Amanda McClaugherty, LPC
Therapist in Old Town, Alexandria, VA
Gender: Female | Office Location: Old Town, Telehealth | States Licensed In: Virginia
Languages: English | Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LPC | Age Group: Ages 9+
About Me
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with 13 years of experience in the mental health field. My background includes seven and a half years working with at-risk youth and their families before transitioning into private practice. I currently work with children, teens, and adults ages 9–65, helping clients navigate anxiety, ADHD, depression, panic attacks, grief, self-esteem, school concerns, chronic illness, and LGBTQIA+/transition-related concerns.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mary Baldwin University and my master’s degree in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University. My goal is to help you explore the challenges and experiences you’ve been through, define what you want to work toward, and find a way forward that feels meaningful to you.
My Approach to Therapy
I try to make therapy feel like a conversation rather than a clinical experience. I use interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), but I weave those approaches naturally into our conversations.
You don’t need to come to therapy already knowing exactly what your goals are. I’ll ask whether you have something specific you want to work toward or whether you would rather figure it out along the way. We can adjust our sessions based on what is most helpful for you.
What to Expect When Working With Me
Many of my clients come to see me after an unexpected life transition or change that they’re struggling to navigate. That might be a breakup or infidelity, starting a new school year, a disruption within the family, or difficulties in relationships.
Our first appointment will include plenty of getting-to-know-you questions. We’ll talk about your family and relationship history, whether you’ve been to therapy before, what brings you in now, and how you would like to move forward in therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you work with?
I work with clients ages 9–65 and have experience with children, adolescents, adults, and families. My areas of experience include ADHD, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, grief, self-esteem, school concerns, chronic illness, and LGBTQIA+/transition-related concerns.
What does a therapy session with you feel like?
A therapy session should feel like a conversation. I incorporate CBT, DBT, Person-Centered Therapy, and IFS, but those interventions are woven into what we’re already talking about rather than making therapy feel overly clinical.
What if I don’t know what my therapy goals are yet?
That’s okay. Some people begin therapy with very specific goals, while others know something needs to change but aren’t sure exactly what that looks like yet. We can figure it out along the way and identify what you would like to work toward together.
What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?
It’s okay to feel nervous. You can try a few sessions and see how it feels. There’s no expectation that you immediately know what to say or feel completely comfortable from the first appointment.
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
That may take a few sessions to figure out, and I want you to feel comfortable giving me feedback along the way. If you need more prompting, more structure, or even “homework” outside of sessions, you can tell me. And if it feels like we simply don’t “click,” that’s okay too.
A Little More About My Experience
I’ve worked in mental health for 13 years, including seven and a half years supporting at-risk youth and their families before moving into private practice during the COVID pandemic. That experience has allowed me to work with people facing many different challenges while reinforcing the importance of building a relationship that feels genuine rather than overly clinical.
Amanda provides in-person appointments at our Old Town Alexandria office, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.
I look forward to getting to know you more and helping you explore the questions or unknowns you might have.