Amy Bednarski, LPC
Certified EMDR Therapist
Welcome,
You are here because you are tired of feeling emotionally exhausted and unfulfilled in your life. You want to feel better, however nothing you have tried has seemed to ease the pain that you feel, or perhaps you don't even know where to start to get there. You want a therapist that actually gets it...someone who knows the pain of feeling broken, and how daunting it can feel to even imagine how to get the life that you want. You want a therapist that has been able to find their way through their own darkness to a place of healing and that knows this is possible for you too. This may be your first time seeking out help, and walking into unknown territory feels terrifying and way too vulnerable. Or, you may have been through multiple therapists in the past and feel defeated because you have not experienced any noticeable change.
Wherever you are in your journey, I invite you to come just as you are.
Hi there, I'm Amy and I am here to help.
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified EMDR Therapist with over 20 years of experience. I work with individuals 12 years of age and up who experience anxiety, low self worth, PTSD, trauma, or have been through challenging experiences or relationships. My goal is to help you find ways to cope with painful emotions, to help you heal your emotional wounds, and to guide you in your transformation to becoming the best version of yourself.
My Journey To Becoming a Therapist
I'm no different from the clients I see. Like everyone else, I'm human. I've been through both wonderful and very difficult experiences that have shaped who I am. My own growth through personal life struggles is what helps me relate so deeply with my clients.
During my childhood and young adulthood, I struggled with depression, anxiety and low self worth. I often felt alone in my suffering and felt like there was something wrong with me. Once I finally reached out and started therapy of my own, I was able to get the help I needed to turn my life around. No one should ever walk alone in their pain or feel permanently damaged, which is what inspired me to become a therapist and brings passion to the work I do.
What Therapy is Like With Me
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Our sessions will provide you with the opportunity to be yourself and uncover what's under the surface. You will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself, the patterns that you seem to be cycling through, and make connections to understand your struggles. You will feel what you need to feel, and find that your emotions are welcomed, in a space free of judgment and full of understanding and compassion. People who work with me say that I have an easygoing demeanor, and feel seen and heard. My clients know there is nothing off-limits to share in therapy! You deserve a space where you can talk about the hard stuff, feel embraced for who you are, and to be supported in where you want to be in life. That being said, you might try to avoid bringing up the really tough stuff, and that is ok. It is important for you to feel safe and to have a voice in the pacing of your therapy, which I will always respect.
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My Professional Background
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience providing therapy in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, outpatient community health, and private practice. I am a Certified EMDR Therapist and have completed several advanced EMDR trainings focusing on dissocation, complex trauma, and attachment. I am trained in DBT, and utilize DBT and mindfulness training to assist individuals in gaining tools to manage emotions and stress. I also utilize an IFS-informed approach to address dissociation, and to increase one's capacity for self compassion. I am committed to increasing my knowledge and skill as a therapist, through participating in ongoing continuing education and consultation with my colleagues.
I have a passion for working with parents of neurodivergent children. Being a parent myself of an autistic child with ADHD, I have a deep understanding of the daily stressors, exhaustion, worry, and grief that can be present in the journey of parenting a child with additional needs. It can be extremely traumatizing and isolating, and I feel honored to be able to support other parents so they don't feel alone.
Me Outside of the Therapy Room
When I'm not working, I spend most of my time with my husband, son and our dog. I enjoy playing with and walking our dog, hiking, meditating, listening to podcasts, reading, and watching Netflix(admittedly binge watching at times). Things I love: sunsets, tea, being in nature, a good book, dark chocolate, and good conversation.
As A Therapist, I Embrace The Following Philosophies
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We are all doing the best we can given our life circumstances.
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We are not what happened to us. What happened to us, or what did not happen for us, shapes our views about ourselves and the world, however underneath lies our true self waiting to be discovered.
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We all have within us the innate capacity to heal, no matter how deep the wound.
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Loving and accepting ourselves for who we are, scars and all, is one of the most courageous and freeing things we can do,
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People underestimate their ability to change. Even if it feels like all hope is lost, it's possible to show up and do the work. It's possible to enjoy life again.