Amanda Tolar

I’m Amanda, an LMSW (Licensed Master of Social Work) based in Michigan, specializing in trauma therapy. I earned my Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in 2018, with an Interpersonal Practice designation and a specialization in Trauma Across the Lifespan. I also received my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Generalist Perspective from Ferris State University in 2009.

I am a neurodivergent therapist with lived experience in many of the same areas my clients navigate, including trauma therapy and 12-Step recovery programs. I specialize in supporting individuals healing from trauma, with a particular focus on adults processing childhood trauma.

I’m passionate about helping people heal from experiences that have led them to believe they are inherently bad or defective, and supporting them in understanding themselves and their experiences as well as rebuilding a sense of safety, agency, and self-worth. My work focuses on helping clients build resilience, reconnect with their authentic selves, and discover what they truly want and need in their lives.

Because our experiences shape our lives, I practice from the guiding perspective of "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?"

I take an integrative, relational, and trauma-focused approach to therapy, incorporating Psychodynamic, Attachment-Based, Somatic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspectives. I can also incorporate a gentle spiritual perspective when appropriate and meaningful.

We'll start getting to know each other in our first session. We will go over your intake paperwork together, and I will ask questions to make sure I have a good understanding. You are welcome to ask me questions about the therapy process, my education, training, and experience, as well as questions to get to know who I am as a person. The goal is to feel comfortable with each other, and for me to be able to gain a deeper understanding of what brought you to therapy. We'll also dive into the specific challenges you're facing, and collaboratively identify goals for us to work on in follow-up sessions.