Licensed Social Worker

SHE/THEY

Amanda G. Melendez is a Licensed Social Worker (IL Licensed number 150.107224). She received her bachelor’s in psychology at Binghamton University and her Master of Social Work at the University of Illinois Chicago with a certificate in Evidence Based Practice for Children and Adolescents. She also has a certificate in CBT for Anxiety and OCD. She has clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with common struggles like anxiety, depression, OCD, complex family dynamics, life transitions, parenting struggles, self-worth, self-harm, and gender/sexuality exploration.

Amanda believes it is important to recognize a person’s whole lived experience, the systems they are a part of and how intersecting identities can contribute to addressing their stress. As a LGBTQ+ Latinx person, they often draw from intersectional feminist, multicultural, social justice, and trauma-informed frameworks to help clients from same or different experiences. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes creating a non- judgmental space where collaboration occurs to meet the client’s needs with playfulness, empowerment, and self-compassion. She utilizes multiple interventions to fit each client’s goals, such as, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Mindfulness, and expressive art therapies.

Amanda finds joy in supporting clients in more effectively recognizing and communicating their needs, wants and motivation to change. Amanda is mindful of how this process will look differently for all clients, whether that is the relationship someone has with themselves or others.

In Amanda’s free time, she enjoys arts and crafts projects, reading, playing video games, watching video essays, and going to concerts across the city.