Amanda Ihle, LCSW

Amanda Ihle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon with 16 years of professional clinical experience. She has helped people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship challenges, and the effects of trauma and abuse across a range of settings. Amanda spent eight years licensed in Washington State providing addiction medicine treatment through Clark County Juvenile Court and delivering on-campus services to multiple school districts in southwest Washington. For the past eight years she has worked as a clinical social worker in a level one trauma emergency room in Portland, bringing hands-on experience with high-acuity situations and crisis intervention.

Amanda emphasizes an open, nonjudgmental space where clients can share thoughts and emotions honestly. She understands that beginning therapy requires courage and recognizes that first step as an important part of healing and growth. Her background in both juvenile court settings and emergency trauma care informs a practical, strengths-based approach that aims to meet people where they are and support meaningful change over time.

Approaches That Inform Online Therapy

Amanda draws on several evidence-informed approaches to guide online sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise - it can help with anxiety, depression, and patterns that get in the way of living the life someone wants. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationship dynamics shape feelings of safety, trust, and connection and can be useful for addressing relationship difficulties, abandonment concerns, and trauma-related attachment wounds. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replace them with practical skills for coping and problem solving, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress management.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Amanda works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access licensed professionals from different locations. These options allow for consistent support while tailoring communication style to what feels most comfortable for the client.