amber liechty, lpc
with the ever increasing challenges of our world, it’s normal for our minds and bodies to become exhausted and overwhelmed. feeling depleted, wanting to isolate, we might often find our mind is asking for relief.
deep space is an opportunity for those wanting to learn about their brain, heal and evolve with like-minded humans. we are asked to stay “self-aware” by our friends, family, and co-workers. while this state of mind can feel interesting and even exciting at times, it can also feel like yet another task we have to do in our day (life often times feels like “one more thing,” doesn’t it?). taking part in a therapy group lead by a licensed therapist can help you get to a place you’ve been imagining but struggling to achieve alone. because we’re actually meant to share and process our life struggles with others, despite messages you may have received along your human journey - we’re stronger together. come experience something different at deep space.
here’s the deal
life can feel so mucked up and overwhelming all at once. we can get caught up in thoughts and behaviors that we know aren't truly who we are but despite our best efforts, we continue to work from old operating systems - day in and day out. shaking things up and making changes is difficult for most and this is where having a therapist by your side can help. if you want to live a more empowered life, therapy can get you there.
finding the right therapist can also feel daunting. you already took the first step - good job. a "good therapeutic fit" according to one of my favorite professors, should, "...feel like you want to grab a drink and chat with them on the regular." don't settle. be willing to have several 15-30 minute phone/in-person consultations (they're usually free) to gauge fit and see if the therapist is right for you.
my heart
teens are the heart of my work at deep space. the teen experience can be overwhelming, confusing, and exciting all at the same time. both their internal and external climate is chock-full of newness, opportunities for growth, as well as potential pitfalls they can unintentionally fall into. they want guidance from a trusted adult outside of their circles who sees them accurately, speaks their language, and takes them on a journey of self-discovery, arming them for the real world they’re marching quickly towards. my rough-around-the-edges, direct, humorous, compassionate approach seems to be well received by the teens i have/had the privilege of working with.
i offer specialized teen group therapy for those currently in high school. since group therapy out-performs individual therapy in research, i prioritize my schedule for teen therapy groups (some individual therapy on a case by case basis). sexual empowerment and body image groups, in my opinion, benefit every teen regardless of their current struggle or diagnosis. i'd start there.
as a teen therapist with over a decade of experience, my approach to therapy encompasses skills-based, solution-focused, and behavioral modalities where my clients achieve results quickly with new insight, lasting ease and humor. teen groups are an affordable way to support your kid in creating a foundation for the person they want to become.
for my fellow colleagues
i hold a masters in dual-diagnosis (mood/addiction/eating disorders) from lewis & clark college. i have since worked in co-occurring addiction and mental health social services treating eating disorders and addiction at the following institutions: oregon youth authority, community services nw, sound mental health, and harborview trauma hospital in seattle, wa. in addition to continuing education in act and harm reduction, i received extensive continuing education in radically open dbt from abri rodbt (clinic in portland, or). rodbt has become one of the core lens' by which i currently practice. teens struggling with body image and in need of feeling sexually empowered are the population i enjoy serving most. i also treat adults with similar issues as well as adhd. thank you in advance for your referrals.
another note on groups
i attended and eventually began facilitating teen groups when i turned 17. through my educational journey i honed my group therapy skills in conjunction with providing individual therapy. deep space is where two decades of work finally come to fruition.
landing here in this present moment, i now know the teen groups i attended in my youth are what have contributed most to my success as an adult today. i’d like to give this gift back to my community.
we’re ready for this, we need this, let’s do this together.
“no one is special, and everyone is needed."
— adrienne maree brown