Amanda Brooks MSW, LCSW, MATS

About Me

I’m Amanda (she/her/hers or anything respectful), and I am a licensed clinical social worker providing quality mental health care in Indianapolis, IN. I utilize evidence-based therapy models to address various challenges across the lifespan.

I am straightforward, to the point, and ready to support your wellness journey: If you’re ready to put in the work. I personally hate change, but I’m here for it. You can’t grow into your best self if you keep doing the things you have always done.

I use humor and sass to create an environment that allows for an easy flow of conversation. I keep it real and I want my clients to do the same. I believe every person has a unique pathway to their end goal and I love helping folks get creative on their journey. I am passionate about healing, self-love, growth and establishing a balanced and healthy overall wellbeing - whatever that means for you.

Personal Background

I enjoy plants, crystals, thrift stores, and nature. I am a foodie at heart. I love audio books, spooky tings and anything in the psych thriller genre. I have an affinity for bones and oddities. True Crime is a must. Dark, morbid, twisted horror books - I read that. Baking, gardening, and days in the sunshine all sound like lovely ways to spend my time. I have an eclectic taste in music and enjoy seeing live shows. I grew up in a small, rural community before I moved to Indianapolis. I am a country human at heart but love the city and truly enjoy taking up space in the Midwest. I count being of mixed race/heritage as one of my greatest privileges in life; I am unapologetically mixed, melanated, witchy, and empowered. As an out & proud Ace-identifying person, I love engaging and supporting others who are exploring this spectrum and the complexities it brings to a sex-obsessed culture. I love animals in all shapes and sizes, which is the main reason I love working with folks hoping to obtain their ESA documentation to ensure their Fur-Babies can stay close.

Values & Ethics

Although spiritual, I do not offer faith-based counseling and work from a secular model. I am Queer identifying, LGBTQAI+ welcoming, body positive, and as a minority myself; racial justice allied and empowered. I support all avenues to recovery, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. In regard to professional values, I adhere strictly to professional values set forth by the National Association of Social Workers in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Professional Background

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Indiana. Lic #:34008627A

I graduated from Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) in 2008 with my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Minor In Sociology, followed by my Master of Social Work degree in 2016. I am currently working towards my certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership.

I enjoy working with clients from all walks of life and take pride in my ability to meet people where they are. I have always and will always be an advocate for our community’s most vulnerable folks. I have experience in both individual and group therapy settings as well as outpatient, integrated care, residential, school-based and homebased services. I love facilitating Art Therapy Groups. I am thorough and precise with my work (much of my background is in assessment and diagnostics). One of the best parts of my job is getting to the nitty gritty of the problem and coming up with a solid treatment plan to help folks reach their goals. My full-time position is in a local hospital, where I oversee behavioral health grant funding. I spent the first few years of my social work career working street outreach, engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and ensuring they had a safe space to process the complex emotions that come their situation. In addition to homeless services, I have provided compassionate care to those struggling with addiction and substance use disorders, women working through the complex systems of DCS and family dysfunction, young people struggling with adulting, and clients with disabilities. I work hard to ensure clients are seen as unique humans who are worthy of care. I am most familiar with Addictions/Polysubstance Abuse, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Trauma, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, and dual diagnoses. I am knowledgeable in the areas of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). I earned my CRAFT Facilitator Certification in 2023 and am always working to increase my knowledge of current Evidenced Based Practices.