Dr. Amanda Dooley

My name is Amanda Dooley. I've spent my career specializing in helping clients from all walks of life heal from trauma. I am an Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinician Certification (ERPSCC). I have a special passion for helping first responders, veterans, and their families because of my own background growing up in a military and first responder family and being married to a combat veteran. I obtained my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands and I have my MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University.

Since I began my career, I have worked with individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life. I believe in creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can feel heard and respected. My goal is to offer empathy and support as we work together to find solutions. I view therapy as a collaborative relationship. You are the expert on your own life.

I utilize techniques from several types of therapy in order to tailor my approach to the individual client. Overall, I am firmly rooted in a humanistic and mindfulness based approach. I frequently incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training into individual therapy sessions. I do NOT offer fully adherent DBT, a more intensive type of therapy that involves weekly individual therapy sessions, weekly skills training groups, and phone coaching between sessions. If you are interested in this type of therapy, I am happy to offer referrals to local providers who offer this service. You can learn more about DBT here:

https://behavioraltech.org/resources/faqs/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt/

I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a type of therapy that utilizes eye movement or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help individuals heal from the negative impact of past traumatic or distressing life experiences. You can learn more about EMDR here: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

I get it, talking to a stranger is awkward, so I try to make the first session as comfortable as possible. It's important to find a therapist that is a good fit for you. I'll ask questions to gather information and learn more about what brings you into therapy. I'll explain more about how the therapy process works and my approach as a therapist. Then we'll talk about and identify specific goals you'd like to accomplish in therapy. Your personal goals will then guide what we do in subsequent sessions. A helpful way to think about it is we're kind of like personal trainers for the mind. You'll also have the opportunity to ask me questions!