practice therapist, provider at a camp for kids with heart conditions. I love the role of being a trustable adult who listens well and helps young people get to know themselves so that they can solve the troubles they face and so that they grow wiser, calmer, stronger, and more joyful. There is so much difficulty that young people must navigate these days and I’ve seen how much it can help to have someone like me, to help them learn practices to deal with stress and whatever else makes life challenging. In the safe setting of online counseling, I like to share tools for making important changes toward wellness: being able to recognize one’s own thoughts, making safe choices of people and situations, tuning into one’s body, using the breath to calm and fortify, and so much more is possible to teach and learn! I always listen and speak with an understanding of theories of attachment, polyvagal, somatic, trauma-care and an awareness of the power of human connection and nature, all things we need to be well and thriving. I always put the client and their family first and am an open communicator, so my clients usually start to feel trust enough to talk about things that are especially hard. Because I have worked with many of people in my 24 years of experience, not much surprises me– I’ve pursued a certificate in addictions counseling because so many of us have lives touched by addiction, and there is so much young people can learn about how to be well without relying on some way to numb out or escape their real life as well as how to manage relationships with loved ones who have active addictions. I look forward to exploring many of life’s wrinkles with my clients and encouraging them to explore the good parts of their lives. One of my life’s good parts is that I live on a farm in Oregon and I spend lots of time in my garden, with animals and walking in the woods–those are my “happy places” and what keeps me well. My husband and I have two adolescent children and I learn so much from them and from the other young people in my community. I am looking forward to learning more about you, too… I'd like to share a quote from one of my clients: "I have been seeing Amy to help with anxiety and depression. I also have ADHD and she helps me manage that by keeping me on task working with my prescriber.. Currently, I look forward to every appointment because I know once the session is over, some of my stress will have slipped away. That was not the case when I first saw Amy. I remember sitting in her office scowling wondering why this lady was asking me all of these questions that I did not want to talk about. I did not understand the value in being vulnerable. But somehow she coaxed me into opening up little bits each time. Amy’s aura is very welcoming; once you get to know her, you can feel the kindness and motivation that surrounds her in order to help her clients. She is always very personable and you can tell that she has a very warm heart. As I continued to see her, all of a sudden I was making these personal discoveries that helped my mental health. With Amy’s guidance, I have regained control of my life. She has taught me how to combat my own thoughts with mindfulness, to show compassion to myself and to understand my own emotions. These are all skills that in my opinion, everyone could benefit from–skills that you didn’t know you were missing until you have them! Amy is very dedicated to her clients. Every session, she is giving me something new to try–she has recommended podcasts, books and apps and exercises to do that I’ve found helpful. If you are willing to put in your own time to heal your mind, I would highly recommend seeing Amy if you want to experience that self-growth."