Find a Therapist in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the therapist, the client, and the particular problems one is experiencing. There are many different methods that may be used to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for therapy to be successful, you will have to work on things discussed during the session when at home. There are benefits to psychotherapy even though therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life. You may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress.

Psychotherapy is the most effective and lasting way to change the way you feel. Some of the benefits of psychotherapy are: increase in self confidence, feeling lighter and more hopeful, getting to know yourself better and be more accepting of who you are, identify triggers and buttons so that you reach your full potential, and living the life you were intended to live. My approach to psychotherapy is to have a conversation together that will be benefit you in nearly every area of your life. I provide a safe supportive non judgmental environment in order to have an open, honest and meaningful conversation.

I apply Biblical principles with primarily insight oriented psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques to assist clients seeking to obtain deeper growth, change and healing in their lives, whether in their Christian walk, recovery from various addictions, abuse, or other trauma and for those trying to break unhealthy patterns and behaviors in their lives by getting to the root or core issues.

Using the Adlerian approach, I focus on you as a whole, because I believe that people are more than a diagnosis or an issue. We start by reviewing your family and past history to discover any patterns. We focus on your involvement with your community and how to gain a better sense of belonging. Additionally, we will also address how your thoughts reflect your actions in past and current events to approach future situations more confidently.

Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods to help a person change behavior and overcome problems in a positive manner. Its aim is to help people understand the thoughts behind feeling anxious or depressed and addressing these thinking patterns. Psychotherapy will help you change behaviors and habits that are limiting you, to experiencing your fullest potential.

My area of expertise lies in strengthening mental, physical, social & emotional health. I treat anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relationship and life-wellness issues and I help cultivate strong personal, professional & organizational development. I meet people where they are at in life & I work with them to help them achieve time-framed & realistic goals. I employ both traditional talk therapy as well as more hands-on strategies such as experiential and creative arts therapy. I am certified in Mindfulness training which is a psychological concept that is clinically proven to help people reduce stress, increase mental focus and improve overall health, life functioning & well-being.

Not every counselor has the ability, patience or interest in doing psychotherapy which I see as different from counseling as men are from women. I'm an experienced psychotherapist who has helped man clients deal with the internal and family of origin issues which lead to repetitive negative patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. I'm not only a good listener, but engage the client in a process to feel more related with their internal lives so they can make healthier life choices. My clients have reported feeling more content and capable as a result of our work together.

I believe that individuals are resilient and have the capacity to make positive changes in their lives. Psychotherapy, while sounding like a "mysterious" term, is working with an individual to overcome patterns of feelings, thoughts and behaviors which cause you distress, pain or unhappiness. You will find a safe and non-judgmental place to overcome feeling stuck in patterns that stifle your happiness and personal growth. Every person is unique, and I work to understand your individual circumstances, family background, feelings and circumstances. You can experience feeling peaceful, happy and hopeful though our work together.

I have a wide variety of therapeutic approaches that I utilize in my psychotherapy practice because I know that there is no one model that works for everyone. I focus on getting to know you and your individual style and needs so that I can tailor therapy to be the best fit for you. No matter what model of therapy used, you can expect warmth, acceptance, and genuine compassion as the foundation of our work together.

Psychotherapy is one of the best tools for managing your anxiety and depression. Amanda has worked with clients ranging from physicians to police officers to actors, aged 10-70. She values the unique details that make people who they are. Amanda loves helping clients come to a place of self understanding and reflection. Once people are able to better understand their patterns of behavior, they have the power to change and stop going on "auto pilot."

I am trained in a variety of traditional and non-traditional treatment methods that I integrate in a holistic approach to psychotherapy. While grounded in scientifically proven methods such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, I also integrate with treatment methods such as Positive Psychology which emphasizes the development of strengths over targeting weaknesses, and hypnotherapy approaches that incorporate subconscious and body-based processes.

The process of engaging in psychotherapy can be a rich and rewarding experience. With a kind, engaging and inquisitive mind, my approach to therapy is based in humanistic, client-centered and existential philosophies. I truly believe that each person has within them the power to heal through thoughtful exploration of emotional patterns, spiritual concerns and resulting experiences. While focusing on present-moment concerns, the past will arise and show its influence. We will work together to piece out what is necessary to explore but not dive into your entire past. Sometimes this is necessary, sometimes it is not. I encourage each person to work with me in guiding their healing process.

While there are many misconceptions about what psychotherapy is and who can benefit from therapy, essentially therapy is a personal learning process that is focused on meeting your own defined goals for self-improvement. People may seek therapy if issues or problems feel overwhelming or if they begin to interfere with their overall functioning. I am here to assist with facilitating lifestyle changes, provide supportive and objective feedback, assist you in identifying underlying cause of distress, to teach you better ways of coping with stress and difficulty. As a trained therapist I will work with you and assist you in the journey of self-healing, growth, insight, and transformation.