Amanda Harris, MSW, LCSW.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
As the wife of a first responder, I am super passionate about helping those who help others. My practice mostly serves police, fire fighters, nurses and their spouses. When working in a high intensity profession, its often very challenging to balance that hypervigilance with tenderness and compassion at home. First responders are very resilient and often work very hard to make healthy changes in their lives. By utilizing a few body based interventions, my clients often see quick improvements.
2. Tell us about yourself.
During Covid, many people in the helping profession developed PTSD. I started my online practice to give them a space where vulnerability was allowed. After working many years in the field myself, I understand the stressors first responders bring home. The world will always be challenging. With that, we must learn to honor our own journey not just those we serve. My goal is to help first responders understand that their needs, emotions and desires are just as important as those they serve.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
One of my clients once said "I'm realizing I am not a robot." After a few months of therapy, this client recognized that it was ok to experience emotion. He was able to share his stories with those he trusted. He learned that many others experience the same PTSD symptoms which he has suffered with for years. Normalizing the depression and anxiety of PTSD, validating the daily fear and hypervigilance of trauma exposure brings me hope that mental health is moving in the right direction.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
In the beginning I struggled with being true to myself. I was very nervous about 'niching down.' I knew I mostly wanted to work with first responders and their spouses because of my own experience as a police officers wife yet, I was anxious to grow my practice. Overtime, I became more confident with referring out clients who were not a good fit for me. Because of this, I am able to narrow down my personal trainings in a way that will be most beneficial to my clients and practice.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
Here are my three tips:
- Find a clinical supervisor that will challenge you
- Connect with others who also specialize in your niche.
- Utilize an EMR system that supports your work.