“I didn’t know I would become a counselor, but decided to pursue a different direction after realizing that a career in teaching wasn’t the best fit for me. Working closely with children and adolescents in residential care provided the inspiration I needed to eventually pursue a career in counseling. While I enjoyed teaching, I truly love being a counselor! I still see myself as an educator, but my “classroom” is much smaller now and the rewards seem even greater.”
As a relationship-based counselor, Amanda relies on the therapeutic powers of play to facilitate communication, boost confidence, promote emotional wellness, teach coping skills, and encourage social connection in a safe, playful and welcoming environment.
Trained in a variety of therapeutic interventions, Amanda believes that for real growth to occur, there must be a trusting relationship between counselor and client. As a counselor, she feels honored to witness the vulnerability and strength her clients display as they learn and grow through the therapeutic process. She prioritizes working alongside her clients to find the best therapeutic approach to fit their goals and needs.
Amanda is a Limited Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in work with children, adolescents and their families at the Pine Rest Northwest Clinic. She received her Bachelor’s in Education from Central Michigan University in 2002 and her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2006. She became a Registered Play Therapist in 2009 and is an active member, and former board member, of the Michigan Association for Play Therapy, as well as a graduate of the Association for Play Therapy’s Leadership Academy. Amanda is also an active participant in the local Postpartum Emotional Support Program, participates in the Michigan Statewide Coalition for Perinatal Mood Disorders, and is featured in Postpartum Support International’s provider directory.
