Dr. Amanda Berney PsyD

I typically offer a brief, no-cost consultation to determine if we are a good fit. Early sessions are spent discussing your major concerns, setting general goals, and building a relationship. I am more active during early sessions, asking questions that help me get to know you and how you have grown into the person you are. Later sessions dive more into the topics you which to discuss. We will explore behaviors and patterns you may or may not be aware of, develop skills for coping with distressing symptoms, improve communication skills, and enhance your understand of your self and others, thus improving relationships. I also provide psycho-education to clients though my knowledge of human development and psychological theory to encourage sustainable change.

My approach to therapy is relational, dynamic and integrative. I practice relationally, building a relationship of trust, respect, non-judgment, and sincere caring with my clients. My approach is dynamic in that I rely upon developmental principles and the psychodynamic perspective—how the people and circumstances of our early years contribute to who and how we are today—to guide my understanding of what clients share of their lives. My approach is integrative, using interventions from various evidence-based practices to address client’s distressing symptoms and concerns. This means introducing skills and coping strategies for dealing with distressing symptoms, building insight about relational and behavioral patterns, and increasing motivation to pursue lasting change.

• California, PsyD, 33212