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. It is important to understand that link before we are able to successfully change our behaviors. I strongly believe that real change is possible and occurs in the space between comfortable and uncomfortable. The safety found in the relationship between therapist and client is an important part of healing and change. It is truly an honor to be a therapist and I consider myself fortunate to walk through life with my clients. 

I prefer a warm, collaborative approach to therapy and enjoy 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 often should) be part of the healing process.

Clinical Interests:

My specialties are in couple's issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss (particularly partner, parent, or child loss), chronic or terminal illness, as well as infertility and postpartum mood disorders. I enjoy treating issues related to parenting, including the complex demands placed on parents of disabled children. Due to my extensive experience in grief work, I’ve partnered with corporations to provide on-site therapy in the midst of workplace crisis and tragedy. I’ve also worked with nonprofits and corporations, presenting on mental health issues in the workplace.

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, 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 in AAMFT approved supervisor, supervising 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 of The Phoenix Clinic and The Rare Life. Lastly, I’ve recently joined the 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, Caring for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child is set to be released in May of 2025. It is being published with Workman Publishing.

3 Things I love:

I'm passionate about social justice, animals, and good horror films.

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

(To learn more about Amanda, read her interview with Blood + Milk here. You can also follow her on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins.)