Meet The ESW Community Clinic Therapists
The ESW Community Clinic offers comprehensive therapy services provided by graduate-level clinical trainees under the supervision of ESW clinicians.
Amanda Iverson, Clinical Intern (she/her)
I’m Amanda Iverson and I am a clinical intern working under the direct supervision of Emily Gordon MSW, MEd, LCSW, CST. I am currently completing my final year as a Master’s candidate in Couple and Family Counseling at Northeastern Illinois University.
I believe that sex is a unique experience that involves the mind, body, communication, pleasure, playfulness, and vulnerability. Embracing our sexuality can heal and enhance self-esteem, body image, intimacy, and the mind-body connection.
Amanda Iverson is a couples therapist working specifically in the relational dynamic. Her approach to therapy is client-centered, trauma-informed, and feminist-oriented, drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method, and The Crucible Method. Amanda completed her RYT 200 at the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, which influences her work by integrating somatic and mindfulness-based interventions into therapy. As a relational therapist, Amanda sees her clients as part of a larger system. She often helps couples reflect on early bonds with caregivers to gain insight into their current relationship. Amanda strongly believes that holding on to the authentic self is essential for meaningful connection. Amanda acknowledges that some sex education and media may erase certain identities, complicating gender and sex navigation. Amanda strives to create a safe space for couples to explore gender, sexuality and other sensitive topics.
Amanda works collaboratively with couples to meet their desired goals, offering structure to ease anxiety about therapy. Amanda provides gender affirming care and is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community. Her clinical interests include supporting couples through communication challenges, desire discrepancies, infidelity recovery, increasing emotional intimacy, navigating consensual non-monogamy or polyamory, and orgasm and sexual performance difficulties.
Before providing clinical care at ESW, Amanda spent years volunteering at an urban goat farm in the west side of Chicago. At the farm, she improved on her problem solving skills, work ethic, and generally learned to enjoy the simple things in life. She also operates her own small business on the Northside of Chicago. Amanda considers herself an avid DIYer and a lifelong learner.
CLINICAL AREAS OF FOCUS: DESIRE DISCREPANCIES, INFIDELITY RECOVERY, RELATIONSHIP DISTRESS, INCREASING EMOTIONAL INTIMACY, LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING CARE.
