Amanda Garrick, LCSW

Amanda Garrick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California who brings 17 years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with an emphasis in Applied Developmental Psychology plus a minor in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. As an LCSW Amanda is a licensed mental health professional trained to provide psychotherapy and social services to individuals and families.

Amanda has extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, substance use concerns, relationship and family issues, grief, LGBT matters, parenting challenges, and a variety of intimacy- and body-image related concerns. Her background includes providing crisis intervention, conducting risk assessments, and helping clients develop practical coping strategies to navigate stressful situations and life transitions. She also works with clients facing caregiver stress, addiction, ADHD, and complex co-morbid conditions.

Amanda integrates training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problem Solving Treatment, and Mindfulness Therapy into her practice, tailoring techniques to each person s needs while emphasizing acceptance and support. She approaches therapy collaboratively, aiming to empower clients to build skills, enhance resilience, and move toward meaningful change.

Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Amanda commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. CBT is goal-oriented and often includes practical exercises clients can use between sessions to build new skills and improve daily functioning.

She also draws on Mindfulness Therapy, which helps people develop present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness techniques can support stress management, emotional regulation, and coping with intrusive or distressing memories.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Amanda works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best. She considers a client s needs, goals, and preferences and adapts methods over time so therapy remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy with Amanda is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and other commitments, and allow therapists and clients to maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not possible.