Somatic Healing

Individual Holistic Therapy for Adolescents & Adults

Home: Welcome

The doors to the world of the Wild Self

are few but precious.

If you have a deep scar, that is a door.

If you have an old, old story, that is a door.

If you love the sky and the water so much

you almost cannot bear it,

that is a door.

If you yearn for a deeper life,

a full life,

a sane life,

that is a door.

- Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Amanda Downs

(they/them ≥ she/her)

I love the creative process of accompanying clients on their unique journeys of self-exploration and wellness. I engage in therapy from an embodied, trauma-informed, and social justice-oriented framework that allows me to meet and celebrate you right where you are and honor the beautiful complexity of your life’s story. My passion for Somatics is rooted in my belief that embodiment is a deeply liberating endeavor - one that prioritizes your inner wisdom and sensate knowing and actively deconstructs the impact of systemic oppressions on your body, psyche, and soul.

I am a white, queer, genderqueer person who has extensive experience serving LGBTQQIAP2+, gender expansive/creative/ non-conforming, and transgender populations. I work well with young adults and adults who experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and/or complex developmental trauma and who want relief from unwanted conditioning and limiting self-beliefs in order to live more fully in their embodied truths. I will collaborate with you to identify the strengths and resources that already serve you and support you in discovering and building new tools for greater self-awareness and ease of emotional expression and regulation.

I utilize mindfulness, expressive arts, parts work, ritual arts, archetypal wisdom, and your connection to your body and the natural world to help you uncover both wounds and gifts and develop a greater sense of integrated wholeness.

I view our work together as sacred and I am honored to be a part of this chapter of discovery and transformation.

Home: About Me

SPECIALIZATIONS

PTSD & Trauma Healing

LGBTQ2IA+ Communities

Adolescents, Young Adults

Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness & Psychedelic Integration

Transgender, Genderqueer, Non-binary, Non-conforming, Gender expansive folx

Shame * Self-Esteem * Embodiment * Authentic Expression * Sexuality * Attachment Healing

Dance & Movement * Mindfulness * Expressive Arts

TRAININGS

Relational Somatic Healing (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy with Sage Integrative Health (2023- ongoing)

Introduction to Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, Polaris Insight Center (2022)

MAPS Public Benefit MDMA Therapy Training Program (2021)

Soul Motion Embodied Leadership Program (2020-21)

Hakomi Professional Skills Training Level II (2019-20)

Hakomi Professional Skills Training Level I (2018-19)

The UNtraining White Liberal Racism Program (2017-18)

Working with Trauma-Related Dissociation w/Janina Fisher, Ph.D. (2018-19)

Principles & Challenges of Trauma Treatment w/Janina Fisher, Ph.D. (2017-18)

Working w/the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma w/Janina Fisher, Ph.D. (2016-17)

Intuitive Body & Dance Ongoing Study & Apprenticeship Program w/Stefana Serafina (2015-18)

QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Hakomi Therapist, 2024

Marriage & Family Therapy License for the state of California, 2016 - License #96713

Masters Degree in Somatic Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, 2013

Clinical Massage Therapy Certification from the Soma Institute, 2006

Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from Northwestern University, 2002

Home: Credentials

Services

Individual Therapy

I offer skillful, holistic individual therapy that is rooted in somatic, trauma-informed, and mindfulness-based principles. My approach is warm, grounded, creative, and collaborative. Together we will develop a safe space in which to encounter your deepest wisdom.

I can support you to identify and move through old patterns that constrict your vitality, helping you to unearth your passion and unique gifts and live more fully into your authentic,

embodied truth.

Areas We May Focus On:

Identifying & Developing Your Resources

Liberating You From Legacies of Shame, Trauma &

Internalized Oppression

Alleviating Experiences of Anxiety, PTSD & Depression

Exploring & Strengthening Your Aliveness

Uncovering & Cultivating Your Authentic Expression

Fostering Your Embodiment of Safety, Connection & Trust

I would be honored to join you on your journey of greater self-awareness and can share the tools I have developed to support your aliveness and desired growth.

Relational Somatic Healing

In this therapy modality, we are focused on healing developmental trauma that was experienced in relationship early in life. This can include intergenerational trauma that has been passed down through the bodies and relational patterns of caregivers. Because this trauma was experienced in relationship, our pathway to a new healing experience also needs to happen in relationship.

By bringing my full authentic self to our connection, my intention is to support you to experience a real, healthy, loving relationship that honors your wisdom, respects your boundaries, celebrates your uniqueness, and champions your joy.

How this can differ from other forms of therapy:

Being immersed in the present moment

Noticing and following the body's wisdom

Bringing attention to our relationship

Naming what we notice in our relational field

Sharing of my experience in relationship

**Potential use of safe, ethical, relational touch **

** With relational touch, the client is fully clothed and a massage table will often be used to support the therapist's body.

Both verbal and non-verbal consent is essential, especially when utilizing touch. Consent will be an ongoing negotiation.

Relational touch can be a powerful tool to further support the client's experience of being in relationship. Touch is one of our first forms of communication. Being together in this way has the potential to access a deep sense of safety and connection.

Therapy for Adolescents

(ages 15+)

I have over 20 years of experience working with adolescents as an educator, mentor, group facilitator, and therapist. I love supporting young people during this potent time of

self-discovery.

Many of the adolescents I work with want support around:

Defining future goals

Self-confidence and self-expression

Exploring and celebrating their identities

Understanding and healing from past traumas

Alleviating experiences of anxiety & depression

Learning self-regulation tools

Contact me to set up a free 30min phone consult with you to see if I may be a good fit for your adolescent.

If we agree to move forward, we would then schedule another free 30min video call with you and your teen together so that they can also get a feel for me and my style of therapy.

Integration Support

For Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

Integration is essential to any peak or major growth experience.

It is the art of weaving new insights and ways of being into your daily life and overall sense of self.

This work can feel challenging as you practice bringing these changes into your relationships and routines. Together, we can create a framework that best supports you on your unique integration journey.

Perhaps you have had a difficult experience that has left you feeling disoriented or even in a state of overwhelm. In our work together, I can support you to stabilize, re-engage your resources, and once again find safety in your body and in your relationships.

You may want more ongoing support to bring a powerful, healing experience and its gifts into more areas of your life. We can utilize somatics, expressive arts, movement, ritual arts, eco-therapy, and relational therapy to cultivate this growth and celebrate the new pathways that have opened for you.

I have trained in MDMA-assisted therapy with MAPS and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Sage Integrative Health. I also have extensive personal experience navigating non-ordinary states of consciousness. I know first-hand the power of intentional integration when utilizing these portals for healing.

Contact me today to set up your free 30min consultation.

Contact

Home: Services

Common Questions

Home: FAQ

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$190 for weekly 50min session (Individual)

DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE?

*** All of my sliding scale spots are currently full.**

I understand that not everyone is able to pay my standard fee for weekly services. I maintain a number of sliding scale spots that I prioritize giving to young adults, QTBIPOC folx, and/or those who receive a lower income and do not receive additional outside support.

Please ask me about this if needed and we can discuss further what is possible given your financial situation and my current caseload.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

I maintain a number of insurance spots in my caseload.

I currently am able to accept:

CA Health & Wellness

MHN MediCal

Anthem MediCal

I offer Superbills for reimbursement.

I may be able to contract with your insurance provider on a Single Case Agreement as an out-of-network provider.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

I am located in unceded Lisjan Ohlone territory, Oakland, CA.

As of right now, I primarily see clients virtually, using a HIPAA-compliant platform for video/phone sessions.

For those interested in Relational Somatic Healing, we will meet for sessions in person in the East Bay.

DO YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA?

Unfortunately, no.

Because my MFT license is for the state of California, I am only able to offer Psychotherapy to those who are California residents.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Easy! Just email or call me to set up a free 30min consultation call.

In this call I will share more about my background and how I work and you can share more about what you are hoping to focus on. I find this helps us get a better sense of whether it's a good fit to work together.

If for any reason we feel that it wouldn't be the best fit, I am happy to reach out to my network to assist you in connecting to someone who may be a better match.