Welcome to my page!
Update 6/20/2024: I am NOT accepting new clients at this time. I have a waitlist option if your concerns are not urgent and you’d like to be contacted again in the future.
I am Dr. Amanda Walters, a licensed psychologist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. I specialize in sex therapy (including but certainly not limited to sexual function/dysfunction, sexual identity, sexual trauma and abuse, relationship concerns, and gender/gender identity concerns). I provide teletherapy services exclusively and am able to meet with anyone who is located in the state of California. Although I specialize in these areas, I was trained as a generalist and can work with most people on issues ranging from: anxiety and depression; difficulty adjusting to changes; managing grief and loss; stress and time management; identity development; and interpersonal relationship concerns. I see adults both for individual therapy as well as relationship counseling.
My role as your therapist is to facilitate your personal journey, whether that’s helping you learn to adapt to new challenges, helping you learn new skills, or identifying and challenging obstacles or barriers to your personal success. Sometimes I may help you learn information, at other times, I will help you understand your emotions, and at other times, we will work together to help you learn new skills. Since everyone’s journey is different, our work together will really depend on your current needs. It may be brief – focusing mostly on improving coping skills, finding external sources of support, and learning to ask for help – or it may be longer-term – allowing for more self-exploration, re-learning and healing from past trauma, and receiving ongoing support.
As your therapist I will provide a confidential space where you can process your thoughts and feelings, as well as a different perspective than what your friends and family can provide. I have many hopes for my clients and I want to help you learn to identify and express your emotions, connect better with others, identify personal values, identify wants and needs in relationships and better communicate with loved ones.
I was trained as a cognitive-behavioral therapist (CBT) and, while I do use CBT in my work with my clients, I generally work from an integrative perspective, utilizing theories and techniques individual to each client. The theories that I use most in my work include: CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), schema therapy, interpersonal process therapy (IPT), family systems therapy, and feminist therapy.
Credentials:
Licensed by the California Board of Psychology, PSY29109
Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco, CA
Certificate in Sex Therapy, University of Michigan, School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Clinical Experiences
Gronowski Center, Los Altos, CA – Clinical Supervisor
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA – Counselor Faculty
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA – Multicultural Postdoctoral Resident
Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN – Predoctoral Intern
The Women’s Community Clinic, San Francisco, CA – Integrative Mental Health Counselor
Bay Area Women Against Rape, Oakland, CA – Crisis Intervention Advocate
San Francisco Sex Information, San Francisco, CA – Sex Educator
Professional Affiliations
American Psychological Association (APA)
Division 35 – Society for the Psychology of Women
Division 44 – Society for the study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)