Education
I have a BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I completed two years of a doctorate program in Sociology at Indiana University in Bloomington before deciding that I wanted to take a different direction in my career.
My perspective lent itself more to the holistic approach that social work embraces. It allows me to take into account all aspects of the individual from the familial, social, biological, experiential, and cultural. In 1988, I earned my Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from Indiana University in Bloomington. Scroll down to learn more about Amy L Kopel, LCSW-C.
Experience
Since 1988, I have been working with a varied population and in a range of settings. I have worked in family homes, group homes, psychiatric hospitals, day hospital programs for adolescents, and a community mental health and counseling center in Baltimore.
In addition to my private practice, I worked for nine years at the Baltimore County Circuit Court, Family Support Services, conducting Child Access Evaluations when the court ordered them in high conflict cases. I have had the opportunity to work with individuals of all ages, using the present and past as a guide to uncover personal strengths.
My Approach to Counseling
In my practice, I offer a safe and caring atmosphere where the client and I work collaboratively to gain insight and understanding to foster individual change. I remain attentive to your concerns and use an eclectic approach to counseling, tailoring the treatment style or modality to suit your needs. My approach has been defined as more active and engaging than some – I believe in building a rapport that allows the client to feel they can speak freely, feel heard, and come to believe someone understands.
Counseling is an active process, and I believe in bringing to light the internal messages that are in our heads. It helps you to understand how you emotionally respond to them, so you can decide if you want to listen or change the recording to one that is kinder, gentler and altogether nicer.