"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship."
- from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Hello, I'm Amy Cortez (pronouns she/her) and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have over 14 years of experience in the mental health field and have worked in community mental health, the VA, and hospice. A little bit about me as a person: I am originally from Washington State and have lived in multiple states (both as a child and currently as a military spouse). I love traveling and adventures, baking and cooking, hiking, reading, and spending time with loved ones (including my two dogs!).
I love working with...
I provide counseling services to teens and adults across the age span coping with grief and loss, life changes, anxiety, depression, suicidality, family dynamics, intersectionality, trauma, and interpersonal relationship issues. I have a passion for working with the military community, including active duty service members, veterans, and their families. I specialize in issues around military deployments, reintegration, relationship stressors, and coping with transitions related to military life.
Some of my favorite approaches include...
I approach framework rooted in trauma informed care and person- centered focus.
How I help...
Therapy is a collaborative process and I can support you in identifying goals, processing life experiences, and developing skills to navigate stressors.
I believe...
...it is possible to gain clarity and empowerment in your life through exploration of your experiences, self-discovery, gaining new insights, building skills, and developing compassion for yourself. You can find the strength and peace that you seek, we will foster it in our work together.
What it's like in session with me...
The first session can feel scary or overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. I let clients know that our first session will consist of us getting to know each other and building rapport. Please know that you are never under pressure to talk about/disclose anything and my goal is hear from you what has brought you in for counseling. Sometimes clients can't put words to why they are there, they just know that they don't like how they have been feeling or the way things have been going- that is enough for us to start with! Together we will explore what is happening and my goal is to empower you through this process.