Amanda Marcum, LCSW

Amanda Marcum is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in both Indiana and Kentucky. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University in 2007, specializing in Children and Families, and has built an 18-year clinical career working with adolescents, adults, and families across a range of concerns. Her experience includes helping people cope with depression and anxiety, stress, family problems, LGBT-related stressors, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and parenting challenges, and related issues.

Amanda emphasizes that the therapeutic relationship itself - the sense of connection and comfort a person feels with their therapist - is central to effective counseling. She approaches work with openness and a non-judgmental stance, aiming to increase clients' self-awareness and offer perspectives that help create movement when someone feels stuck. Amanda believes that exploring the relationship with oneself and with others is valuable and can support growth through difficult experiences.

She offers multiple ways to connect, including messaging, live chat, phone sessions, and video sessions, and invites people to message her through Better Help. Amanda typically checks messages three times each day, seven days per week, and is primarily available 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Because posted calendar times may not reflect every possible opening, she encourages prospective clients to confirm availability via messaging. She looks forward to working with new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Amanda commonly integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness techniques in her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a supportive, non-judgmental relationship where the client is the expert on their own life - this approach helps with building self-awareness, self-esteem, and navigating relationship or family concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used to address anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-focused awareness and simple attention practices to reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation, which can be helpful for stress, trauma-related symptoms, and ongoing mood or attention challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Amanda works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors strategies over time so the work remains practical and relevant.

Online therapy in her practice is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home or work, allow for more consistent contact when day-to-day issues arise, and help people fit therapy into busy lives while still receiving focused, therapeutic support.