Amanda Garcia , LCSW

Amanda Garcia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with ten years of experience who has made Arizona her home for nearly 15 years after growing up in the Midwest. She earned a bachelor's degree in 2011 and completed her master's degree at Arizona State University in 2012 through the Advanced Standing Program. Amanda obtained her initial license as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in 2015 from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health and later advanced to LCSW status, which permits independent clinical practice.

Amanda has worked in a variety of clinical settings and brings experience supporting people who have faced domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, grief and loss, and extreme poverty. She also works with clients managing depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, and related concerns. Her approach is described as down to earth, easy to connect with, empathetic, and goal oriented. She uses an authentic, strengths-based, and nonjudgmental counseling style and favors a holistic view that considers mental health alongside physical health.

She individualizes treatment rather than offering a cookie-cutter approach, collaborating with clients to develop treatment plans tailored to each person's needs and goals. Amanda typically maintains weekday availability from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and notes that sessions can be up to 45 minutes, with occasional flexibility for requests outside her posted schedule. To provide care in accordance with licensing board requirements and professional ethics she asks for identifying information before beginning treatment, and she will only contact clients outside the platform in cases of emergency. Licensing information is available on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health website at www.azbbhe.us. For urgent crises she advises calling 911 or the 24/7 crisis line at 602-222-9444.

Approaches Amanda Uses and How Online Therapy Helps

Amanda integrates Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a supportive, empathetic relationship where the therapist listens deeply and helps the client explore their values, emotions, and goals; this approach can be helpful for improving self-esteem, navigating life changes, and strengthening relationships. CBT is a practical, skills-oriented approach that helps people identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many daily coping challenges.

She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques when clients need tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. Amanda emphasizes collaboration in selecting therapeutic methods - she will work with each person to determine which approaches fit their needs, goals, and preferences rather than imposing a single method.

Online therapy with Amanda is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options can make it easier to attend sessions from home, manage ongoing support between appointments, and access care when in-person visits are not practical. Licensed professionals can adapt these methods to help clients progress toward their goals in a way that fits their life.