Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. I have 20 years of experience as a social worker. I began my professional journey by completing my bachelor's and master's degree in social work. I have worked with people of all ages in various settings including medical, child protection, developmental disability group setting, hospice and community mental health. I feel that the most important relationships we have here on earth, are the relationships with have with ourselves. Often, we find that our minds are critical and negative when looking inward. We judge ourselves with a more critical lens then we do anyone else. This is especially true for those who have experienced trauma in life, whether it be in childhood or adulthood. Depression and anxiety also shape our thoughts about ourselves and lead us to form some unhealthy core beliefs. When we have tumultuous relationships within ourselves, it can be difficult to have healthy satisfying relationships with others. It can affect each and every part of life. I have had the privilege of partnering with my clients to begin on a path focused on learning how to love yourself with all of your strengths, unique abilities (as well as your flaws). Self -love is a powerful gift! We all deserve it however few take the time to learn skills to develop self-love. I use skills from Cognitive Behavior Health (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative Therapy and Dialectal Behavioral Health (DBT) to provide warm, nurturing, person centered therapy where growth and change can and does happen!
I also have professional and personal experience working with chronic disease, health issues and disabilities. I have also co led / led a cancer support group, diabetes support group, grief support group and pulmonary rehabilitation group. I also have life experience since I have type one diabetes for over 30 years, and I am also a breast cancer survivor! Although we may not have control over what happens to us, the one thing we always control is how we deal with it. Attitude is a powerful way to navigate through this difficult journey we call life. That does not mean that everything is always roses and sunshine, but it does mean learning to see life through a less critical or harsh lens. If you are ready to begin making some changes in your life, please consider allowing me to accompany you on this journey.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Visually Impaired, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
SD CSW 4691
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Amanda Schaeffer. 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 has been the best. I feel completely safe and know she understands how I feel and my main concerns. She’s always willing to listen to me and encourages messaging. I always look forward to my meetings with her and highly recommend her to anyone who needs support.
Written on Aug 11, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Amanda is an amazing therapist! Her smiles help break down walls during sessions. She uses great tools to navigate through different issues.
Written on Jul 28, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue
Amanda is compassionate and a great leader on the road to better mental health. I feel safe in every session to be completely honest, and authentically myself. Amanda is amazing at leading the conversation which eases a lot of my anxiety. Her positive impact goes far beyond the realm of Better help and I find her work has you having "oh I get it now" moments often during my day to day activities, which helps affirm my progress.
Written on Jun 03, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and anger management
Super friendly and easy to talk about anything with. She is very knowledgeable with addictions and how to overcome them. I would highly recommend her!
Written on Apr 20, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 3 weeks
Amanda understands and reads between the lines. Even if I don’t say something, she knows how I feel. I’m a lucky person to have her in my life.
Thank you for all you do Amanda!
Written on Apr 13, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, adhd, and relationship issues
Amanda is great! I had never received these types of services and was very hesitant to get started because I just did not know what to expect. I matched with Amanda based on the areas of focus and during our first session she made me feel really comfortable and gave me the open space I needed.
Written on Apr 11, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 1 week on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes