Amanda Ihle

Amanda Ihle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Oregon with 16 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and addiction concerns. Her style is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at making the first step feel doable for someone who is worried or overwhelmed.

Before practicing in Oregon Amanda spent eight years licensed in Washington State working with juvenile court addiction treatment and providing on-campus services in several school districts. For the most recent eight years she has worked in a level one trauma emergency room in Portland, where she supported people in acute crisis and learned to work calmly under pressure.

In sessions Amanda creates an open environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without judgment. She tends to use practical strategies drawn from approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness to help people notice their patterns and try new responses.

She also draws on attachment-based and client-centered ideas to build trust and focus on what matters most to each person. Amanda helps people talk through relationship, parenting, grief, and intimacy-related struggles while addressing sleep problems, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue.

Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. She encourages small, steady steps and stays focused on real-life changes that can reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning.

How Amanda's approaches translate to online work

Amanda uses acceptance and commitment therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and focus on values-based action rather than getting stuck in rumination. This approach can be useful for stress, anxiety, and anger when a person wants tools to stay engaged in life while coping with uncomfortable emotions.

She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at the link between thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and teaches practical skills like thought records and behavioral experiments. CBT is often helpful for depression, sleep issues, addictions, and anxiety. Client-centered elements shape how she works in session, emphasizing listening, empathy, and collaboration to set goals that match the client's priorities.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. Amanda will work with each person to try methods that fit their needs, adjust when something isn't working, and focus on small, measurable steps toward their goals. The process is conversational and tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Many people find remote work helpful because it can fit into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and make it easier to keep appointments during work or caregiving demands.