Amanda Long, LCSW
Senior Clinical Director, Therapist in Alexandria, VA
Gender: Female | Office Location: Stevenson, Telehealth
States Licensed In: Virginia, Maryland, Vermont
Languages: English | Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LCSW | Age Group: Ages 14+
About Me
Whether you are new to therapy, coming back to it, or thinking, “Okay, maybe it’s time to talk to someone,”… we can start from there.
I’m Amanda, and I have worked in the mental health field for more than 20 years. I enjoy helping people with everything from day-to-day stressors to anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, anger, addiction, and challenging family relationships. I also really enjoy helping people navigate parenting and marriage challenges, as well as the adjustment to becoming a new parent and the postpartum period. I work with ages 14 and up.
I believe therapy can help understand what may be getting in the way, while also recognizing what’s already working. Together, we will identify barriers, recognize your strengths, build upon what has helped you in the past, and find practical strategies that fit you and the life you want to live. That might mean finding better ways to navigate stress, improving communication and relationships, managing anxiety or depression, working through past experiences, or finding different ways to approach challenges related to substance use or family dynamics.
My Approach to Therapy
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I like to start by really getting to know you—what is going on right now, what your daily struggles look like, and then the foundation of your childhood and family structure. Understanding those experiences can help identify patterns and barriers, while also giving us a clearer idea of what might be helpful in moving forward.
My sessions are a mix of conversational and structured. If you need to vent, I am totally okay just listening. Sometimes you simply need a place to talk things out loud and organize what is happening in your head and in your life.
At the same time, I like having treatment goals. I may ask you, “How do you want things to be in the next three to six months?” Then we’ll work backward together to figure out what can help you get there. I often end sessions by asking, “What do you want to work on this week?”
Your answer doesn’t have to be something profound. Maybe it’s making time for self-care, practicing techniques to regulate your emotions, communicating differently with someone in your life or simply keeping it together at work this week.
You get to decide what feels realistic for you. And if something doesn’t go as planned, that’s okay—we’ll look at what got in the way and figure out what might work better next time. Whatever we decide to work on, we will always connect back to the goals that are important to you.
I use a mix of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and other approaches and techniques depending on what you’re experiencing.
What to Expect During Your First Appointment
My approach is warm and nonjudgmental. If you’ve been in therapy before, I want to know what didn’t work for you or also what went well. If this is your first time, I want to understand what happened that made you decide, “Okay, I’m ready to try therapy now.”
We’ll usually start with what you’re currently experiencing and then gradually go deeper into your relationships, upbringing, family experiences, and other parts of your life that may help us understand the bigger picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you work with?
I work with teens and adults– ages 14+ experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, anger, OCD, addiction, and other life challenges. I also work with people who are trying to cope with a parent or family member struggling with addiction or who display narcissistic behaviors.
Another area I really enjoy is helping people navigate parenting and marriage challenges, including the major adjustment that can come with becoming a new parent and postpartum life.
What if someone else’s addiction or behavior is affecting my mental health?
You don’t have to be the person struggling with addiction or specific behaviors to be deeply affected by it. I work with clients who are trying to cope with a parent or family member’s substance use, as well as people navigating difficult or unhealthy family relationship patterns. We can focus on your own emotional health, boundaries, coping skills, and changes that are within your control.
Do I need to know exactly what I want to work on?
No. Sometimes you know something isn’t working but haven’t figured out exactly what needs to change. You may simply need somewhere to talk things out loud and organize what’s happening in your head and life. We’ll figure out what’s most important together and turn that into goals that feel useful to you.
What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?
I have been there, so I get it. You’re allowed to be nervous. We’ll go at a pace that feels okay for you, and if there’s something you don’t want to talk about yet, that’s completely fine. It takes time for us to get to know each other.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Ultimately, that’s something you’ll determine as we get to know one another. I’m warm, down-to-earth, and goal-oriented, but I also like to have fun. My goal is to genuinely get to know you and help in whatever way I can.
A Little More About Me
Outside of work, I’m a married mom of two and a self-described nerd who loves learning. I enjoy reading, podcasts, audiobooks, and sports—especially the Buckeyes and Commanders. And if sports aren’t your thing, no worries. I’m always interested in hearing about the things that matter to you.
I look forward to meeting you and assisting in whatever way I can.
Amanda is the Clinical Director of our Stevenson Alexandria Office. Amanda provides in-person appointments at our Stevenson Avenue Alexandria office, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.