Hello!

 

I'm Amanda! 

 

I found my passion working with children when I worked as a dance instructor and co-director of competition dance team. I worked with children for about 7 years providing them with dance skills and general guidance. I thrived in knowing that I was able to be a positive influence on their lives. As a dance instructor, I also worked closely with families. I made it my goal to ensure that parents knew that their child was cared for and prioritized. In this last year, I changed my career and became a school counselor at a local charter school. I worked with children struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism, learning challenges and other concerns. This experience provided valuable lessons on relationship building, trust, and making meaningful connections with clients and their families. I value establishing a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients and their families.

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I also work with adults and other special populations. I have field experience at Frankie's Place, Park Royal Hospital, and Armor Correctional Health Services where I offered crisis services, comprehensive treatment supports, and addiction treatments. I worked with a variety of disorders including incarcerated individuals, outpatient programs, and adults suffering from addiction, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Working with complex populations inspired my learning about the complexity of mental health. My therapeutic approaches are generally evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapies and include strategies from Dialectical Behavioral Therapies (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Strategies. 

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I am a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern. I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology and my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University. I grew up in Tampa Bay and am familiar with the area.

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Amanda enjoys dancing and spending time with loved ones when she is not at work.

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Email me: sammons@drmonicalake.com

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