Dr. Amanda Johns, LCSW, ASDCS - Practice Owner, Therapist

Do you ever wonder why it is that you think or behave as you do? Do you sometimes (or all the time) feel like you are different than everyone else and you don't know why? Do you want answers? Are you tired of answering the same "how does that make you feel" questions over and over? Are you tired of pretending like you understand everything and everyone around you? Do you mask ALL THE TIME and it exhausts you? If any of these are "yes" I might be the right therapist for you.

I want to help you change your life. No more masking, no more pretending, no more hiding.

I want my clients to find relief from the difficult feelings and the impact of whatever difficulties they are experiencing, to feel like they can belong. I can teach you new ways of coping and to see your strengths. We will work together towards healing so you can be your authentic self. 

It's time to redefine what it means to be "normal". I am neurodivergent, and a neurodivergence affirming therapist. I know what it means to have to work 100 times harder than everyone else. I also know what it feels like to think anything less than perfection is failure. Together we can figure out who you are, and how your brain processes information because life can be really hard when we don't understand ourselves, or those closest to us - and when others don’t understand us.  You deserve space to grow within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.

I provide attachment based therapy to individuals, couples and families (children, teens, young adults and adults). My style is compassionate and empathetic while also being direct and to the point. I specialize in cases that are often labeled as "difficult" and clients who have been to therapy before yet haven't had sustained change. I keep a small caseload in order to give you the attention you need and deserve. I offer specialized services for the following: narcissistic abuse, neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism), trauma, borderline personality disorder, therapy for therapists and therapy for fostered and adopted individuals who need support around adoption trauma and/or issues of attachment.

I am an eclectic and affirming therapist that uses aspects of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy. I tailor my approach to the specific needs of each individual. I utilize evidence-based approaches and continually engage in research and continuing education in order to remain updated on the latest information. 

If you are a therapist looking for LSW or LCSW supervision, I am available for this service. I will create a brave space for you to explore the work you are doing with clients, challenge you to learn about yourself as therapist, push you to engage in ethical decision making and examine issues related to social justice and intersectionality that may impact your client. I have been providing supervision to clinicians since 2017.

I am also available to provide neurodivergent affirming Autism , ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD testing and consultation services for corporate and non-profit mental health and substance use disorder programs.

About Amanda

Amanda is a featured panelist for Lakeside Global Institute's web-based training: The Essentials of Trauma - The Opioid Crisis. She is a public speaker and has shared her insight and knowledge to substance use programs, religious organizations, therapists, educators, moms groups, community members, community leaders and healthcare workers on topics related to mental illness, neurodivergence, parenting, substance use, foster care, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) supportive services, adoption, spirituality, teens, attachment and trauma. 

Amanda is a consultant for community mental health programs. She helps these organizations to develop deconstructed attachment based models and integrate a secure base into their program. Amanda has had great success in creating programs that increase client engagement while also being a supportive and encouraging environment for both staff and clients. Amanda is the former director of a community based substance use program and developed programs and services that were praised by accreditation organizations and community stakeholders.

Amanda developed and hosted a podcast series titled Worth the Work during COVID that ran for two seasons and was dedicated to topics that normalized therapy for consumers. Amanda also developed and hosts a podcast titled The Social Work Project that is dedicated to educating social workers and other service providers on topics related to affirming and attachment based clinical practice. 

Amanda sat on the Utilization Review committee for Warwick House, a Sanctuary Model residential program for children and teens who are struggling with serious emotional and behavioral problems often associated with severe trauma, substance abuse exposure, and serious family stressors for over six years.

Amanda is the founder and director of Autism Unplugged, a nonprofit organization developed to connect Autistic teens and young adults to adult volunteer mentors who can provide support through this challenging period of development and transition. www.Autism-Unplugged.org

Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a certified trauma competent professional, a certified parent educator and an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. Amanda has her Doctorate of Social Work. Her research has focused on Attachment Theory, the impact of racial and ethnic identity, anti-racist practices in leadership, issues of systemic racism, deconstructing education, deconstructing therapy, Autism, the experience of Jewish Americans, the impact of religious trauma, historical and generational trauma and issues related to the foster care system, attachment and adoption.

Amanda's services are available virtually, or in person. Her office is located in Doylestown, PA.