Amanda is accepting new clients!

Hello, I’m so glad you’re here!  My name is Amanda Stem (she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Perinatal Mental Health Certification from Postpartum Support International. 

My approach to the therapeutic relationship is exploratory, anchored in curiosity, warmth and safety, with a sprinkle of humor. My practice is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) and we will use mindfulness based techniques to explore your internal experience through building relationships with the parts of you that show up. I also use a variety of other therapeutic interventions and theoretical models to help you guide your healing process, all through a fiercely strengths-based, person-centered, trauma-informed lens. Our work together will be sex positive, feminist and lovingly inclusive with emphasis on systems of oppression. 

I have a special affinity towards working with those who are pregnant, postpartum or in the throes of parenting. Working with parents means providing a space to feel held and safe to share the beautiful and uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that come with the vast transition into mother, father, parent. Sometimes, becoming a parent can be a portal into the memories of how we were parented and all that messy stuff we tend to bury resurfaces. I believe parents do the best with what they know and have available - you are not alone. It's also possible to not repeat these patterns in parenthood that keep you stuck and to heal your wounded inner child so you can be the parent you deserve to be. 

As a parent myself, I believe we are postpartum for life and that experience never ends, but only grows and changes over time. No matter if you became a parent a month ago or 10 years ago, I am here for you. 

I also enjoy working with people living with vulva pain and other vulvar conditions, folks needing a safe space to process through complicated stuff around sex and sexuality, those of you who are dealing with depression and anxiety in our fast-paced, information overloaded world, and anyone else who this bio resonates with who is needing to tell their story to begin their healing journey - because being a human is hard. 

There is the healing that happens in the room, together in the therapeutic alliance, confronting the patterns and cycles that are not serving you. Then, there is transformation that happens outside therapy, which is the unseen work you do on your own, when it is the hardest. As a therapist, my hope is we will celebrate and elevate the healing that happens both in and out of the room. 

When I’m not being a therapist, I may be found out in the wild riding my bike, chasing around my toddler, and advocating for reproductive freedom and universal childcare.

amanda@outofthewoodstherapy.com

Amanda is accepting new clients!

Amanda can accept most Aetna, Optum/United or BCBS insurance plans (and is a CPP provider for the NC BCBS state plan).

The private pay fee is $140 for 50-55 minute individual therapy sessions and $165 for couple/relational sessions.

If you would like to know more about using insurance or out-of-network benefits, please click here.