Therapist in Chicago, Illinois,
Amanda L Harris, LCPC

Welcome to the beginning of your journey to living life to your full potential and being your best self! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a graduate degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago. I have been a counselor for over 10 years and utilize my creative arts training to resource the body in order to deepen the verbal connection and insight that I strive to develop with every client I come in contact with. This looks very different for each individual, some do not utilize any physical movement in counseling, while others might engage in full body movement depending on comfort level and interest in expressing oneself through movement.

In addition to Dance/Movement Therapy, I also utilize a variety of counseling theories and techniques to meet my client’s needs based on what works best for them. Techniques I most often utilize in my work come from client-centered, strengths-based, and cognitive behavioral theories; always with a trauma-focus in mind. My perspective on therapy and life is to identify and build upon strengths instead of focusing on filling deficits. I do that in my own personal and professional development, as well as, with my children, family, friends, and clients.

Whether working with youth or adults, I am always interested in building a strong relationship as the starting point and value each individual as such, an individual with basic human wants and needs that they are looking to fulfill. With this perspective, I meet clients where they are at holistically: body, mind, and spirit. The main focus and goal of my work is to assist clients with accessing and resourcing their internal resiliency in the face of life’s stresses. From life transitions to severe trauma, it is my view that everyone can resource the healthy parts of themselves to live life as happy and fulfilled individuals.