Amanda Leitner LMFT

Somatic therapy is for anybody with a body. It is the place from which emotions, thoughts, and beliefs arise. When we work with somatic sensations and patterns in the here-and-now - while linking them to the bigger picture of your life, history, and identity - insights arise, and change becomes possible. Especially when that happens within the safe and supportive container of our therapeutic relationship. Clients often leave my sessions feeling refreshed and ready for what's next. I welcome clients of all ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship configurations.

My style is warm, relational, and sincere. Trust building is our first priority, and I always consider you the foremost expert on yourself. In my work with adults and minors both, we weave together meaning based on thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. We ask, “What wants to happen?” and then listen and make room for the answers. Depending on the age of the client as well as the modality we’re using, this could happen verbally or non-verbally. Each session is a creative and collaborative act. I can be direct and spacious in turns, and I am fond of giving little “homework” assignments so that our work can continue throughout the week. We can do either brief goal-oriented work or longer-term depth work, depending on what’s needed.

I have known I wanted to be a therapist since I was a teenager, and found first solace and then self-confidence with the help of my own therapist. In college, I did an internship at a middle school counseling office, and discovered my passion for working with preteens and teens. I also love working with adults of all ages, and especially young adults. I’ve held a lifelong admiration for the human body - the whole that will always be immeasurably greater than the sum of its parts.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 90324

I've been a therapist in private practice since 2017. Before that, I was the school counselor for a K-8 school, piloting and running the program. Before that, I worked with teens and adults at a somatic (aka body-oriented) sliding scale community clinic.