Amy Cleckler, MPH, LCSW

A Wholistic, strengths-based perspective

I conceptualize my clients’ presenting problems from a strengths-based framework, and strive to create a non-judgmental and empathetic climate in my therapeutic relationships. I believe that our brains and bodies naturally want to cooperate together to find health and balance. Therefore, lasting improvements in mental health require embodied interventions as well as cognitive ones. We are so much more than our thoughts! For deep and lasting change, we must be able to feel embodied and safe at the same time.

I consider myself an integrated trauma-recovery Therapist. I incorporate various somatic approaches, attachment theory, and internal family systems work into my treatment. One of these is the Safe & Sound Protocol, which I offer to clients. This Safe & Sound Protocol is based on Polyvagal Theory, which was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. I prioritize assisting clients with re-/creating safety and calm in their nervous systems, something that is more difficult to access when we are stressed and/or traumatized. I am especially attuned to the physiological states of clients, so that I can work deeply with helping folks feel re-/integrated with their bodies and achieve calmness and connection with themselves and others.

Therapy as a collaborative process

I invite clients to collaborate with me as part of a therapeutic team. Clients are invited to set their own goals and give me ongoing feedback on their treatment experience. I regularly use homework assignments to assist clients in building new skills and improving overall functioning in life outside the therapy office.

Integrated, research-based approaches

My integrated therapy approach utilizes empirically-based techniques and frameworks to formulate an individualized treatment plan — with a healthy mix of directness, non-judgment, and humor.

At the end of the first session I provide clients with a suggested plan for collaborative treatment. If the therapeutic relationship feels like a good fit, we will work together as a “therapy team” to make treatment as effective and efficient as possible. Therapy is not magic and it’s often not easy – but improved mental health and better relationships are reasonable expectations of treatment.

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Depending on the needs of each individual client, my approach can include elements of the following modalities:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy)
• ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
• SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol)
• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)
• IFS (Internal Family Systems)
• MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
• Relational-Cultural therapy