Dr. Amy L. Huang DSW, LCSW
Hi! I’m Amy! Have you ever felt the rug pulled from under you? Ever wake up, and wonder how your life turned out the way that it did? A good therapist helps guide a client to achieve their dreams and maximize their potential. I will provide that third party perspective that helps you reflect on who you really are and help you to become more efficient with getting what you want.
Relationships and growing up with trauma is hard! I have spent the last 48 yrs. as a survivor of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I am extremely knowledgeable about the affects of child abuse and how it can cause a person to doubt oneself, isolate from others, or to become a potential target of workplace bullying. Feeling alone could lead to depression and anxiety. Also, I have had personal experience with IVF and understand the emotional roller coaster and the agonizing wait for many processes to go through. Whether you have been abused as a child or not, I am here to help you on your journey to healing.
I provide individual, couple’s therapy and groups whether in person or remotely in the comfort of your own home. My approach is finding the creative giftedness in you as my belief is that each individual is an individual in their own right. It takes perseverance and courage to seek therapy and admit that all is not well with you. Therapy can provide an opportunity for more self-reflection,more guidance, and more posivity in people’s lives. This is not to discount the negative aspects of our lives since those situations have shaped our experiences and may have influenced how we perceive the world.
I am willing to work hard to help you thrive. Let’s work together to make a difference in your life! I strongly believe in utilizing mind-body modalities and having a more holistic approach in therapy.
About Me
Dr. Amy L. Huang DSW, LCSW is a devoted therapist, [ACSW, AMFT, APCC] supervisor, and EMDR consultant dedicated to inspire, motivate, and help others in their personal growth. She received her doctorate degree in social work at The University of Sydney and her master’s degree at California State University in Long Beach. Dr. Amy has worked as a licensed social worker since 2017 and has been a counselor in the mental field since 2001 after obtaining her first master’s degree in counseling psychology from Temple University.
Dr. Amy is EMDR and brainspotting certified. Dr. Amy has also completed trainings in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), emotion focused therapy (EFT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI) and Gottman therapy for couples. She is knowledgeable about utilizing IFS in her practice for brainspotting and EMDR.
Dr. Amy has worked in a variety of sectors that include non-profit/for-profit organizations, child psychiatry, schools (LAUSD and ABC Unified School Districts), colleges, women rape survivors, working internationally with people with schizophrenia, carers of people with mental illnesses, autistic people, and children in the general and special education population. Her passion is working with minority groups, cis-gender and with people in the LGBTQI community. She primarily works with adolescents and adults in individual and couple’s therapy in private practice.
Services Provided:
Individual and Couple’s Therapy
EMDR intensives, 3-4 hrs of therapy at a time
Brainpotting Intensives 3-4 hrs of therapy at a time
ACSW, APCC, AMFT Supervision for Licensing Hours
EMDR Consulting (for those who want to be EMDR certified or to become EMDR consultants).
People that I Treat
Trauma/PTSD
Depression/Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Workplace Bullying
Low Self-Esteem/Confidence
Loneliness
IVF (In-vitro-fertilization)
Life transitions
Being a Therapist
College or graduate school stress
Reviews as a Clinician:
Ryan Gardner LCSW: “Dr. Huang is a charismatic, empathetic, and educated therapist! She brings years of experience, a joy for learning novel techniques to help her clients, and is adept at forming a connection. I highly recommend her!”
Billie Jo Williams, MA, MFT: “Dr. Amy offers a kind and thoughtful approach to therapy. Each client is given a personalized experience. She uses modalities such as brainspotting and EMDR. Her knowledge (both personally and professionally) and skills help her connect with clients.”
Kristi Noel Mitchell, LPCC: “Dr. Amy Huang is knowledgeable, skilled, and open-hearted therapist; I highly recommend her due to her trauma informed care. She is very attuned to you as you go through your healing journey.”
Christie Linnartz, LPCC: “Dr. Amy Huang’s extensive knowledge and trauma-informed approach make her an invaluable resource for healing. Clients benefit from her calming presence, and her skilled, compassionate listening ensures that they feel cared for.”
Treatment Modalities
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy was founded by Francine Shapiro in the 1980’s. The eye movement (back and forth) replicates REM (Rapid eye movement) sleep phase or when we are in deep thought. It forces us to think deeply while recalling a trauma and hopefully we may develop new insights or reframe our perspective about the trauma.
There is a theory that the eye movements allow both sides of the brain to communicate with each other. The left side of the brain specializes in logic and reason while the right side of the brain specializes in emotion. When a trauma has occurred, there is a disconnection between the logical and emotional sides of the brain and the client feels as if he or she were reliving the trauma all over again.
The dual attention of focusing on the eye movements while thinking about a past trauma helps divide one’s attention and causes a client to feel more relaxed, the disturbing images less vivid, and the client may feel comfortably distanced from them. The emotional impact of the trauma is then felt less strongly.
Some researchers discovered that the eye movements caused people’s heart rates to lower, slow down breathing and there is a decrease of skin conductance, which indicates relaxation. EMDR helps facilitate the brain’s natural capacity to heal itself. Just like we get a cut and it turns into a scab, and then back to skin without any effort, our mind knows how to heal itself when it is given the proper stimulation.
More than 44 randomized controlled trials have investigated EMDR treatment of PTSD, early traumatic stress, and traumatized children and 28 randomized controlled trials evaluated its use with major depressive d/o, bipolar d/o, psychosis, anxiety d/o, OCD, substance use disorder and pain. EMDR has proven to be effective in eliminating PTSD and trauma-related symptoms and improving symptoms related to presenting problems (Louise, 2019).
After assessing 120 outcome studies, EMDR’s effects were greatest in PTSD in children and adolescents and secondly with treating combat PTSD, depression and chronic pain (Mathiessen et al., 2020).
Video on EMDR modality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkfln-ZtWeY
I also provide EMDR intensives that are 3 hrs long at a discounted price for people who know what issue they would like to work on and process for a longer time period of time and more intensely. Why wait 1x per week for an hour long session when you do not have much time and want to condense it in 1 day?
EMDR Intensives:
Transformative care
Works well with complex trauma
Works well with attachment trauma
Brainspotting
According to David Grand, the founder of brainspotting, “brainspotting is a brain based psychotherapy approach that uses the field of vision to find out where the person is holding the trauma or any negative experience in their brain.” What we say in brainspotting is “where you look influences how you feel.” Literally when we look at different places, we feel differently. The brain will start to resolve it until it gets to the point of resolution.
The brainspot is a point in visual space that a client has a strong reaction to. Clients have described it as working quickly and intensely. They also say that it feels like meditation and it helps them to really focus and to think more clearly. Brainspotting is evidence-based and has proven to be effective in studies that compared it with other therapeutic modalities.
A study of efficacy of other modalities of therapies and brainspotting with anxiety were conducted utilizing EEG’s before and after treatment. According to Anderegg (2015) brainspotting showed the strongest long-range therapeutic effect after 6 months and the largest reduction of anxiety symptoms.
Similarly, in the Sandy-Hook school shooting, a study of the survivors indicated that brainspotting was the most effective therapy out of 15 other therapeutic modalities including equine therapy, play therapy, music and art therapy.
Video of Brainspotting Modality: https://www.pacificbrainspotting.com/brainspotting
I also provide Brainspotting intensives for 3 hrs per day at a discounted price. Clients may have a lengthy discernment process or be navigating a big transition. They are good for clients who want to see faster results and have difficulty committing to weekly therapy due to time restraints.
Brainspotting Intensives:
Deeper connection
More relief in a short time-frame
Life-changing
Profound healing
Gottman Therapy
The Gottman method is based on longitudinal research that in happy, lasting relationships, the approach toward conflict is gentle. Couples would soften the way they bring up an issue and accept influence from each other and they constantly communicate acceptance of one another. They are able to repair interaction and de-escalate if it becomes negative and are able to move to compromise. Increase in productivity needs to be a focus through improving the couple’s friendship and fostering a secure attachment with each other. This can be accomplished when couples turn toward bids for emotional connection, building emotional intimacy, and building other positive affect systems such as courtship, romance, lust, sex, play, fun and adventure (Gottman et al., 2000-2016).
Their research indicates that saving failing relationships must involve accomplishing 3 goals: 1). Down-regulating negative affect and its escalation during conflict. 2). Increasing positive affect in conflict, and 3). Increasing positive affect outside of conflict. In this therapy, the focus is on emotion, skill building for managing conflict, developing new skills for enhancing friendship and helping couples create a system of shared meaning with each other (Gottman et al., 2000-2016).
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
According to Richard Schwartz, (2021), we all have parts; they are valuable until they become burdened and forced into distorted roles by what happened early in our life. They may come in the form of defenses, old memories, and painful experiences that include humiliations, deprivations and violations. They can exacerbate or give us disasters, nightmares, strange dreams, emotional outbursts, and chronic emotional states. The concept of “parts” allows people to observe thoughts and emotions from a distance and from a place of acceptance rather than fighting or ignoring them. The goal is to help clients form better relationships with their parts.
Even the most destructive parts (shame, self-harm, built, low self-esteem) have protector intentions. Parts are often frozen in past traumas when their extreme roles are needed. When they trust it’s safe to step out of their roles, they are highly valuable to the system. The newly unburdened part almost universally says it feels much lighter and wants to play or rest, after which it finds a new role.
Unblending or separating ourselves from our parts can help us be more of our true selves. When we liberate parts from the roles they have been forced into, they can be who they were designed to be. Our true selves possess calmness, clarity, compassion, courage, creativity, curiosity and connectedness.
The self possesses its own wisdom about how to heal internal as well as external relationships. No longer are our parts in the driver’s seat but actually our true self is and we become self-led. As a therapist, I will help you identify your parts and encourage them to tell their story from childhood so their burdens can be released.
What Clients are saying:
Client #1:
“From 2020-2023 I was lucky enough to find myself in the care of Dr. Amy. I honestly struggle to find the words for how she helped me heal DEEP emotional and psychological issues and trauma. She did a number of things that really helped me go from being unable to stand and constantly heavy sobbing in every waking moment to thriving through some of the most challenging parts of my life.
Dr. Amy went out of her way to learn tools, techniques, and processes and provided me the best possible care. I imagine she has alot more folks to heal in her time yet, and I am happy for them.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to Dr. Amy who changed my life for the better and I will never forget.”
Client #2:
“I have the pleasure of working with Dr. Amy Huang for several years and I can genuinely say that her warmth, expertise, and dedication to her clients is exceptional. As a therapist, she creates a safe, welcoming space where I always felt comfortable and supported. Dr. Huang’s skill in trauma therapy, particularly through EMDR and brainspotting has been incredibly impactful in helping me work through real-time challenges. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking compassionate and effective support.”
Client #3:
“I was a client of Dr. Amy Huang from 2022-2024 and received treatment services from her for PTSD and childhood trauma. She treated me with the modalities of EMDR and brainspotting, both which were highly effective at helping me understand my early trauma and work toward healing it. She is very patient, very insightful, and adaptable to her client’s personal situation and needs.
She taught me the technique of having me go back as my current adult self to protect and comfort the young, abused and traumatized younger inner child and help him heal. With brainspotting, I was able to get in touch with my young self at various stages of development and understands how the trauma affected me. I highly recommend her as a therapist.”
Client #4:
“As a client new to therapy, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Dr. Amy made me feel at ease right away. After 2 sessions of her brainspotting technique, I felt that I had made a major breakthrough in bringing my subconscious traumas to conscious awareness where I could better understand and work through them. I am very grateful to Dr. Amy not just for helping me work through my past difficulties, but for teaching me to approach my whole life mindfully.”
Supervision of ACSW’s, AMFT’s and APCC’s
I am extremely passionate about the work that I do with my supervisees. Every day, I feel like I am having fun at my job. I have alot of initiative and energy when it comes to innovative ways to run supervision sessions. My approach is interactive and wanting to engage new clinicians to exploring their client’s worlds, understanding power and privilege, different therapeutic modalities, ethical standards, diagnosis, and assessment and applying it to their practice. I believe that being successful in this career involves the willingness to keep evolving and developing new ways to help people imrpove their lives. My hope is to inspire clinicians to put their best self forward in their work and to take away different tools from each supervision session.
The four modalities that I am most familiar with are EMDR, brainspotting, internal family systems, and Gottman’s method for couple’s therapy. We may also touch upon various talk therapies such as acceptance commitment therapy, (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused therapy (EFT), and motivational interviewing (MI). It has been beneficial for supervisees to be exposed to hese different therapeutic modaltiies in supervision.
I create a safe space for supervisees to talk about their countertransference and to know their biases and to understand themselves. I also help them understand the DSM-V and to help them build confidence in their own practice. I continuously look for new research and developments in psychology, counseling and social work and happy to share this information with my supervisees.
What Supervisees are saying:
Crystina Leyva, ACSW:
“I had the privilege of working under Dr. Huang as my clinical supervisor during my time as an associate social worker, and I can confidently say that my experiences was nothing short of exceptional. Dr. Huang’s expertise in various therapeutic practices is truly remarkable, and her ability to guide and teach these techniques has been invaluable to my professional development. From the outset, Dr. Huang fostered an environment of learning and support that encouraged open dialogue and critical thinking. Her extensive knowledge of therapeutic modalities, combined with her practical insights, allowed me to grasp complex concepts with ease. She always taylored her approach to my individual learning style, ensuring that I not only understood the theory behind each practice but also how to apply them effectively in real-world situations. Dr. Huang’s professionalism is unwavering. She consistently modeled the ethical standards and compassionate care that are essential in our field. Her feedback was constructive and insightful, helping me to refine my skills and build my confidence as a clinician. I appreciate her willingness to share her experiences and challenges, which humanized the supervisory relationship and made it clear that growth is a continuous journey. One of the aspects I found most impressive was her ability to integrate evidence-based practices with a personalized touch. Dr. Huang encouraged me to develop my own therapeutic style while ensuring that I adhered to the best practices. She provided numerous resources and recommended literature that deepened my understanding and sparked my passion for the field. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Amy Huang as a clinical supervisor to any associate social worker seeking guidance and mentorship. Her commitment to excellence, combined with her nurturing approach, makes her an outstanding leader in the field. I am grateful for the time I spent under her supervision and look forward to applying the skills and insights she imparted throughout my career. Thank you, Dr. Huang for being an inspiring mentor! “
Janet Lopez, ACSW:
“I am incredibly grateful to have Dr. Amy Huang as my ACSW supervisor. She has been an exceptional mentor, offering valuable feedback, guidance, and insight that has significantly contributed to my growth as a social worker. Her approach to supervision is both compassionate and professional, creating an open and supportive environment where I feel encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas and build confidence in my clinical skills. Dr. Amy Huang is always approachable, knowledgeable, and deeply invested in my success, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to learn from her. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a thoughtful, experienced and supportive supervisor.”
What Supervisees are saying Con’t:
Joan Bautista ACSW:
“I was introduced to Dr. Amy through a coworker who was actively being supervised by her. From our first contact, Dr. Amy made the whole ASW process so easy. She provided me with feedback, directions and support for all of the required contracts and letters to begin our supervision journey. I entered this relationship with very little therapeutic exposure or experience and I was very intimidated and nervous. However, Dr. Amy’s teaching style and approach eased my apprehension and uncertainty. She creates a safe and enriching environment for learning and discussion. She utilizes a variety of learning styles to teach/expose you to a plethora of therapeutic modalities. This aided me in absorbing a lot of information. Throughout my supervision experience, Dr. Amy would occasionally pair me with another supervisee. This experience alone provided alternative points of views and opinions for discussion and considersation. Dr. Amy also provided individual supervision opportunities as well. Looking back at my experience, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Amy.”
Huong Butel, LCSW:
“I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Amy Huang, who was my clinical supervisor when I was accruing my hours towards my LCSW. After interviewing a few clinical supervisors, I knew Dr. Huang would be the best fit for me as her authenticity and extensive knowledge stood out from the rest. She is an incredibly dynamic clinician who made me feel supported in my joruney towards licensure. Her weekly supervising sessions were full of invaluable education and clinical application that unfortunately, I did not feel was adequately taught in graduate school. She is very well versed about the licensing process and even helped me for the Law and Ethics and Licensing Exam. Because of her unwavering support, I am an LCSW today! For that, I will be forever grateful to her.”
Mayra Penaloza ACSW:
“I had the privilege of receiving clinical supervision from Dr. Huang as I worked towards my licensure. Under her guidance, I gained valuable insights and developed skills necessary to advance in my professional career. Dr. Amy was consistently supportive, offered constructive feedback, encouragement, and a wealth of knowledge that helped me grow both personally and professionally. Her approachable and compassionate nature made supervision a positive and enriching experience. I felt comfortable discussing challenges, knowing that she would provide thoughtful advice and practical solutions. Dr. Huang’s dedication to my development has been instrumental in my success, and I am incredibly appreciative of her ongoing support. I highly recommend Dr. Huang to anyone seeking clinical supervision or professional mentorship. She has been an invaluable resource, and I have already referred several colleagues to her with confidence.”
Kiana Crom ACSW:
“Dr. Huang did an amazing job supervising me while I was gaining my license. She was very professional and punctual. She communicated well and was very informed and up-to-date on her knowledge pertaining to the BBS and supervision requirements. Dr. Huang kept herself up-to-date on the newest therapeutic modalities and helped develop me to be the best therapist that I could be. I would recommend Dr. Huang to anyone who is learning to grow, learn, and develop their skills as a therapist. I will always be appreciative of her role in my development as a therapist.”
EMDR Consultations
As an approved EMDRIA EMDR consultant, I can provide consultations to help EMDR trained individuals to become EMDR certified and EMDR certified individuals to become EMDR consultants. I can also provide general EMDR consultations for EMDR practitioners who are looking for answers to difficult concepts. Please checkout my on EMDRIA: https://www.emdria.org/directory/people/amy-lee-huang/
EMDR Certification:
I am able to provide the 20 consultations required for people who are EMDR trained (from an EMDRIA approved program) to become EMDR certified. My specialties are in attachment-focused trauma, utilizing mythical parents, DETUR (for addiction), EMDR 2.0, flash technique, internal family systems (IFS) and parts work.
Consultations include case presentations and feedback toward mastery of the EMDR model and basic protocol. You will be prepared to utilize cognitive interweaves whenever appropriate, know the 8 phases of the standard protocol well, and may be able to incorporate parts work, IFT, DETUR, and attachment focused trauma to your practice.
Rationale to get EMDR Certified:
Enhance your EMDR skills
A step-stone to become and EMDR consultant-in-training
If you are using EMDR regularly in your practice, regular consultation is extremely important
More knowledgeable in skills
Ensure that you are doing EMDR correctly for your clients and according to EMDRIA’s standards.
Here are EMDRIA’s requirements to becoming EMDR certified:
Emdria.org/emdr-training/emdr-certification-2
EMDR Consultant-in-Training
I am able to provide the required 20 consultations to become an EMDR consultant. We can go into more advanced work with helping you teach your consultees how to make an EMDR treatment plan and utilizing the future template. We can also incorporate attachment-focused trauma, IFS, parts work, DETUR and practice providing constructive feedback to consulteees.
You will be skilled and highly prepared in running individual and group consultations. I can also provide ways to market and obtain new consultants.
Rationale to become an EMDR Consultant:
Develop other clinicians to become good EMDR consultants to mentor future generations of EMDR consultees
A step closer to becoming an EMDR trainer
Helps feeling more confident in your EMDR skills
Become an expert in EMDR therapy
Gain an additional form of income
Here are EMDRIA’s requirements to becoming an EMDR consultant:
Emdria.org/emdr-training/emdr-consultant-in-training/
Reviews from EMDR Consultees:
Darbey Carlson, Registered Psychotherapist:
“Dr. Amy is a passionate clinician who is very helpful as an EMDR consultant and educator. I have worked with her closely and found her guidance and expertise wonderful. Would recommend.”
Sarah Ryan, LCSW:
“I received individual and group EMDR consultation from Dr. Amy when I was working towards EMDR certification. I was impressed by Dr. Amy’s approach as a consultant as well has her knowledge of multiple EMDR protocols. I highly recommend Dr. Amy as a consultant!”
Maria Montes, LCSW:
“Dr. Amy has been pivotal in my development as an EMDR clinician. Her guidance and feedback continues to allow me to provide quality treatment to my clients.”
Kadriliis Speek, LCSW:
“Dr. Amy Huang, EMDR consultant has a depth of knowledge about EMDR’s theoretical and practical application. Dr. Huang kindly shared a variety of resources on trauma approaches like IFS and brainspotting. She is skilled addressing complex clinical issues while providing guidance that is both practical and grounded in theory. I appreciate how she balanced the needs of each participant, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share and receive feedback. Each session was well-organized allowing time for case consultation, clinical discussion and EMDR-specific challenges. The materials and resources provided were comprehensive, and I found the supplementary readings and tools to be very helpful in deepening my understand of EMDR. Dr. Huang was able to gently point out my areas of growth and guide me to overcome my specific challenges. I became EMDR certified thanks to Dr. Huang’s constructive feedback.”
Tristian Mitchell, LCSW:
“When it was time to find an EMDR consultant to guide me through my EMDR journey and certification process, I wanted someone who was strong clinically, understood the protocol well enough to approach it different ways, clinically creative, still active learner within the EMDR community, and someone who incorporated attachment and parts work into EMDR. There’s no hesitation when I say that Dr. Amy Huang has checked all of the boxes for me! She helped me to find opportunities for clinical creativity within the 8-phase protocol. She incorporated experiential opportunities for me to learn and practice the new skills we covered. She’d have me practice being a client as she demonstrated how to use whatever tool we were covering at the time…and then allowed me to practice what I’d learned on her. A lot of value there. She’s thorough, accommodating, supportive, and an overall great consultant. As a result of my work with Dr. Amy, my confidence in my EMDR skills have grown and I’m more willing to dive in and try new things with my clients. I highly recommend working with her!”
To be continued when I become a brainspotting Consultant-in-Training
Brainspotting Certification:
Deepening your knowledge
Grow confidence in your practice
Catching errors that we all make coming out of Phase 1 and 2
Yields ultimate results with clients.
Bibliography
Anderegg, J. (2015). Effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder: Journal for Psychotraumatology, Psychotherapy Science and Psychological Medicine 1-16.
Gottman, J. & Gottman, J. (2000-2016). Level 1 Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy.
Louise, M. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 239-246.
Mathjessen, S., Lee, C., de Roos, C., Barron, L, Ignacio, J., Elan, S., Hurley, E., Schubert, S., Baptist, J., Benedikt, L., Moreno-Acazar, A. Jonas, T., de Johngh, A. (2020). The current status of EMDR Therapy, Specific Target Areas, and. Goals for the Future. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research 14(4), 241-284.
Schwartz, R. (2021). No Bad Parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Sounds True: Boulder, Colorado.