Hello! You have taken the first big step to taking care of yourself and seeking help. I believe this accomplishment should not go unnoticed and appreciate you taking the time to learn about me.
When working together, I believe you are the expert of your experiences. By taking this client-centered approach, I will provide you with a non-judgmental, positive, and safe space to allow us to work together to overcome whatever struggle you are facing. One of my favorite sayings is that “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain” by Vivian Greene. Throughout each person's life, there will be storms. During your storm you may feel the need to discover new ways to not only weather them, but embrace them as part of your growth process. I welcome the opportunity to walk beside you through your journey and appreciate all paths I've been privileged to accompany people on.
Professionally, I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker for Ohio with over 5 years of experience in private practice and 16 years of work in the social work field. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree from Wright State University and began my career working with children and families in the foster care system. It was through this experience that I saw first-hand the impact of trauma on individuals and their families. I became a Certified Trauma Practitioner and utilize this trauma informed and resilient focused approach with most of my clients, as it is applicable. I completed my Master’s of Social Work Degree with the University of New England while continuing to work full time. It was after I earned my MSW that I began to work in private practice, under supervision, to become independently licensed. This provided me the opportunity to expand the populations I have worked with and learn a great deal from my clients and supervisors. I have also worked in the school system with children grades K-12 and their families. My most recent accomplishment was developing and implementing an intensive partial hospitalization program in a school setting from grades K-4, during the pandemic.
Personally, I am a military spouse that recently has relocated to Florida with my wife and teenage son. I also have an adult daughter that did not make the move with us. I am in the process of obtaining my Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker License and look forward to helping those in both my home state of Ohio and new state of Florida.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, ADHD, Adoption and foster care, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Control issues, Domestic violence, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Gender dysphoria, Isolation / loneliness, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Post-traumatic stress, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
OH LISW I.2002357
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Amanda Hickey. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Amanda is great.
Written on Sep 18, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Amanda is very good at listening and making me feel like she genuinely cares for the betterment of my mental health.
Written on Jul 24, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and adhd
Amanda has been my favorite therapist that have had the pleasure of working with thus far. She has helped me navigate my healing journey and has really done all that she could to get me on the right track.
Written on Jul 12, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and adhd
Talking with Amanda has been such a huge help to me. I’ve never talked with a therapist before so I was very nervous when I started. Amanda helped keep the atmosphere calm, approachable, and open so I felt comfortable.
I strongly value her insights, and her strategies have helped me start to handle my anxiety and trauma.
Written on Jul 03, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
She always actively listens and gives me an actionable exercise to do each time that correlates with the emotions I am trying to work through. She is present and compassionate each and every time. I like the "homework" because it keeps me active in my own care, emboldens me to take charge of my heart and its journey in finding my new path to a healthier state of mind and being.
Written on Mar 31, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 3 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and anger management
Amanda is and has been wonderful to talk to, and has already helped me a lot with managing my anxiety. She helps me see other ways of processing my stress and helps rework my thought process into one that is less harmful to me and my mental health. She's also very open to talking about LGBTQ+ issues and can empathize with my struggles in that department.
Written on Feb 15, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, compassion fatigue, and adhd