Jamie Amitrano, M.A.

Hi, I’m Jamie—a Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of The Amitrano Center for Relational Healing.

Experience:

Outpatient behavioral health services in private practice settings since Fall 2020; well-versed in teletherapy

  • Level II AEDP trained

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies: Public Service focus from Elmhurst University, 2016 | Elmhurst, IL

    • Minors: Sociology, Communication Studies, Intercultural Studies

  • Master of Arts in Marriage and Family from Wheaton College Graduate School, 2021 | Wheaton, IL

  • welcoming of all identities; here are some examples of folks I’ve worked with in the past:

    Adults 25+: psych field professionals, former “gifted kids” (high IQ), high capacity performers, emotionally underdeveloped, Adult Children (of Emotionally Immature Parents; of Alcoholics), the “family hero,” burnt out spouses and parents

    Couples: therapist/other psych professional couples, mutual trauma histories, neurodivergence, persistent mental health struggles, dual-income earners, newly married, dating, work travel, disillusionment

    Families: blended families, adult children relationships, coparenting, launching young adults, life stage transitions

    Other dyads+ (siblings, coparents, roommates, friendships, etc.)

    • Interpersonal (self and others): codependency, relational ambivalence, enmeshment, individuation and the establishment of self, dysfunctional cycles, intergenerational patterns, boundaries, explicit communication, emotional immaturity, dysfunctional family roles, stuck cycles, loss of intimacy, unresolved conflicts, unforgiven past hurt and resentments

    • Intrapersonal (self): unstable self-concept, dissociation, defenses, lack of emotional/affective identification and expression, incohesive self-history/narrative (lack of childhood memories), issues with reality (distortions, “feeling crazy”), nervous system activation and dysregulation (trauma responses), agency and self-advocacy, reconnecting to gut instincts, finding your “knowing”, negative view of self/low self-esteem

    • Anxiety: avoidant behavior (of people, intimacy, situations, specific stimuli), thought rumination, cognitive distortions, maladaptive coping mechanisms (process addictions, body focused repetitive behaviors, controlling others, escaping)

    • Mood: inconsistencies, unpredictability, mood swings, insufficient external stabilizers, manic episodes, depressive episodes

    • Neurodivergence: imbalance of cognitive strengths (as measured by neuro/psychological assessment, many high average but some notable deficiencies), stimming, sensory processing difficulties, social engagement difficulties, ADHD

    • Personality: Obsessive Compulsive , Histrionic, Dependent, Avoidant

    • Dissociative: depersonalization, parts and systems, derealization

    • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

    • Chronic Illness/Disabilit(ies)

    • Sex and Love Addiction

    • History of childhood neglect and relational trauma

    • Attachment wounds and unstable relationships

    • Level II AEDP therapist

    • Emphasis on the repairative abilities of the therapeutic dyad (client-therapist)

    • Staying with the “here-and-now” of what comes up in the moment during the therapeutic proccess through moment-to-moment tracking

    • Second-order change proponent and systems-thinker (focus on intra- and interpersonal processes, not content)

    • Somatically-focused, mindful of the mind-body-spirit connection

    • Bowen Family Systems Theory

    • Structural Family Therapy

    • Experiential- not talk therapy

    • Incorporating concepts, interventions, and frameworks from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Narrative Therapy

See what clients and colleagues have to say:

  • Jamie is honestly one of the most authentic and beautiful kind of listeners and mentor that one searches for in their lives. I’ve learned so much from Jamie and she’s always willing to listen and offer advice but she doesn’t push anything on anyone and that’s something I really appreciate about her. I would definitely recommend her because of how much she truly cares for others.

    - Ana H.

  • I would highly recommend Jamie! I have had the privilege to work with both Jamie and Niko, and have had amazing experiences with both of them! They show up professionally as their most authentic selves, they bring humor and fun into all of their interactions, and provide amazing support and guidance. I have experienced so much growth while seeing Jamie as my therapist, and she always makes me feel comfortable and safe to open up. You will feel truly cared for by both Jamie and Niko while working with them.

    - Emily L

  • Jamie is a great listener, and she understands how to develop a caring relationship. She has an enthusiastic attitude, and an engaging personality. I enjoy working with her!

    - Therapist colleague

  • Jamie is such a great therapist who will understand your pain and knows how to empathize with you. You will be fortunate to have her as your therapist!

    - Juhyun Lee, MFT

  • Jamie helped me become aware of certain areas in my life that I desperately needed help in but refused to acknowledge. She provided many different resources to help me with whatever I needed. She's amazing and has such a kind heart, could not recommend her more!

    - Evan J.

  • Jamie is an amazing woman, who is energetic, positive and fun-loving. She is an empathetic listener and forward thinker, when connecting with her friends and clients. She is very knowledgable about the process of family therapy, and can offer her expertise on helping families to become experts on their lives.

    - Sandy Rudd, ALMFT

  • Jamie is a great counselor! I have really appreciated her help during this semester. She is extremely caring and authentic. I could not recommend Jamie more!

    - Corwin G.

  • Jamie has an excellent work ethic and is a caring individual who is committed to helping people she comes in contact with. She is able to actively listen and provide feedback in a compassionate way that aids in feeling comfortable and safe around her.

    - Paige M.

  • Jamie is the realest :) Her ability to actively listen and engage others in conversation brings an ease and comfortability that encourages the transparency that leads to healing and increased self awareness. She will both empower and challenge you while helping guide you to believe the best in yourself and others. She loves out of a love that goes beyond herself and is quick to true compassion in any situation! The opportunity to walk with and learn from her has been a true blessing in me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally!

    - Courtney J.

  • Jamie’s lovely upbeat personality and compassionate character have always stood out to me, since they are characteristics that not everyone can genuinely harness. She is an analytical listener, and asks the right questions to the recipient so that she helps you break down and discover what it is that you are feeling, doing, and what it is that you wish to achieve. With ease, Jamie helps you feel not ashamed to ask for help but rather thankful.

    - Brii K.

  • Jamie is loving, caring, and extremely intelligent. She truly cares about people and knows how to befriend anyone. I highly recommend Jamie! Her bubbly personality transforms!

    - Joe A.

  • Jamie is bright, supportive and warm. She is so skilled at thoughtful, attentive listening. She won't do the work for you but knows how to uplift and inspire you to realize the ability YOU have to create healing and healthy relationships in your own life - including yourself!

    - Riley Gramza, LMFT

  • Jamie is a skilled therapist that naturally provides clients with both strong clinical skills as well as keen discernment. I was fortunate to have met and worked with her in private practice where we collaborated to provide our clients quality care.

    - Steven Howell, LCPC

  • Having previously worked with Jamie, I have personally experienced the dynamic therapeutic style that she brings as a therapist to the table! She truly engages her clients with an expertise in balancing passion and excitement with empathy and kindness.

    - Angie Yong, LPC

  • Jamie is an amazing therapist specializing helping couples with trauma histories or stuck in trauma cycles. She is an expert in AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), a highly effective model of life transformation. I have spent hours with Jamie and find her to be a wonderful human able to connect with others in their pain. Reach out! She will be a huge help!

    - Bill Carpenter, LCPC, LMFT

Ready to start? Fill out this inquiry form or reach out to Jamie below.

jamie@amitranopsych.com
(630) 797-9871

900 S. Shackleford Rd. Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72211