Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Hello and welcome. I am so glad that you reached out for support. Finding the “right” therapist is important. Below, I have shared some information about myself and my experience to hopefully, help you determine if I am the right therapist to support you.
Since graduating in 2004, from The University of Vermont with my Masters in Social Work (MSW), I have worked in a variety of clinical and therapeutic settings (a community mental health agency, outpatient and private practice, in schools, in a crisis response program, in a short-term residential setting and finally, in a private educational consulting firm). In addition to my clinical license, I have my Vermont Educators License with an endorsement in School Counseling. During my years in the counseling field, I have supervised both clinical social work interns, as well as school counseling interns. Additionally, as part of my ethically-focused, trauma-informed clinical practice, I participate, monthly in an inter-disciplinary (psychologists, nurse practitioners and social workers) group for consultation and supervision. I have been part of this group since graduate school!
My style is collaborative, compassionate and supportive and my clients tell me that I am comfortable to be with, and easy to talk to. I have many years of experience working with children and young adults to help build positive self-concept, reduce stress and worry, increase personal wellness, and develop and work to achieve client personal, academic, relationship, and social-emotional goals. The work I do is grounded in theory – including, Humanistic (“Whole Child’, “Whole Self”), Psycho-dynamic (focused on importance of interpersonal relationship between client and therapist as the model for understanding and self-reflection, and development of positive self-concept) and Behavioral (understanding/reflecting that individuals respond with thoughts, feelings, actions, behaviors to our environments and experience). As an outgrowth of the above approaches, The Strengths Perspective (Dennis Saleebey), is a cornerstone of my clinical practice; I strive to help clients identify internal strengths (ie. grit and resilience), as well as external strengths (ie. education level and family supports). Additionally, I can work with clients on goal-setting, solution-focused work, Narrative Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, with attention to the Wellness Wheel (UMatter, Princeton University) and reflection on the “whole” self. I often include some very popular, and research-based Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga tools. Finally, as part of an overall assessment, I use clinical tools and my ability to engage with clients to assess level of depression and anxiety to screen for any other issues that may reveal themselves in the course of our session(s). The results of the clinical tools help guide work with clients, and of course, I listen closely to the issues clients raise and the goals they focus on, and together we will work to address their needs.
My passion for counseling includes supporting individuals – across the life-span – to shift from discomfort and distress, to acceptance and joy.
When I am not working with clients and students, I like to walk with my dog, play cards with friends and family, and volunteer with Therapy Dogs of Vermont.
I look forward to meeting with you “in person.”
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Amanda Spencer earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Vermont in 2004 and brings 16 years of clinical experience to her practice in Vermont.
She is a licensed clinical social worker in Vermont (VT LICSW 089.0066107) and also holds a Vermont educator’s license with an endorsement in school counseling. Her career has included roles in a community mental health agency, outpatient and private practice, schools, a crisis response program, a short-term residential setting, and a private educational consulting firm.
Throughout her career she has supervised both clinical social work interns and school counseling interns. As part of an ethically focused, trauma-informed approach, she participates monthly in an interdisciplinary consultation and supervision group that includes psychologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers – a group she has been part of since graduate school.
Her approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and supportive, and her clients say she is comfortable to be with and easy to talk to. She has many years of experience working with children and young adults to build positive self-concept, reduce stress and worry, increase personal wellness, and pursue personal, academic, relationship, and social-emotional goals.
Her clinical work is grounded in a mix of theoretical approaches, including humanistic perspectives that emphasize the whole person, psychodynamic work that values the therapeutic relationship for self-reflection and development, and behavioral ideas that link thoughts, feelings, and actions to environment and experience. The Strengths Perspective, influenced by Dennis Saleebey, is a cornerstone of her practice; she helps clients identify internal strengths like resilience as well as external supports such as education and family resources.
Amanda also uses goal-setting, solution-focused techniques, Narrative Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, with attention to wellness frameworks like the UMatter wellness wheel from Princeton University. She frequently incorporates mindfulness, meditation, and yoga tools supported by research. As part of intake and ongoing care she employs clinical measures to assess levels of depression and anxiety – using those results to guide treatment while listening closely to the concerns and goals clients bring to sessions.
Her passion is helping people across the lifespan move from discomfort and distress toward acceptance and joy. When not working with clients and students she enjoys walking with her dog, playing cards with friends and family, and volunteering with Therapy Dogs of Vermont.
She looks forward to meeting with clients in person.
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