GET TO KNOW your therapist

Amanda Ekman, LCSW

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Henry David Thoreau

Insurances I Accept:

BCBS PPO
BCBS HMO Northshore
Humana
Optum/United Healthcare
Cigna

Ages I work with:

Languages I speak:

English

Who Am I?

Hi! I’m Amanda (she, her, hers). I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with teens, young adults, and adults. I am a cis het white Latina with German and Peruvian heritage. I work well supporting those with trauma backgrounds, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and challenging behaviors, such as self-harm or substance abuse. My goal is to empower you to see your strengths and make any positive changes you’re looking to explore.

I love working with:

Teens and adults with anxiety, depression, and looking to heal from trauma
Individuals with chronic and severe depressive symptoms, passive suicidal thoughts, and self-harm
Young adults struggling with developing identity, future goals, and managing conflict in relationships
Adults navigating life stressors like job stress, family obligations, and just the day-to-day
Anyone who is looking to improve their self-esteem and implement boundaries!

Some of my favorite approaches include:

ACT, CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing

HOW I HELP

I consider myself both a healer and a facilitator for change. As a facilitator in your therapeutic process, I am here to help you, hear you, and reflect back to you, but the effort for change relies on you. I believe in providing a warm, supportive environment, but I also believe in holding you accountable to your goals! If you are ready to reflect on your past, process your present, and make positive steps for your future, I am here for you!

I believe in identifying and building upon your strengths to develop positive coping and communication skills to use in your day to day life. I enjoy exploring how our childhoods and past experiences shape us, but do not define us. I believe by understanding where we came from, we can make conscious decisions on where we want to go. I believe that you deserve love and encouragement on your journey to healing, and I would love to accompany you on that journey.

Beliefs section:

Try answering these questions to get a better understanding of your own belief system as a therapist.

I believe in
I believe that you..
I believe therapy works best when…
I believe change is possible…

What it’s like in a session with me

Sessions with me are geared towards your needs. I provide a space that is safe, free from judgment, and the priority is always you. I aim to ensure you are comfortable and have trust in our dynamic. I am comforting and a good listener, and I ask questions to assist you in reflecting on your feelings and goals. If you’re looking to be held accountable, I am great at checking in on your goals and helping you find motivation to follow through. I can gently challenge you at times when I feel you may need a new, fresh perspective. In session with me, sometimes there’s laughter, tears, anger, or anxiety. We identify what you’re feeling and what you need in the moment. When you leave our session, it is my goal for you to feel at peace and prepared to tackle whatever comes your way before we meet again. I want you to feel free to be yourself in session and ask for what you need.

More about me

In my free time, I love to explore and travel the world. I love trying new things, and I’m open to new experiences. I’m always planning my next big trip! I enjoy connecting with friends and family as much as I can. And if I’m not out exploring or spending time with loved ones, you can find me either cooking, baking, or binging Netflix on my couch.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.