Amanda Whitehurst (she/her)

Depression can feel like a hopeless state lacking in energy or spark, which makes it difficult to break out of alone. Each individual's depression needs it's own specific intervention, and I use a number of strategies to do this, including somatic work, parts work, and other practices to assist in bringing you back to yourself.

I utilize a number of approaches to come alongside folks experiencing anxiety, and each approach is tailored to client needs. Often, I use a number of somatic-focused skills in order to regulate nervous system responses with the individuals I work with. I also often use parts work, inner child work, and other kinds of therapeutic tools.

Trauma impacts us in all kinds of ways. Some folks experiences nightmares, flashbacks, people-pleasing responses, depression, anxiety, fear of others, and more. With trauma, I take care to avoid re-traumatization, or the heightening of symptoms, in the process of healing. Because of this, you call all the shots as we work together to both handle the symptoms you're experiencing right now as well as reprocess the past if this is important to you.

Some folks come to me having never heard of EMDR and curious about how it works. Others have tried EMDR with past therapists who may have gone too quickly or used approaches that didn't quite work for that person, leading to really intense responses. My approach to EMDR is informed by model called SAFE, which differs slightly from a traditional method and produces better results (but I'm not biased! Ha.) If you're interested, we can discuss EMDR in a consultation to see if it's right for you.

Through my use of Somatic Experiencing techniques, I have found somatic therapy to be immensely helpful in navigating depression and anxiety, as well as stress and dissociation. It can also assist in getting further acquainted with our bodies when we have had to stay disconnected from them to stay safe. The main way somatic work might show up in our time together is through various skill-building exercises or techniques intended to help us regulate our nervous system responses.

I use a number of approaches with folks who have experienced trauma in their past. These might include the EMDR and Somatic Experiencing techniques mentioned elsewhere on this page, or it might include parts work, inner child work, meditation, and more. I come alongside individuals who have experienced trauma in a gentle way, and while I might bring expertise or suggestions, I let you call the shots.

Some folks come to me having never heard of EMDR and curious about how it works. Others have tried EMDR with past therapists who may have gone too quickly or used approaches that didn't quite work for that person, leading to really intense responses. My approach to EMDR is informed by model called SAFE, which differs slightly from a traditional method and produces better results (but I'm not biased! Ha.) If you're interested, we can discuss EMDR in a consultation to see if it's right for you.