About Amy
LMFT #97559, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Hi, I'm so glad you're here! It isn't easy taking the first step towards positive change, especially during what can only be described as an extremely difficult season of life, but you did it. I would be honored to be your therapist, to walk alongside you as you work to overcome whatever challenges you're currently facing. More than ever we need healthy and loving, strong emotional connection in our relationships, positive self-care strategies and coping skills so we can better learn to manage whatever life throws our way. I can help you with these things, as well as help you make sense, find purpose, meaning, hope and healing even though it feels dark. You're not alone!
My Therapy Philosophy
The way it should be.
I believe human beings are capable of INCREDIBLE change! If you desire change and are willing to work for it then it is absolutely possible, especially with my help. I believe a little encouragement goes a long way, but being that I am also very direct and take an interactive approach to therapy with my clients, I will provide you with more than a listening ear and the ever cliché "uh huh". I will give you useful feedback regarding what seems to be keeping you "stuck" and preventing you from growing and becoming more of the person you want to be. That is what I find helpful and what I value in my own therapist, so that's what I offer my clients. I have been called a "hope-aholic" by my former supervisor and I take that as a compliment! It's true. I am! I can't help it. Without hope, I don't think we have much. I commit to remain hopeful for you in the midst of your challenging life circumstances, even if you don't currently feel that way. I will carry hope for you until you can carry it for yourself. I believe in honesty. As they say, honesty is the best policy. To paraphrase one of my favorite theorists, Virginia Satir, "we're only as sick as the secrets we keep". In my experience and expertise, it is when we aren't being honest with ourselves and others, that prevents us from becoming more of our authentic selves and as a result, prevents us from having genuine connection. I desire to help you become more of who you truly are by tapping into your potential (i.e. your strengths, talents and gifts) thus helping you cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God, yourself and others. I strongly believe in the power of the relationship that you and I form with one another. Studies indicate the relationship you form with your therapist is the most important predictor of progress made in counseling. THE MOST IMPORTANT PREDICTOR. More than ANYTHING else. In addition to that, according to statistics (can you tell I like to read studies and find value in statistics?!) the quality of our mental health and level of happiness can be summed up by the quality of our relationships with others. Yep, relationships are important so I make the relationship I form with you of the utmost importance also. It is so significant in fact, that I pledge to check in with you on a regular basis to see how our relationship is going.
You can count on it!
Professionally
I have been providing therapy to clients since 2013 in Roseville, CA. I love helping people in this way and fully believe I have been called to this profession. My hope is that every person I meet, experiences my passion for Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as my love for people. I have been enamored with the field of Psychology since 2002 when I began my studies at California State University, Sacramento. It was there that I received my bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2004. From there, after taking some time away from school, I decided to return and pursue higher education. What better way to combine my love of Psychology and my desire to help people than by studying Marriage and Family Therapy?! I chose to attend Western Seminary, Sacramento in 2011 and graduated with high honors in 2014 receiving a master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy. My education at Western Seminary has equipped me to offer Christian counseling should you desire to incorporate faith into the therapeutic process. if that is not your expressed desire, not to worry! Please know that I will NEVER force my own belief system on you and will always respect and honor what it is you believe. After working at an AWESOME non-profit agency, The Place Within, in Roseville for over three years while meeting face-to-face with clients, I completed a total of 3,000+ hours of required experience in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Additionally, I passed two (very challenging!) California state licensing exams. I am thrilled that I can finally say that as of December 2016, I am officially a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). Just one month later, I launched my private practice (January 2017) and I'm loving it! As I reflect back on recent months knowing all that I have accomplished, I'm excited for what the future holds!