Amanda Roy-Vitto

I received my education and licensing credentials through the University of Wyoming. My 18 years of experience has included school counseling ages 5-18, being on a team who provided individual, family, and couple's counseling, and Telehealth services supporting the mental health needs of contracted companies. I discovered I was craving more freedom with my schedule and philosophy, and desired to expand the type of services I can provide, so I opened up my private practice.

My logo is neither random nor created just to look pretty. As a mental health therapist, I deeply connect with the folklore that describes the bison's approach to storms.

When most animals encounter a storm, their instinct is to avoid it, go around it, or essentially do anything possible to keep from going through it. The bison put their heads down, lean in, and trudge willingly into the intimidating part of the storm first to decrease ultimate suffering.

Humans are different. We don't willingly volunteer for painful experiences. Avoidance as a coping mechanism is understandable because of how it presents as a measure of protection, but protecting yourself from one thing can unintentionally invite an unknown threat of some other thing.

When issues remain unaddressed, life is more difficult than it has to be. Effective guidance through discomfort opens you up to the likelihood of brighter days.

I'm a bit of an unapologetic optimist and seek to find connection, meaning, and favor even in the dreaded things. I find peace and power in the notion of facing things head on and not resisting the struggle because many of my yuckiest moments came with blessings I wouldn't trade for ease of life. We can learn to repurpose our painful experiences.

Although my faith informs my sense of purpose, I respect clients' individual beliefs & values.

The most common feedback I get from clients is that I have a natural ability to connect with them. They describe my approach as a balance between making them feel safe, supported, and heard, while also encouraging them not to avoid discomfort. My style has been described as "empathetic accountability" through validation and candid feedback. An example might be an alternative perspective that is difficult to hear but worthwhile of consideration.

I apply a variety of research based therapeutic models, but my primary approach is grounded in the practice of cognitive behavioral therapy. My goal is to help you challenge unhelpful thinking habits to create a shift in your mindset defaults. Within that shift, you can learn to recognize that conflicting truths can coexist, and you can learn to focus on the truth that serves a healthy purpose and is deserving of your time, emotions, and energy.

My methods involve humor, storytelling, and real-life examples to help counseling concepts feel personal and relatable. I work hard to meet you where you are and approach therapy from a place of compassion and non-judgment. I strive to create conditions that promote emotional safety so you can feel less apprehension when being forthcoming and truthful about the more troubling aspects of your story. Common obstacles to a client baring their truth are fear, guilt, or shame. I will work to help you release those barriers to your own healing.

I often provide reflection exercises or personalized strategies to practice between sessions because time spent independently engaging in activities that directly connect with your treatment goals is the fastest way for you to improve your outcomes. You can expect me to be reliable, to communicate respectfully, to be undistracted in session, and to deserve your trust. My goal is that you leave every session feeling that how we utilized our time together was relevant and worth the investment you've made in yourself.

Our first session is a highly important one because it serves multiple purposes: 1) get to know one another to create connection, trust, and rapport; 2) thoroughly review your intake and gather additional information about areas of highest concern; 3) discuss your reasons for seeking counseling and create a draft plan for goals and treatment; and 4) provide you with time to ask questions and share anything relevant to you receiving quality care. My goal for our first session is to leave with a clear idea of what you are wanting and needing from therapy so I can be intentional with our time and customize my approach to match those needs.