- Stress and anxiety
- Workplace issues
- Self esteem
About Amanda
Amanda Halawa-Mahdi, LCSW, helps people who are feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck at work or in life. She supports individuals dealing with low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family conflict, and workplace issues. Amanda frames sessions around each person’s goals and strengths.
Amanda has 23 years of professional experience and is licensed in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over her career she has worked in settings that focused on behavior change and motivation. She also completed coach training through the Co-Active Training Institute and uses coaching skills to help people clarify values and make practical decisions.
Her approach blends client-centered listening with methods drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused work. She uses motivational interviewing to build readiness for change and draws on psychodynamic ideas to help people understand patterns that repeat over time.
In sessions she aims to build a respectful, nonjudgmental space where clients can name what they want to change. Conversations focus on concrete steps, clearer thinking, and small experiments people can try between meetings. Amanda pays attention to issues such as body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, guilt and shame, loneliness, and life purpose.
She also brings attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion and helps clients notice how identity and systems affect their choices and opportunities. To begin, readers are encouraged to use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
How Amanda's approaches translate to online work
Amanda draws on client-centered therapy to create a listening space that centers the person's goals and strengths. This approach emphasizes empathy, reflection, and helping clients name what matters most to them. She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors through small experiments. CBT is often helpful for stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and workplace problem solving. Motivational interviewing is another tool she uses to build motivation and clarify readiness for change. It helps when someone feels stuck and wants practical, stepwise movement toward a goal. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Amanda will discuss different methods and adapt them to a client’s needs, goals, and preferences. The decision about which techniques to emphasize is collaborative and may change as goals evolve. For online therapy logistics, please confirm the current session formats before booking since the profile does not list specific options. Many clients appreciate online sessions because they can fit appointments into a workday, reduce commute time, and make it easier to keep regular check-ins. Others find shorter phone check-ins useful when focus or bandwidth is limited. Amanda will help tailor the practical setup so sessions fit into everyday life.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Credentials
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Amanda commonly help with?
Amanda works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, family conflict, and workplace issues. She also focuses on body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, guilt and shame, loneliness, and life purpose.
What is Amanda's therapeutic style?
She blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral tools and solution-focused strategies. Motivational interviewing is used to support readiness for change and psychodynamic ideas help explore recurring patterns.
How much experience does she have?
Amanda has 23 years of professional work experience in clinical and coaching roles. Her background includes work focused on behavior change and leadership coaching.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an LCSW credential and is licensed in Illinois. The profile lists Illinois as her location.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what does it cost?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Specific pricing details appear during the sign-up process.
How does someone begin working with Amanda?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability. The matching process helps connect you and set up an initial appointment.