Approach to Therapy:

I believe in the healing power of a therapeutic relationship that is collaborative, based on trust, and unconditionally supportive. Creating a safe space to build an alliance is my priority, this means no judgement or pathologizing. Each person has a rich story to be explored and understood; a lived experience that shapes the way they perceive their world. It’s critical for me that everyone feels seen and heard in this space. We all need supportive relationships in our lives to simply survive, and I’m passionate about how safe relationships can transform surviving into truly thriving.   

I draw from a wide range of modalities including Narrative, Internal Family Systems, and Existential models, all of which are grounded in a Person-centered approach. I strive to help make meaning of each individual's lived experience, from early development and adolescence to the systems and cultural norms that continue to shape us, this rich tapestry can be key to unlocking meaningful change in the present moment.  

Clinical Interests:

I’m fascinated by the nuance in human connections so vital to all of us across our lives. I believe attachment science and interpersonal neurobiology can help us either fine-tune or completely reshape the way we relate to the world and others. As a long-time client in talk therapy, I’ve worked hard to understand how secure attachment can be so challenging. I believe our reflexive emotional responses can work better for us and our personal goals. With compassion and understanding we can gently coax these protective responses towards safety and security.   

I’m interested in supporting adults, children, and couples; anyone that wants to find relief from the uncertainty and anxiety that we all experience as we move through the world. Therapy as a career change allows me to draw from an eclectic background of working experiences. From the trades to sales to creative pursuits. I’m here to support workers struggling within a society that is steadily making life harder.

I’m passionate about supporting individuals who are neurodivergent. I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and sex positive. Additional areas I’m passionate about include depression, anxiety, addiction/substance-use disorder, religious trauma, life transitions/career change, and the existential crises’ that can arise observing society become increasingly hostile and volatile.

Education and Training:

I received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus in Sociology from the University of Illinois Chicago. I am completing my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Northeastern Illinois University. I am a member of the American Counseling Association.

My work at Amanda Atkins Counseling Group is supervised by Milea Lind, LCPC.