Amanda Ihle , LCSW

Amanda Ihle is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Oregon with 16 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical, down-to-earth support for people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, relationship and parenting challenges. Amanda aims to create a straightforward space where people can talk without judgment and take the next steps toward change.

Her background includes eight years working in addiction medicine with Clark County Juvenile Court and school-based programs in Southwest Washington. For the past eight years she has worked in a level one trauma emergency room in Portland. That mix of settings has shaped a calm, steady approach to high-stress situations.

In sessions she uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness alongside attachment-informed work and client-centered listening. She helps people notice unhelpful patterns, test small changes, and practice new habits between meetings. Techniques are explained in plain language and tied to real-life goals.

Amanda also supports people dealing with grief, intimacy questions, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem struggles, compassion fatigue, and ADHD-related challenges. She can help individuals sort through family conflict, blended family issues, and separation concerns.

Her style is practical and encouraging. She acknowledges that starting therapy takes courage and works collaboratively to set attainable steps. Sessions are offered in formats meant to fit different needs and schedules.

How Amanda’s Approaches Translate to Online Care

Amanda commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which focuses on clarifying values, accepting difficult thoughts, and taking committed action. ACT can help when anxiety, depression, or avoidance get in the way of living the life a person wants.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and to test small, concrete changes. CBT is useful for stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and mood concerns. Attachment-informed work helps people understand patterns in close relationships and how those patterns affect intimacy and communication.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Amanda works with each person to match methods to their goals and preferences, trying out strategies and adjusting the plan over time. She explains tools plainly and builds step-by-step goals that fit daily life.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let people use visual cues and longer conversation time. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for quick check-ins. Live chat and text-based messaging are helpful for short updates, homework check-ins, or those who prefer written communication. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, school, or caregiving routines.