Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Averbeck.
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since I was 18, I knew I wanted to be a counselor. I had not started my own personal counseling journey yet, but something about reading about the career in the course catalog of my chosen University captured by soul.
I had escaped laying on the therapist couch, not because I grew up problem free (I had plenty of those, some of them diagnosable!), but because I also grew up in a family that believed counselors were out to steal your religion.
Prayer was better. If you had problems–pray more and pray harder.
The problem was, many of my problems stemmed from having diagnosable OCD. I brushed my teeth too long and too hard until my gums bled. I also prayed. I prayed too long and too hard. For hours. Until I felt “just right”. The trouble was, it wasn’t prayer at all. It was compulsion. I just had no idea.
It wasn’t until I started to become a counselor after getting married, after having two kids, and as a second career, that I gained insight into having OCD. I realized I was working incredibly hard to stop bad things from happening to me and those I loved.
I was exhausted. Intrigued by this new way of living and being I was learning about in school, got me thinking. It sounded a lot more like freedom than religion ever gave me…at least my OCD version of religion.
I started weekly counseling and dove head first into trauma and OCD recovery. For 6 long years.
Today I have a stronger relationship with God because I have actually found Him. No longer am I living in my own echo chamber of what I think He is like and compulsions of trying to please Him. And I found myself. I am myself. And, Good News, I feel peace, joy, freedom, confidence, and clarity.
I love my job. I love being able to sit with people as they grapple with finding their own authenticity. I love it. I leave my job energized.
Oh. And my OCD? It’s calmed the heck down.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Clients often come in to see me knowing they want change. They also know what change they want. Most of the time they expect this change to come instantly because they have this insight.
“Please just tell me how to get from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’.” they say.
I *could* tell you how to do that. But it would mean nothing to you. I could also guide you to find the answer yourself and that will hurt more at first, but mean so much more, and you likely will never forget the way again.
Did you catch that the hardest part of my healing journey was 6 *long* years? I didn’t use that adjective lightly or to exaggerate.
It was grueling.
Gaining insight to all parts of ourself is painful and leaning into compassion for the parts of us we would rather not have can be even more painful.
For example. When I learned to care for the part of me that was compulsing instead of praying, I was devastated. It meant I had to let go of the false impression I had of myself that I was “holy”.
I gained something much much better though. When I discovered the reality of what was going on, I found choice. Did I even want to be “holy” in that way?
Then comes the stage of therapy no one really talks about.
Grief.
Yes. With true growth there is usually a stage of grief. When you shift from one way of being to another often people grieve. Now they know what they didn’t know they didn’t know in the past. And that often feels like loss.
Leaning into the compassion for self in this stage is paramount and can feel painful too. And it can set you free from the burden.
As you know, we’re big fans of Authentically Rooted Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
When I became a counselor I thought I was going to specialize in something else entirely.
After my own healing journey I have discovered a passion for helping people and couples heal from OCD, Religious Trauma, and Family of Origin patterns that no longer serve them. With Couples I also specialize in Attachment Re-attunement and Connecting Communication.
To help heal OCD I am specifically trained in very gentle Exposure and Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques. Both of these therapies are the current gold standard for treatment. I include Avant Garde therapy, Internal Family Systems, to get to the root of the OCD instead of just treating the symptoms. I have been mentored by Melissa Mose in the synthesis of these three therapies for the treatment of OCD.
For Attachment Attunement and Connecting Communication I have been trained in the Satir Model and have ongoing mentorship with internationally know Jean McLendon, who was trained by Virginia Satir herself.
Starting in 2026 I will be a Certified Mental Health & Nutrition Clinical Specialist. This training will allow me to help clients understand how their diet is affecting their mental health. I will also be able to recommend supplements as a first line of defense, instead of pharmaceuticals, for OCD treatment. I partner with a local natural wellness clinic for blood work and neurotransmitter testing so that we can understand exactly what you body needs to get back on track.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Ever heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”?
I believe this applies to *all* humans.
We are wired for connection. We are wired to be in community. It strengthens our mental & physical health to be in healthy relationship with one another.
That being said; I want to know and work with you!
If you want to be a client or you want to collaborate as a colleague please reach out via my contact form on my website!
www.AuthenticallyRootedCounseling.com
I look forward to getting to know you and working together!
Pricing:
- $150 (50 min Individual or couples)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AuthenticallyRootedCounseling.com
- Instagram: @AuthenticallyRooted_Counseling
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmandaAverbeckLMFTAssociate
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-averbeck-lmft-18a453200
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/852904
