- Years in practice
- 39
- Credentials
- LMHC
- Licensed in
- Florida
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Amy
Amy Matthews is a licensed mental health counselor with 39 years of experience. She brings long-term practice experience from school counseling and independent practice into her work. Her approach is warm, straightforward, and grounded in real-world experience rather than jargon.
Amy listens first and helps people sort out what matters most. She uses plain language and steady support to help clients think through stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns. She also addresses mood issues, addiction struggles, grief, and questions about identity and intimacy.
Background and approach
Before relocating to Florida she spent many years as a high school counselor in Pennsylvania and ran a independent practice alongside that role. Since moving she continued in independent practice and worked with a wide range of adults. Her background includes a master’s degree in marriage, family, and child counseling earned in 1980 and decades of day-to-day counseling experience.
Amy blends several proven approaches to fit each person’s situation. Expect collaborative sessions that combine listening, skill practice, and problem solving. She is direct when needed and lightens heavier moments with appropriate humor.
Clients looking for help with parenting, blended family dynamics, attachment concerns, communication problems, or caregiver stress will find practical guidance. Amy aims to be an advocate in the room, helping people set realistic goals and try manageable changes over time.
What Amy works with
Everything Amy lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Amy helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Gender dysphoria
- Hoarding
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
Approaches Amy lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Amy’s Approaches Work Online
Amy uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy as core tools. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and taking steps that align with those values while accepting uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. CBT helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice alternative behaviors to reduce anxiety, mood symptoms, and problematic habits. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relationship patterns and early bonds to improve communication and emotional connection within families or close relationships.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Amy collaborates with each person to select the methods that fit their goals, lifestyle, and preferences. She adjusts pace and techniques over time so sessions stay relevant and useful rather than rigid.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues help, phone sessions require less bandwidth and can fit a work break, live chat can be a shorter check-in, and text-based messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around a busy life.
Questions people ask about Amy
What concerns does she address?
Amy works with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting issues. She also helps with depression, addictions, grief, and intimacy-related concerns.
What is her style in therapy?
Her style is warm, direct, and plainspoken. Sessions mix listening, practical skill work, and occasional humor to keep progress manageable.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 39 years of counseling experience, including many years as a high school counselor and long-standing independent practice work.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed mental health counselor, FL LMHC, and practices from Florida.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the client’s needs.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling based on therapist availability.
More therapists for parents in Florida
All in Florida
Paula Schneider
LCSW
Florida 20 years in practice
Practical, respectful therapy for parenting and relationships
- Addictions
- Relationship
- Family
Deana Duckenfield
LMHC, LPC
Florida 6 years in practice
Practical, goal-focused support for parents
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
Arielle Simpson
LMHC
Florida 12 years in practice
Supportive LMHC for parenting stress
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief