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Supporting you in finding healing and liberation in your life, and reducing oppressive actions towards yourself and others, 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 had been working at the intersection of the arts and community, and teaching yoga and meditation.
As a mixed race white (Western European and 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 help with people who seek support around trauma, traumatic loss, anger, shame, grief, anxiety, and relational challenges. With this approach I will support you to deepen your own self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience, and the capacity to develop 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
Compassionate Bereavement Care with the Miss Foundation, Spring 2024
Right Use of Power Basics with Cedar Barstow, Winter 2024
Uncovering Racial Trauma with Ken Hardy, Fall 2022
Natural Processing Somatic-Based Process-Oriented Therapy for EMDR with Craig Penner, Spring 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 and Group Facilitator for Soulful Life with Francis Weller
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