Amanda Trost, LPC

NOW SCHEDULING, in person or virtual appointments. Are you feeling as if it’s difficult to enjoy life to the fullest? Perhaps it’s hard to relax and have fun, or the pressures of work or school leave little room for anything else. You may have realized the expectations you set for yourself are unrealistic, that you compare your negatives with others’ positives and over commit or overwhelm yourself, leading to burnout.

You might have difficulty making decisions, or have a hard time figuring out the ‘rules’ of life. Drawing boundaries, especially when doing so feels scary, might be a challenge, leading you to give into people that guilt or intimidate you. Perhaps you place the needs of others before your own, and are left feeling resentful when your own aren’t met, or perhaps you take out frustration on the ones you love. You are not alone.

My passion is helping clients as they work to better understand themselves, their personal and family histories, and the world around them. I work with adults and adolescents to reduce and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, process grief and trauma, improve relationships, and change behavioral patterns such as procrastination or perfectionism. I am a believer in therapy to alleviate distress but also as a regular part of wellness and recognize the importance the connection between our minds and bodies.

I understand the dynamics that affect adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families and survivors of child abuse and neglect. I enjoy working with adults from such backgrounds as they take a look back, build a more complete picture of their life story, and often find solace in knowing that they aren’t alone.

My first career was in public-school education. I have witnessed the stress that our kids are often under just trying to stay afloat. I am well equipped to assist students and their families as they overcome both personal and education-related challenges. Working as a motivational speaker and speech and debate coach has allowed me to follow a passion for helping others find their voice. I have experience in coaching teens and adults to use words and ideas to change themselves and the world around them. Additionally, I have an interest in counseling teachers and enjoy helping them navigate the unique emotional identity that comes with being an educator but also enjoy working with those from all walks of life to navigate a deeper understanding of self. In 2020 I received a Master’s in Education in Counseling from the University of Houston. I have been seeing clients in private practice since 2019.

All political, cultural, and religious viewpoints are welcome in my office.

About Zen
Zen, our office therapy cat, is available by request. His presence often helps clients feel more comfortable, especially when discussing emotional or difficult content. Animal assisted therapy has been proven to reduce blood pressure, improve motivation, and positively impact the overall success of therapy.