Amanda Atkins, LMFT, PMHC, AAMFT Approved Supervisor

Pronouns - she/her

Amanda is licensed in Illinois, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida, and Wisconsin

Approach to Therapy:

As humans, we are influenced, not defined, by our relationships and pasts, and changing our behaviors includes unpacking the connection between the past and the present. I believe that real change is possible and occurs in the space between comfortable and uncomfortable. Therapy provides a safe environment that fosters healing, and I consider myself fortunate to walk through life with my clients. 

I take a warm, collaborative approach to therapy and love getting to know my clients and gaining an understanding of what brought them to their current place in life. I appreciate humor in therapy and believe laughter can (and should) be part of the healing process.

Clinical Interests:

As a therapist, I specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate a wide range of emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss (particularly the loss of a partner, parent, or child - including infant loss). With extensive experience in grief work, I have collaborated with organizations to offer on-site therapy during workplace crises and tragedies.

I also specialize in working with clients and families navigating terminal illness, infertility, and postpartum mood disorders. I am particularly passionate about supporting parents, including those facing the unique demands of raising children with disabilities. I also love working with clients on compassionately deconstructing religious beliefs and approaching spirituality with a new lens.

I am committed to providing a safe therapy experience for all sexualities, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, and abilities.

The therapeutic techniques I use come from a variety of schools of thought, including psychodynamic, trauma focused, internal family systems, emotion focused, and transgenerational family therapy.

I offer consultation and supervision for other clinicians, particularly on the topics of grief/loss, postpartum mood disorders, and disability parenting.

Education and Training:

I hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and a master's degree from Northwestern University. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in multiple states. As an AAMFT-approved supervisor, mentoring other therapists is a passion of mine. I am a certified perinatal mental health therapist and have advanced training in postpartum mood disorders. I’m an Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT) trained therapist and received my training through the San Francisco Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy. In addition, I’m EMDR-trained.

As a frequent guest lecturer at schools such as Northwestern University, Feinberg Medical School, and Adler University, I’m passionate about education and training. I recently served as an adjunct professor at Adler University, teaching Perinatal Mental Health. In addition, I’m a proud board member The Rare Life. Lastly, I sit on the medical advisory board at Rare Parent Magazine, where I also serve and a writer and contributor.

In the past, I've worked in many different therapeutic settings including hospice, community mental health, and group practice. I founded my group practice in 2015 with the mission of providing excellent therapy alongside clinicians who have a shared vision of inclusivity, diversity, and positive change.

My forthcoming book, How to Handle More than You Can Handle: Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child is set to be released in June of 2025. It is being published with Workman Publishing.

What I love:

I'm passionate about social justice, observing beauty in nature, horses, and good horror films.

Amanda can be reached at: amanda@amandaatkinschicago.com.