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We all have an innate orientation towards healing and feeling comfortable in our own skin when we are given the proper environment. Co-creating that environment with you to experience that in your life and in your relationships is what I love most about my job. I received my education in counseling psychology from The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, with a specialization in creative expression. Leading up to that time, I worked as a yoga and meditation teacher, and at the intersection of the arts and community organizing.

As a biracial white (Western European and Ashkenazi Jewish) and second-generation Korean American from a blended family, my loved ones represent a handful of races, cultures, spiritual beliefs, gender and sexual orientations, political leanings, and native tongues. I honor the unique impact that these identities have upon one’s life story. It is my intention to provide a safe space for those of all intersectionality of identities to feel seen, welcomed, and accepted.

I see our individual selves as deeply interwoven into our larger historical and cultural ecosystems. Holding this awareness to light can help validate the feelings, experiences, and coping mechanisms you carry as part of survival.

My Orientation

I am eclectic in nature and have experience in numerous modalities in my fifteen years in the field of mental health. With that said, over the past several years I have found somatic-based EMDR to be one of the most effective and respectful approaches to heal some of the most painful of life’s challenges: trauma, traumatic loss, anger, rage, shame, grief, anxiety, and relational challenges. With this approach I will support you to deepen your own self-awareness, self-compassion, resilience, and the courage necessary to show up in the world more fully and unapologetically yourself, with authenticity and integrity in all facets of your life.  

Education 

Natural Processing Somatic-Based Process-Oriented Therapy Level 2 w/Craig Penner, Winter 2026

Compassionate Bereavement Care with the Miss Foundation, Spring 2024

1:1 Mentorship for eight years with Francis Weller 

Right Use of Power Basics with Cedar Barstow, Winter 2024

Uncovering Racial Trauma with Ken Hardy, Fall 2022

Consultation Group with Ken Hardy, 2021

Natural Processing Somatic-Based Process-Oriented Therapy Level 1 w/Craig Penner, Fall 2022

Decolonizing Therapy for Black Folk with Shawna Murray-Browne, Fall 2021

Exploring Our Inner Communities with Bonnie Badenoch, Winter 2019

EMDR Levels 1, 2, and 3, San Francisco, CA, 2018

Somatic Attachment Training with Karen Rachels, Oakland, CA, 2018

Hakomi Professional Skills, Berkeley, CA, 2017

From Trauma to Dharma: A Hakomi Mindfulness-Based Trauma Therapy Training with Manuela Mischke-Reeds, Berkeley, CA, 2016

The Couple’s Institute Training: Level One, The Developmental Model with Ellyn Bader, Palo Alto, CA, 2015

Cross-Cultural Facilitation Skills for Diversity Trainers with Lee Mun Wah, Berkeley, CA, 2014

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program with Bob Stahl, Palo Alto, CA

Registered Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance, School of Santhi, Kerala, India

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology,  Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Certificate in Creative Expression, Palo Alto, CA

Bachelor of Arts, Boston University, Boston, MA

Past Work Experience

Moderator, Advisory Board Member & Group Facilitator for Soulful Life with Francis Weller

Presenter for Daylong Workshop, CAMFT Monterey Chapter, Winter 2024

Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher & Workshop Leader at Salesforce, 2017 – 2020

Grief Processing Facilitator & Workshop Leader for Conard House Nonprofit, San Francisco, CA

Grief Ritual Leader for Lava Mae Nonprofit, San Francisco, CA

Grief Workshop Facilitator for Reimagine End of Life Week, San Francisco, CA

Workshop Presenter at International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, Berkeley, CA

Process Group Leader at Outpatient Eating Disorder Center, San Francisco, CA

Workshop Co-Leader for Embodying Tools for Stress Reduction at Yoga Tree, San Francisco, CA

Head Start Bilingual Clinician for Preschool Children, Richmond, CA

Contributing Writer for the International Journal of Yoga Therapy

Professional Affiliations

Therapists of Color Bay Area

Climate Psychology Alliance

EMDRIA

CAMFT

Contact

I offer both virtual and in-person sessions. My office is in the Inner Richmond, SF, 94118

To schedule an appointment please email  amyhyunswart@gmail.com  or call my confidential VM at (650) 762-9220