Amanda Root M.A. LMHCA, MT-BC

I graduated from Haverford College, a small liberal arts college near Philadelphia, PA, with a B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in music. After working as an administrative assistant for a year, and realizing that was a horrible fit, I returned to school and received my master's degree in creative arts therapy with a major in music from Drexel University in Philadelphia.  This program qualified me to be a music therapist and a counselor. Music therapy is an evidence based approach that uses music as a tool in the therapeutic setting and can be used to work with all types of people in all kinds of settings. Creative arts therapies are especially useful when people have difficulty articulating themselves. Music can help people access buried emotions and can connect people to healthy parts of themselves. I worked in a prison with dually diagnosed inmates, a mental health hospital, and a school for kids that was the last stop before a residential treatment center. 

Relocating to Washington in 1999, I opened my first private practice as a therapist and focused on individuals and groups of neurodivergent and neurotypical children. Goals were often to improve executive functioning skills, self esteem, and communication skills. Spending so much time with kids made me realize I wanted to have my own. Although I have fond memories of bringing my baby to work and holding him while playing the guitar and leading a group, after having three kids I chose to leave the field to raise them. My interesting and challenging adult life has helped me learn how to overcome adversity, experience and heal from trauma, and understand my own neurodiversity. I lost my sense of peace at one point but, with the help of therapy and spiritual connection, I was able to find it again.

Five years ago I started a business as an intuitive spiritual coach so I could use my life experience and training to help people find inner peace and expand their intuition. When clients started telling me I was sounding just like their therapist I realized it was time to return to the field of mental health. I re-certified as a music therapist and obtained my LMHCA to practice traditional counseling. I have a diverse and varied background so I practice therapy with a twist. 

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I have always been outside of the box but didn't truly understand my own neurodivergent thinking style until I raised my own children. I have followed a traditional path but not in the typical way. I have learned through experience how to heal from trauma and how to have the same compassion for myself that I have for others. I really enjoy helping people who feel like their lives are out of their control and want to transform their lives but don't know where to start.

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