By: Amanda LoVerde
Things I Was Told Not to Do in Therapy…And Why I Do Them Anyway
When I was in graduate school, I was taught many things about how to “be” a therapist.
Don’t disclose too much about yourself.
Don’t blur boundaries.
Don’t admit when you don’t know something.
Don’t make it about you.
Stay neutral. Stay contained. Stay the expert.
And for a long time, I tried to follow those rules. I wanted to do it “right.” I wanted to be competent, ethical, and effective.
But somewhere along the way, after years of sitting with people in their most vulnerable moments, I realized something:
The more human I allowed myself to be, the more effective I became.
Moving Away from “The Expert” Role
I don’t see myself as the expert in the room.
You are.
You are the expert on your life, your experiences, your pain, your patterns, and your resilience. What I bring is training, perspective, and a different lens, but not authority over your experience.
Therapy, at its best, isn’t something done to you. It’s something we do together.
I think of my role less as someone who fixes and more as someone who walks alongside, helping you notice things, make connections, and access strengths that may already be there but are hard to see.
The Power of Authenticity
Over time, I’ve learned that rigidly doing therapy by the book can sometimes create distance instead of connection.
So yes, sometimes I:
Admit when I’m wrong
Acknowledge when I’ve misunderstood something
Share pieces of myself when it’s helpful and intentional
Let you see me as a real person, not just a role
Not because the session is about me, but because therapy is about relationship. And relationships require authenticity.
When I can show up as a human being, not just a clinician, it gives you permission to do the same.
Why This Matters
Many people come into therapy carrying shame, self-doubt, or the belief that something about them is too much or not enough.
A sterile, overly clinical space can unintentionally reinforce that.
But a space where:
You are met with honesty
You are allowed to be imperfect
You are not judged for your humanity
That’s where real work can happen.
Strengths Over Fixing
I don’t believe you are broken.
I believe you’ve adapted.
Sometimes those adaptations no longer serve you, and part of our work is refining, reshaping, or letting go of them. But underneath it all, there are strengths, often ones you may not even recognize yet.
What I find most inspiring in this work is watching people reconnect with those strengths and begin to trust themselves again.
A Different Way of Thinking About Therapy
There’s an idea often attributed to Irvin Yalom that has always resonated with me: in therapy, we are not meant to be towering structures guiding from a distance, but rather a steady presence alongside the person in front of us.
That’s how I approach this work.
Not as a lighthouse directing you from afar.
But as a companion, present, engaged, and walking with you through whatever you’re facing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering therapy, know this:
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need to present yourself a certain way.
You don’t need to be ready in some perfect sense.
You just need to show up.
And when you do, I’ll meet you there, not as an expert above you, but as a human being beside you.
April 2026 Newsletter Edition
Dear Mindful Transformations Community,
There is something powerful about this time of year. The sun nourishes, the earth begins to bloom again, and we’re invited to do the same. Healing can look like small shifts, stepping outside, taking a deeper breath, or allowing yourself to begin again without pressure.
As we step into this new season, we’re excited to share what’s unfolding at Mindful Transformations.
Welcoming New Clinicians to Mindful Transformations
With growth comes expansion, and we are so grateful to be welcoming three new clinicians to our practice. Each brings a unique approach, deep compassion, and a commitment to creating a space where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered.
Kara Harte, LMFT
Kara works with adolescents, young adults, and couples, offering a warm and collaborative approach rooted in connection and understanding. She supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and identity development.
Focus Areas:
Adolescents & Young Adults • Couples & Relationships • Anxiety & Depression • Self-Esteem & Identity
Mary Kate Urban, LPC-A
Mary Kate creates a supportive, engaging space for children, adolescents, and adults, with a strong focus on child and family work. She brings creativity and flexibility into therapy, meeting each client at their developmental level and personal comfort.
Focus Areas:
Child & Family Therapy • Play-Based & Creative Work • ADHD & Emotional Regulation • Individualized Care
Amanda LoVerde, LPC
Amanda brings over 15 years of experience supporting adults through anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, and substance use. She offers a grounded, compassionate space where clients can safely explore both challenges and deeper patterns.
Focus Areas:
Trauma & Healing • Emotional Regulation • Substance Use & Recovery • Life Transitions & Identity
Mindful Spring Events
Spring is a season of renewal, clarity, and intentional growth. Our Mindful Spring Events are thoughtfully designed to support women in slowing down, reconnecting, and aligning with the natural rhythm of the season.
Whether you’re seeking community, energetic support, or a deeper connection to yourself, these gatherings invite you to come exactly as you are.
Women’s Full Moon Circle — May “Flower Moon”
- Tuesday, May 1st | 7:00 PM
- Investment: Donation-Based
- Spots Limited
Pause, reflect, and recalibrate with grounding practices and intentional release to support emotional balance and alignment.
Compassion In Motion — April
- Guest Facilitator: Arielle Solomon
- Saturday, April 11th | 12:00pm
- Investment: $33
- In Person
This gentle, educational workshop introduces self-compassion as a practical skill for individuals who experience emotional challenges. Participants will learn what self-compassion is, how it differs from self-criticism or avoidance, and why it can be supportive when emotions feel overwhelming. The class includes brief psychoeducation, guided reflection questions, and gentle, accessible movement designed to support nervous system regulation and body awareness.
Register for Compassion In Motion
Reiki Level I: Your Foundational Path to Energy Healing
- Sunday, April 26th | 9:00 AM-1:00pm
- Investment: $222
- In Person
Begin your journey with your Reiki Level I attunement, opening you to the flow of Universal Life Force energy. You’ll learn the basics of energy work, explore the Law of Attraction, and build a deeper understanding of how energy shapes your experience.
Introduction to Mandalas & Mindfulness
- Guest Facilitator: Amy Crose from Mandala Minds and Wellness LLC
- Wednesday, May 27th | 6:00–8:00 PM
- Investment: $60
- In Person | Limited Spots | Materials Included
Step into a calming, creative space where art and mindfulness meet. In this beginner-friendly dot-painting class, you’ll explore mandalas as a tool for self-expression, balance, and meditation.
You’ll learn simple techniques, connect with the present moment, and create your own unique piece—no experience needed.
Girls’ Night In: Spring Edition
- Friday, May 15th | 7:00 PM
- Investment: Donation-Based
- Spots Limited
A creative and nourishing evening to reset your energy. Create your own sage bundle, receive a Reiki-infused activation, and align your intentions with the energy of spring. Embrace being surrounded by feminine energy that helps us heal and renew!
Breathing for Calm: Breathwork for Reconnection and Emotional Regulation
- Guest Facilitator: Sydona Tregoning From Vitality Coaching LLC
- Saturday, May 30th | 10:00am
- Investment: Donation-Based $33, $44, $55
- In Person
This 90 minute workshop is a trauma-informed, guided experience where you’ll learn how to recognize different nervous system states, understand how your breath reflects those states, and explore a variety of breathing patterns to help unwind the imprints of trauma. We’ll combine education that will leave you feeling empowered about how your body works, along with an experiential breathing practice and guided reflection.
Energy Work & Intuitive Offerings with Christa
As part of our spring season of renewal, we’re excited to offer supportive, energy-based services to help you reconnect, realign, and move forward with intention.
Christa Roberts, our in-house Energy Worker, offers Reiki sessions, Reiki certification classes, Human Design readings, and Tarot readings—each designed to support clarity, healing, and deeper self-understanding.
💫 To gently support your journey, new clients receive 20% off (cannot be used on bundles/classes):
- Reiki Sessions → use code REIKI20
- Human Design Readings → use code HUMANDESIGN20
As the sunlight lingers a little longer each day, we hope you find moments to receive it. Let it warm what feels heavy, soften what feels tense, and gently remind you that growth is already happening—even in the smallest ways.
This season isn’t about becoming someone new, but about returning to yourself—with a little more light.
){kind=link}