Amanda Brandon
MS, LPC
Amanda Brandon, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 14 years of experience, comes from a farming background in Northwest Oklahoma. She earned her BA from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2001 and her MS in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2009, following four years of service in the Air Force. Since 2011, Amanda has held counseling licenses in Washington State, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, cultivating her expertise across diverse settings including community mental health, Family Preservation Services, Intensive In-Home Therapy, Employee Assistance Services, and private practice.
In her professional journey, Amanda noticed the limitations of traditional talk therapy in addressing the root causes of trauma and associated physical symptoms in her clients. Seeking to enhance her therapeutic approach, she pursued specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in 2014, focusing on trauma and PTSD treatment within her private practice. Drawing from her experience as a United States Air Force veteran, Amanda dedicated much of her early career to serving the unique needs of military personnel, veterans, their families, and first responders.
Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in April 2020, Amanda assumed the role of Lead Mental Health Therapist at a field hospital in New York City. Here, she provided crucial mental health services to volunteer healthcare workers, ensuring their well-being while also caring for recovering patients. This experience sparked Amanda's deep interest in trauma, resilience, and the profound impact of early trauma on individuals' nervous systems and overall well-being.
Throughout her career, Amanda has focused on trauma treatment, promoting self-love, and supporting individuals in overcoming codependency. She has conducted CLEET trainings on trauma and self-care for first responders and delivers guest lectures at Oklahoma Christian University. Outside of work, she is a mother to a recent high school graduate, finds solace and joy in outdoor activities with her German Shepherd, tending her pollinator garden, and pursuing creative hobbies like pottery and watercolor painting.
“I love the work I get to do here at Green Shoe. I am continuously in awe of the resilience of those who walk through these doors and their desire to connect with their true authentic selves by letting go of what they are not and finding who they truly are. Pia Mellody's book/work was life-changing for me personally and the trickle effect of that is the work I get to do here. Witnessing individuals heal from their childhood relational trauma and change their lives is a beautiful process that not only brings health and wellness to that person, but also to those around them, from home to the communities at large. I am honored to be a part of the change we need to see in this world. “
~ Amanda Brandon