Amelia Swanson (She/her)

I have experience using CBT and REBT to help clients with anxiety, depression, as well as coping with stress, major life changes and medical challenges. I focus on thoughts and behaviors that currently may not be helpful, even though these thoughts/behaviors started as a way to take care of ourselves. I help patients learn new skills and strategies, try out those skills and work together to find out what works for them.

I often use ACT in coordination with CBT and family systems to help clients focus on their values and what is meaningful to them. For some people, trying to change thoughts may not be helpful; ACT provides a different approach of how to take the power and emotion away from unhelpful thoughts. I also use ACT to help clients be more emotionally present in their relationships and day to day life.

I trained in family systems (structural family systems) in my experience working with children and families and was part of the training program at CHA/Harvard Postdoctoral Fellowship. I use my experience with family system approaches to support clients to change and improve their relationships (with their spouse, family, friends), improve their parenting skills and make changes in other relationships such as with their medical team or colleagues at work.

I have experience using CBT and REBT to help clients with anxiety, depression, as well as coping with stress, major life changes and medical challenges. I focus on thoughts and behaviors that currently may not be helpful, even though these thoughts/behaviors started as a way to take care of ourselves. I help patients learn new skills and strategies, try out those skills and work together to find out what works for them.

I help people with many types of anxiety, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety, specific phobias (fear of flying, fear of medical procedures, etc). Some anxiety is helpful to keep us safe but for many their alert systems react when they don't need to. I help patients understand the process of anxiety, concrete skills to improve anxiety and better function intheir lives. I work with patients at a pace that is comfortable to them.

I am health psychologist and have worked with people with chronic illness or life limiting illnesses like cancer, autoimmune disease, diabetes, injuries, amputations, functional neurological conditions, GI diseases, as well as many others. I also have worked with clients and their families at the end of their life. Coping with physical symptoms and medical systems can be incredibly stressful and therapy can help improve quality of life while living with medical challenges.

I have worked in a fertility clinic for over four years with patients with infertility, pregnancy loss, termination for medical reasons, genetic diagnoses, stillbirth, birth trauma as well as the stress of coping with fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF, and donor gametes or surrogacy. I also support people with LGBT family building. I help people cope with the emotional rollercoaster of the fertility process, navigate family/friendship challenges, and improve communication with their partner.