Amanda Young, LCSW
(She/Her)
Preferred Name: Amanda
About Me
I am Amanda Young, LCSW in the state of Connecticut and owner/therapist of Gentle Reflections Counseling and Wellness LLC.. My philosophy at Gentle Reflections is to encourage all who enter this space to hold compassion for others, tenderness towards themselves, and to know that they are doing the best they can. My compassionate, yet direct approach creates a space where you can feel seen and understood. In the world and in my office, your voice matters. For this reason, I offer a collaborative approach to develop the most effective treatment strategies to meet your unique needs. I pride myself on creating strong therapeutic connections with my clients, focusing on their strengths, as well as their autonomy to choose their own path. I prioritize mutual respect and open communication that allow for fulfilling work around your specific areas of focus. I believe through life's struggles and experiences we often can find meaning and purpose, despite the pain that can accompany these life events. Whichever direction life has led you up to now, I am happy to cross paths with you. My hope is that through our therapeutic work together, I can help you achieve a more gentle perspective towards yourself and your experiences. While taking the first step to reach out to a therapist can can bring up a variety of feelings, I am here to make this transition as smooth as possible. If this means sharing space for tears, lightening the mood with humor, or spending the first session getting to know about your pet, I am all ears. My practice is committed to LGBTQ+ affirming care and inclusion.
Education & Experience
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Connecticut. I earned my master's degree of Social Work from Fordham University, centering my training around counseling throughout the lifespan. The majority of my career has centered around non-profit work, serving those in the community who are most in need, while upholding stringent therapeutic treatment standards. Both as a therapist, as well as a leader within the non-profit community, my training in various evidence-based treatment modalities have provided me with skills to address a variety of challenges people may face. I specialize in providing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to those with trauma, anxiety and depressive symptoms, coupled with alternative interventions based on client request and need.
Specialty Area
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Birth Trauma/Pregnancy Loss
- Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
- Depression
- Family Issues
- Gender Identity
- Grief/Loss/Mourning
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Moral Injury
- Phobias
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
- Stress Management
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adults
- BIPOC
- Families
- First Responders
- LGBTQ+
- Seniors
- Underserved
- Veterans/Military
Language
- English
Insurance
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna