Amy Dean is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist™ who specializes in working with children and youth of all ages, as well as adults, who are dealing with life stressors, situational events, and anxiety and/or depression. Issues she treats include, but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, anger, grief, divorce, relationships (through individual therapy), school issues, self-esteem, and executive functioning skills.

Amy received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Illinois State University and her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Amy has experience working with youth in residential treatment, in school settings at all levels from ages 3-21, and with clients of all ages in the private practice setting. 

Amy works with clients to identify their strengths and challenges, and to learn healthy coping strategies. When working with clients, she utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), strength-based, trauma focused, and solution focused, as well as play therapy techniques for younger clients, such as expressive arts, therapeutic games and curriculum, sand play, and dramatic play. Children communicate through play, and they process their thoughts and emotions through play.

Amy became certified as a registered play therapist™ in June 2023, and completed basic training in EMDR therapy (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) in spring 2023. Amy is trained in TF-CBT (trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy) and is working to complete the certification process at the end of 2023.  

• "Play therapy, a modality of child therapy, is a powerful tool for addressing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Licensed professionals therapeutically use play to help clients better process their experiences and develop more effective strategies for managing their worlds." (Source- Association for Play Therapy) 

• TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma, and for their parents or caregivers. 

• EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.