Amanda McFarland, LMSW
she/her
We are in this together.
You are important. Your stories, feelings, and experiences matter. I will support you along your journey to accomplishing your goals. We will go at YOUR own pace. It is important to remember that you are not alone in this, you are in control of our sessions, and it is my job to support you through this process.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a therapist. I wanted to be a positive force in this ever changing and chaotic world. Growing up, I was the person everyone came to with their troubles looking for a listening ear or advice. Making therapy my career seemed natural. I find so much joy in watching other people reach their full potential and find their own idea of happiness. Having gone through my own personal trials and tribulations in life, I honestly feel that this career chose me, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.
Therapy provides you with a non-judgmental, safe person and space to express difficult emotions and life situations and explore and work towards a happier healthier you. In therapy, you get to work with someone whose only motivation is purely to help, and has been educated on mental health disorders and symptoms along with various tools and techniques to develop healthier thinking and behaviors. It allows another person (myself) to witness your suffering and struggles, validate your feelings, and walk with you to find helpful solutions and skills promoting a happier more fulfilling life.
For therapy to be successful, you must feel comfortable with the person you are confiding in. Building a strong reliable therapeutic relationship based off trust, mutual respect and empathy is always my first priority when beginning to work with new clients. I strive to make my sessions as relaxed as possible. I do not use a lot of therapeutic academic jargon and I am my authentic self from beginning to end of our time together. You are the expert of your life, and I am a support person along for the ride, to help guide you while you are on your mental health recovery journey.
In general, I usually gravitate towards variances of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, and motivational techniques, while always using empathetic and unconditional positive regard and strength-based approaches. I will offer empathetic listening, knowledge, therapeutic tools, and a variety of resources I’ve collected throughout my career.
I also recognize how one’s relationships and environment are impacting their mental health. The environment we are both born into and live in throughout our lifetime impacts our emotional development and understanding of the world. Our relationships (healthy and unhealthy) also play a huge role in our mental health and recovery. It’s important to also understand that our biology and what we are putting in our bodies are also at work when focusing on health conditions and symptoms.
Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and I commend you for taking this important step. You can trust that I will be here to support and empower you, working together to create positive change and a brighter future.
You possess the incredible power to make positive change in your life. As your therapist, my role is to help you harness and amplify that power.
EDUCATION
- BSW, Oakland University
- Master of Social Work, Michigan State University
WORKS WITH
- Teens
- Adults
- Couples
- Families
TYPES OF THERAPY
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Strength-Based Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Whether you are new to therapy or have been in and out of therapy, there is always something more you can learn about yourself. Therapy helps you identify negative thoughts and behavioral patterns that have been happening throughout your lifetime, or even in your current daily living. These can prevent you from living your best, most fulfilling life. Sometimes our past experiences and traumas can hold us back from living in the present or planning for the future. Therapy helps you process and heal from these difficult feelings and experiences. It allows you to move forward, feeling more self-aware and empowered to gain control over your own life and future.
Further, therapy is a dynamic and evolving journey, and it’s not limited to addressing specific issues or crises. It’s a space where you can explore the depths of your emotions, values, and aspirations. Even if you’ve made significant progress in the past, therapy continues to offer opportunities for self-improvement and self-discovery. Therapy can be your sanctuary for reflection and personal growth. The journey encourages you to explore your passions and life purpose. By gaining clarity about what truly matters to you, you can set meaningful goals and create a life that aligns with your authentic self.
Ultimately, therapy is a transformative process that can lead to a more fulfilling, present-centered, and purposeful life. It’s an investment in yourself, your well-being, and your capacity to thrive. I would be immensely honored to meet you, to truly listen and understand your unique experiences, to celebrate your identity, to learn about your goals and desires, and to partner with you to achieve greater fulfillment and freedom in all areas of your life.
FAVORITE SELF-CARE
I love traveling and experiencing new places, people, and things. I feel like going someplace outside of my typical environment allows me to recharge my batteries. In the warmer months, you can find me doing anything outdoors like going for walks through the local nature trails, visiting a beach, cider mill, or going camping with my family all over Michigan.
I think it’s important to take some time for yourself every day, despite how busy life can get. I regularly try to practice some sort of small self-care such as reading, painting, taking a nap, going to dinner with family and friends, watching a funny show or movie (that I’ve probably seen a 1,000 times), playing with my family in the backyard, guided meditation, and listening to relaxing music.
FUN FACTS
- I enjoy spending most of my time with my family. My husband and I have a beautiful daughter and a crazy husky named Jackson.
- I’ve been skydiving twice, and the feeling is indescribable!
- I’m obsessed with animals.
- I participated in a short study abroad trip in my undergrad program where I traveled to Geneva, Amsterdam, and Paris.
LIFE MOTTOS
- You are allowed to do what is best for you, even if it upsets people.
- Allow the road ahead of you to speak louder than the one behind you.
