Amanda Essinger, IMFT-S, LPCC, RPT™
AAMFT-Approved Supervisor
ANFT-Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Are you looking to strengthen the relationships in your life or feel connected to others? Is it difficult for you to express yourself authentically because miscommunication gets in the way? I can help identify and decrease barriers to these core human needs. With an experiential, attachment-based, and playful approach, both parents and children can benefit by experiencing themselves and each other in new, fun, and genuine ways. I look forward to facilitating and guiding this experience.
As a neurodivergent clinician, my practice is neurodiversity affirming. Appropriate considerations, interventions, and treatment goals for clients with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, and other neurodivergence are done through a neurodivergence-affirming lens.
My approaches and influences include Play Therapy attachment-based, interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, emotion focused therapy, and experiential family therapy.
Specialty areas:
· Play Therapy
· EMDR-trained
· Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy
· Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy
· Incorporation of Yoga-based techniques and interventions (YT 200 credential in progress)
I offer supervision and consultation for MFTs in Ohio working toward independent licensure as well as consultation for other mental health clinicians in the areas of Systemic Therapy practices.
For information on guided forest therapy with me, please click here: https://www.forestbathingfinder.com/guide-profile/amandae/
Animal Assisted Play/Psychotherapy
Animal Assisted Psychotherapy is an approach to mental health care that incorporates animals into the psychotherapy process, emphasizing the bond created during human-animal interactions. Emotional recovery and positive psychological transformation often occur when the relationship between an individual and the therapy animal grows.
About Valentine:
Valentine is a 9-year-old terrier mix who was adopted around 1 year old. She had reportedly been living as a stray prior to being rescued. She is a sweet and loving girl who greatly enjoys affection and attention. Though her previous trauma has made her more defensive of her space with other dogs, she has grown her sense of security thanks to her own persistence and the encouragement of the many humans who love her. Valentine’s favorite activities include working with clients to accomplish a task or learn something new. She is also often content to sit next to clients and enjoy their company. Sometimes Valentine can get carried away with her enthusiasm to work with her people and have their attention. This can be shown through behaviors like barking, pawing, and licking. If you would like to work with Valentine, but have concerns regarding these behaviors, please discuss with Amanda prior to meeting Valentine to find the best solution for you and Valentine.