Amanda Pouncy-Ross, MPH, MSSW, LCSW
I’m a social worker, therapist, and health educator with a quirky sense of humor, and a love for funky earrings. If Ms. Frizzle, Daria, and Tracee Ellis Ross had a baby that baby is me. I’m a big fan of existential questions like, “who am I, and what does all of this mean?”, so if you’re trying to figure those things out you’re in the right place!
When you think about therapy with me, imagine your favorite things about yourself, your life, and culture are in the room with us. Many of the things you may not like about yourself or your life may also be invited to the party—and that’s totally okay and normal! Maybe those things aren’t always comfy or fun for you, but we will work together to find healing and acceptance, and figure out what you want to keep or let go of, what you might like to learn, and how you’ll do it.
I approach therapy as a space to figure out who you are, embrace you as your full self, and ask questions about what life means, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. I will remain curious and creative, and together we will figure out what therapeutic tools work best for you. I may integrate guided imagery, movement, breathwork, mindfulness, creative arts, music, games, and other activities that may be more abstract than typical talk therapy.
I’m my best self when I’m: laughing, cooking, doing yoga, imagining and creating art, exploring nature, or reading one of the 3 or 4 books I keep in my currently reading pile. I bring my entire self—all of the messy, goofy, nerdy pieces—and I want you to know that when you are in therapy with me you get to be your whole self too. It is my honor to ensure that the relationship we create is supportive, challenging, and welcoming to vulnerability and honesty. No matter the day, the occasion, or the need, I strive to create a trauma-responsive liberation space where you feel like you are coming home to yourself and leaving shame behind.
Style
Eclectic
I pull from various theories including: psychodynamic, attachment, queer, liberation health, and systems theory. I enjoy using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Internal Family Systems (or Parts Work), Ecotherapy, Expressive Art Therapy, and Existential Therapy among many others.
Compassionate
I know what it feels like to work incredibly hard to show up as your truest self, and I want every moment that we spend together to feel intentionally thought out, and soft yet direct. When you enter into each session, I hope you feel warmth, care, and patience because that is what you always deserve.
Empowering
My goal every time that we end a session is for you to walk away feeling more able to face the world head on and show up fully as yourself. I want to empower you to walk the path that calls to you with passion, fire, and maybe even a little fear. Do it scared and keep doing it.
License, Education & Training
License
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Issued in Texas by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
Degrees
Master of Science in Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 2020
Master of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 2020
Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences, University of Alabama, 2014
Trainings
Internal Family Systems Level 1, Internal Family Systems Institute, Expected Fall 2025
Oregon Health Authority Psilocybin Facilitator Training Practicum, Cora Center, 2025
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Certificate, Memoru Center for Visionary Healing Arts (formerly Naropa University Center for Psychedelic Studies), 2024
Psychedelic Liberation Training, Charlotte James & Sara Reed, MS, LMFT, 2024
EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training, Institute for Creative Mindfulness, Lisa Hayes, LICSW-S, 2023
Ample + Rooted Foundations: Eating Disorder
Training Program, Neathery Falchuk, LCSW-S, CGP, 2021
Special Interests
Professional
Abolitionist healing practices
Harm reduction
Psychedelic assisted therapy
Nature & art as healers
Ancestral healing & connection
Unions, cooperatives, coalitions & community initiatives
Reclaiming cultural rituals & practices
Generative conflict & repair rituals
Non-traditional & radical approaches to relationships
Relational therapy
Collaborative & creative problem solving
Personal
Birds
Any animals, really
Edible plants & herbs
Rainbows, jewel tones, and all the glitter, shimmer, chrome, and holographic goodness my eyes can handle
Painting, molding, composing, making, and doing things with my hands
Reading books, especially those written about and by QTBIPOC, about animals, science, art, mysteries, and weird stuff that gives me something to talk about at dinner
Squishy, fluffy, fuzzy and feathery things
Learning about anything and everything I can get my hands on