A few things worth talking about.

Not at all. Some people come to therapy with a very specific concern, and others just know that something in their life isn't feeling quite right.

We can start with what's happening now, talk about what brought you here, and figure out what feels important as we go.

You don't have to wait until things feel unmanageable.

If you're spending a lot of time second-guessing yourself, feeling stuck in the same patterns, struggling with your relationship with food or your body, or trying to navigate a change in your life, those are all things we can talk about.

Therapy doesn't have to be reserved for the hardest moments.

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, what's been going on in your life, and what you'd like support with.

I'll ask questions to better understand your experiences, and you'll have space to ask me questions, too.

You don't need to prepare a speech or have everything organized beforehand.

That's worth talking about, too.

Sometimes the relationship with a therapist doesn't feel like the right fit. Sometimes the approach isn't what you needed, or your needs have changed since then.

We can talk about what your previous experience was like, what worked, what didn't, and what you'd like to be different this time.

Yes. We can look at what happens when you're making decisions, why certain choices feel so difficult, and how much you're relying on other people's reactions to determine whether you've gotten something right.

Part of our work can be building more trust in your own judgment, even when you don't have complete certainty.

You don't have to give up being ambitious or caring about your work to address perfectionism.

We can explore the difference between having high standards and feeling like your worth depends on meeting them.

The goal isn't to stop caring. It's to have more flexibility in how you approach yourself and your expectations.

Absolutely.

We can talk about what makes saying no difficult, what you worry will happen when you disappoint someone, and how those patterns show up in your relationships.

Setting boundaries doesn't mean you have to stop being thoughtful or generous. It means making room for your own needs, too.

Guilt can show up when you start doing something differently, especially if you're used to being the person who accommodates everyone else.

We can explore where those expectations came from, what you're actually responsible for, and how to make choices that reflect your needs and values.

Yes. We can pay attention to how you talk to yourself, what happens when you make mistakes, and the expectations you carry into everyday situations.

Self-compassion isn't about pretending everything is fine or avoiding accountability. It's about learning to respond to yourself with more understanding instead of constant criticism.

No. You don't need a diagnosis for these concerns to deserve attention.

If food decisions feel stressful, you're frequently thinking about your appearance, or your relationship with your body is affecting how you move through your day, we can talk about it.

You don't have to wait until things feel unmanageable to explore what's happening.

Disordered eating describes eating-related behaviors and thought patterns that create distress or interfere with your relationship with food.

That can include restrictive rules, guilt around eating, cycles of overeating and restriction, or feeling preoccupied with food.

We can look at what's happening for you without assuming everyone's experience looks the same.

Absolutely.

You don't have to wake up every morning loving everything about your appearance. And you don't have to force yourself into feeling positively about your body all the time.

Our work can focus on how much influence body dissatisfaction has over your decisions, relationships, and everyday experiences. We can explore what it would look like to relate to your body with greater acceptance and compassion, even on the days when that feels difficult.

Food can become connected to stress, comfort, control, expectations, and the ways we cope with difficult experiences.

Sometimes these patterns develop gradually. Other times, they're connected to experiences, relationships, or beliefs we've carried for a long time.

We can explore those connections with curiosity rather than judgment, understand the patterns that have developed, and work toward a relationship with food that feels less distressing.

Those two experiences can absolutely exist together.

Health and well-being aren't defined by how your body looks. They involve your emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual well-being.

In therapy, we can explore the things that may be getting in the way of feeling well, including stress, self-criticism, difficult emotions, past experiences, and patterns in your relationships.

The goal isn't to change how your body looks. It's to help you build a more supportive relationship with yourself and make room for your overall well-being.

Of course.

Therapy can be a place to reflect on your life, understand yourself better, think through decisions, and explore what you want moving forward.

You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from having space for those conversations.

Yes. Changes in relationships, careers, family roles, and priorities can affect how you understand yourself and where you feel you belong.

We can talk about what has changed, what you're feeling about it, and what you want to carry with you into this next part of your life.

That's a perfectly reasonable place to begin.

Sometimes the things that made sense a few years ago don't feel quite right now. We can explore what matters to you today, what expectations you're carrying, and what choices feel aligned with the life you want.

You don't have to arrive with an answer.

Therapy won't make the decision for you, but it can give you space to think through it.

We can explore your priorities, fears, expectations, and the different possibilities you're considering, so you can approach the decision with a better understanding of what matters to you.

That's something we can spend time exploring.

When so much of your life revolves around being a partner, professional, parent, caregiver, or the person everyone relies on, it can be difficult to know what you want for yourself.

We can make room for that part of the conversation, too.

Yes! Amanda Stutz Counseling is a fully virtual practice providing individual therapy for adult women throughout Missouri, including St. Louis and surrounding communities.

Sessions take place online, so you can attend from a private space anywhere in Missouri.

Individual therapy sessions are $150 per session.

I'm currently completing credentialing with several insurance plans. You're welcome to reach out for the most current information about your specific plan.

You can reach out through the contact page or schedule a free consultation.

We'll talk about what you're looking for, answer any questions you have, and discuss whether working together feels like a good fit.