Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Certification
License
Timeline
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Amanda Palen

Summary

Warm, reflective, and deeply committed mental health therapist with a passion for helping individuals explore the inner world of emotion, meaning, and identity. I bring years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and couples through a psychodynamic lens—integrating somatic awareness, relational insight, and creative therapies, including poetry. Trained in depth psychotherapy and trauma-informed care, I prioritize long-term growth, emotional depth, and authentic connection over symptom-focused work. I strive to create a safe, attuned therapeutic space where clients feel deeply seen and supported, and I'm continually expanding my skills through ongoing training in expressive and insight-oriented approaches.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Psychotherapist

Founder-LMFT Private Practice
05.2023 - Current
  • Provide weekly teletherapy to 10+ adult clients, primarily women, addressing trauma, self-worth, and relational challenges.
  • Integrate psychodynamic, somatic, and psychoanalytic approaches in a supportive, depth-oriented setting.
  • Built and manage a successful private telehealth practice, overseeing branding, outreach, and operations.
  • Maintain HIPAA-compliant systems for scheduling, documentation, and secure virtual care.
  • Offer hybrid services, including poetry therapy and consultation, tailored to client needs.
  • Center equity, accessibility, and long-term growth in all therapeutic work.

Military & Family Life Counselor

Leidos, Inc
04.2023 - Current
  • Provided solution-focused counseling to military service members and families, addressing emotional, relational, and behavioral concerns.
  • Coached installation staff on behavior management strategies, improving confidence and effectiveness in high-stress situations.
  • Facilitated resilience-focused presentations using psychoanalytic and behavioral insights to enhance mental well-being.
  • Designed creative, mind-body-based support materials tailored to client needs.
  • Supported families during relocations using somatic and resilience tools to ease transitions.
  • Participated in trainings and team development activities, contributing insights that fostered collaboration and team growth.

Clinical Team Lead & Intensive Psychotherapist

Windhorse Integrative Mental Health
06.2020 - 12.2022
  • Led care teams to deliver individualized, client-centered support for clients with severe mental health diagnoses.
  • Conducted multiple weekly sessions to build strong therapeutic relationships and support ongoing mental health management.
  • Facilitated healing activities in clients' homes and communities to promote recovery and well-being.
  • Trained and supervised clinicians in behavioral, psychoanalytic, and client-centered methods to strengthen treatment outcomes.
  • Coordinated multidisciplinary teams—including psychiatrists, MDs, and community partners—for holistic client care.

Wraparound Youth Counselor

SELPA (Special Education)
04.2019 - 03.2020
  • Developed individualized treatment plans for youth and families, addressing emotional needs and setting clear goals.
  • Led collaborative teams of professionals, families, and agencies to enhance client well-being.
  • Coordinated services to align with treatment goals, improving outcomes and client satisfaction.
  • Delivered individual and family therapy using evidence-based practices to address mental health challenges.
  • Conducted risk assessments and facilitated hospitalizations to ensure client safety.
  • Educated team members on mental health diagnoses to improve care coordination and service delivery.
  • Managed a clinical caseload with oversight responsibilities, ensuring quality care and effective interventions.

Mental Health Counselor

Counseling West
09.2018 - 04.2019
  • Provided individual counseling to 10+ clients weekly, supporting coping skills development and mental health improvement.
  • Facilitated group therapy focused on anxiety and depression, fostering peer connection and support.
  • Created and implemented personalized treatment plans tailored to each client's needs and goals.
  • Partnered with local organizations to deliver outreach programs that expanded mental health access and education for underserved communities.

Education

Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology With Emphasis in Depth Psych

Pacifica Graduate Institute
Santa Barbara, CA
03-2020

Bachelor of Arts - Business And Project Mtg

Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL
06-2015

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts

Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, CA
06-2010

Certification

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Adults, Newport Psychoanalytic Institute, 05/2024


Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Infants, Children, Adolescents, Newport Psychoanalytic Institute, 05/2025


SE Level 1, Somatic Experiencing, 07/2022

EMDR Level 1, EMDRIA, 01/2022

Trauma Resourcing Level 1, Trauma Resource Institute, 05/2021

License

CA State LMFT License #132573

UT State License #14191311-3902

Timeline

Psychotherapist

Founder-LMFT Private Practice
05.2023 - Current

Military & Family Life Counselor

Leidos, Inc
04.2023 - Current

Clinical Team Lead & Intensive Psychotherapist

Windhorse Integrative Mental Health
06.2020 - 12.2022

Wraparound Youth Counselor

SELPA (Special Education)
04.2019 - 03.2020

Mental Health Counselor

Counseling West
09.2018 - 04.2019

Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology With Emphasis in Depth Psych

Pacifica Graduate Institute

Bachelor of Arts - Business And Project Mtg

Columbia Southern University

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts

Antelope Valley College

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Amanda Palen