Testimonials
"I found Amanda by chance ... I had just spent a year reliving my extensive past trauma over and over in talk therapy. The therapists weren’t providing any ways to deal with all the reactions my body was having.
I wanted to know how I was supposed to cope with it in real life. How was I supposed to be able to make it through this journey to heal - one that I doubted was even possible for me?
My complex trauma started when I was 2 months old, so I have no memory of a life without PTSD symptoms.
I'm 40 years old now and have been in and out of traditional talk and psychotherapy since I was 12.
I ranged from having very little improvement in my quality of life from my best therapy interactions to being re-traumatized in other sessions. In 28 years, therapy just hadn't helped. I'd resigned myself to the fact that this was going to be how I was the rest of my life, even though I desperately wanted to heal.
I'd cycle between feeling a little better and capable to bouts of depression that all the yoga, meditation, exercise, eating healthy, etc, could not keep at bay. Those moments are honestly indescribable - though I'll try.
Feelings of hopelessness - that no matter what I do or how hard I fight that I'll always end up back in that dark place, blaming myself for just not being capable enough to 'be like everyone else,' deeper loneliness than I can ever fully express ... Not actually wanting to die - but to keep living felt unbearable.
It seemed like no matter how much progress I thought I'd made, I always ended up back feeling that way - trapped in an endless cycle.
I've had 14 private sessions with Amanda now and I have taken it quite slow, I'm a little over 9 months into my work with her. In the beginning I honestly didn't trust that it would really work, I thought maybe I'd learn a few more coping skills and count it a success. I don't think I'll ever be happier about being wrong.
Working together, I've been able to recognize what being triggered feels like in my body, how the things I think affect that, and how physical movements can help. I've been able to relieve symptoms during flashback, to calm panic attacks on my own, and release trauma from my body.
I now feel that there is a reality where this doesn't rule my life. Knowing that I now have agency has been life-changing. It's like I was living in a dark forest of perpetual night and the sun is just rising for the first time."
Alex in Portland
"I've been in and out of traditional therapy for over 10 years. Doctors would write me a drug prescription and scoot me out the door. This only made things worse. I felt unheard and invisible. I was having a spiritual crisis, and I knew there was no pill for that. I decided to try a different approach.
Amanda is the only therapist that chose not to label me, not to try and "fix" me, and not fit me into society's boxes. She gave me the tools I needed to heal myself. I highly recommend her to anyone going down the path of inner work and self discovery."
Sierra in Iowa
"I'd struggled with serious digestive challenges for decades. I tried numerous medical protocols including alternative medicine, but nothing changed. When I started working with Amanda, I would have these emotional releases during our sessions, and then my digestion would normalize for several days. It became obvious that my decades long digestive issues were directly linked to my emotional avoidance and repression.
I had known that I was battling with anger and frustration towards my husband, but I didn't realize the deeper, older emotions I'd been living with for years.
Amanda taught me how to recognize and deal with the emotions I'd stuffed down inside of me. This translated to a break through with my chronic health challenge - even after nothing else had worked.
My digestion dramatically improved, and I'm now experiencing more balance than I ever have. Amanda has been comfortable to work with even during the difficult times I had to go through to get to this better place. I highly recommend her for people who want to improve their health, relationships, or themselves."
Miriam in Oregon
"I began working with Amanda after being laid off from my job in the tech industry. I had been living with the constant pressure of perfectionism and adversarial work environments along with the added stress of autoimmunity.
Throughout my life I also struggled to 'break-up with people' - keeping me in relationships that didn't nourish me - both professionally and personally. I was ready for big change. I no longer wanted to trade my quality of life for professional achievement.
I began a 12-month program with Amanda. Immediately, I noticed some of my oldest patterns of imbalance unwind and healthier patterns emerge. Small, consistent strides resulted in significant shifts in my life. (My 8-year-old daughter even enjoyed doing some of the embodiment practices with me!)
I learned how to use my body as a guide for decision making. I began saying NO … no to client relationships that didn’t fulfill me. No to business demands that didn’t respect my needs and boundaries.
Then, I started receiving all these new job offers. To make my decision, I applied everything Amanda had taught me.
Instead of freezing in fear about “missing out on a great opportunity,” I felt into what might bring me the most JOY. I felt into my body to see how much room there was for ME in these opportunities.
I accepted a permanent position with a new company that aligns with my higher visions for my professional life and personal well-being.
It's strange and sad to realize that I hadn’t felt the FEELING of joy in my body in years. I’m just grateful to be able to feel it again, and it's in no small way because of my work with Amanda.”
Laura in Utah
"Amanda is so passionate and talented when it comes to trauma healing. I saw her when I was feeling stuck and powerless over a physical trauma response I was having. I left our sessions feeling more agency in my body. She thrives on providing that for others. I highly recommend working with her."
Shannon in Chicago
"I was quite nervous as I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but from the moment I walked in the door, Amanda's demeanor and calming presence put me at ease. She would constantly remind me that where I am in the present moment is okay. I gained so much from being open to learning and sharing without fear of judgment. Amanda has a passion for helping others that is apparent to anyone who meets her even once. It is more than just a job for her, it is her passion. She truly cares about people."
Vanessa in Colorado
"My first learning experience with Amanda happened the day after I received a complex-PTSD diagnosis. She shared a similar story to mine and gave me hope that I can heal from the trauma I've experienced. Since then, I've had profound healing experiences in her classes and workshops. Every step of the way she has gone above and beyond any expectations I could have. She genuinely cares about her clients and students and it shows in her devotion to helping others along this challenging journey."
Kristin in Portland
"I've experienced some truly life-changing healing by working with Amanda. Previously, I had felt terrified and stuck when it came to speaking up about my needs and feelings. This caused misunderstanding and frustration in my relationships. Working with Amanda has enabled me to advocate for myself. Now, I step into conversations with an ability to own my value. This has reoriented my life. Instead of being terrified, I am able to stay grounded even when other people around me are triggered. I feel more love for myself, and my relationships are more fulfilling."
Tracy in Idaho
"I had gone to traditional therapy for 20 years. Without fail, I would have these overwhelming freeze responses when talking about the traumatic events of my past, causing me to get stuck in a non-verbal state. I felt frustrated, discouraged, and hopeless.
The work I've done with Amanda is deeper than anything I've done before. Her scientific, body-centered approach and the safe, nurturing space that is created when we work together allows me to be at ease. My words come freely, and I've learned how to honor my needs. I feel the transformation. I'm now experiencing myself in a totally different way. It feels like a new discovery, like i just got a gift, a door unlocked. Very exhilarating!!"
Devyn in Boston
"The power of Amanda's support continues to ripple in my life. I would have never been able to move beyond the familiar constructs that I'd grown so attached to, including a job and long-term relationship that simply weren't allowing me to expand...
I've since made some drastic shifts. My mental habits have changed. I moved to a new city and have a new career that is far healthier for me. For once, I'm thinking about myself and not being distracted by giving all of my energy away to draining relationships. An important transition has happened, and I would not have this level of understanding and connection in my life if it wasn't for Amanda's impact."
Chris in New York
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"I lived most of my life in my head and was disconnected from my body. My life looked great on paper, but I suffered from depression and years of severe insomnia. I felt a constant anxiety that kept me asking if there was more to life.
With Amanda, a whole new world opened up for me. I was finally able to work through the subconscious patterns that were holding me back. It was such a liberating process that completely changed my life path."​​
