I’m Amy Holder and I’m a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in Madison, WI. When I took my first psychology course in high school, I had no idea it would put me on a path to becoming a therapist. I’m a naturally curious person and fascinated by the complexities of being human, which explains why my elective courses were always so varied. I’m also deeply connected to the art of storytelling and interested in the many forms it can take. From books, film, music, art to history and even the stories that science can tell us. My love of storytelling comes from my parents, who are a kind, generous, humorous and contemplative people. I’ll share more about them and our relationship in future posts.
My own experience with depression and anxiety has also informed my work. Traditionally self-disclosure has been frowned upon in the mental health field, but I believe this is changing in the wake of social media. I have found it to be useful in my work to humanize me and connect me to my clients. This may not be for everyone, and that’s ok - I firmlybelieve there is space for many types of therapeutic approaches.
I have an eclectic work history in the mental health field and I’m currently providing online therapy, which is something I never thought possible before 2020. It feels natural and right for me to be in the position of a caring, accepting, and compassionate provider and I’m honored to be apart of a client’s path to grow and evolve. I believe therapy provides possibilities for growth, acceptance and discovery. Creating a safe, therapeutic environment and collaborative relationship can give way to endless opportunities to learn and heal.
I have experience working across the lifespan and currently specialize in working with adults with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. I have experience treating a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, life transitions, mood or emotional problems, trauma, substance abuse, grief and loss. I borrow from various evidence-based approaches including ACT, DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Existential Therapy.
First and foremost, I want my sessions to feel like a conversation and to create a collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to create meaningful change. In my role, I will listen actively and without judgement, validate, empathize and provide education and practical skills as needed.
I have never had a professional or public persona and I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do with this space or platform. It might be a creative outlet, it might be educational. Maybe it will be a place to hold space for storytelling. What I do know is that this space is for everyone. Whether you’re a fellow therapist, someone in therapy, or just curious about mental health and storytelling - welcome! I’m glad you’re here. Let’s see what happens next.
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