Amy Clay, LPC

I am a co-owner of Sunstone Counseling and have been in private practice for over 20 years. I am very committed to providing our local community with quality counseling services. I dedicate much of my time to training other counseling professionals and serve as a clinical supervisor to several of Sunstone’s residents in counseling.

In my clinical practice, I help clients overcome a variety of concerns related to the symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, grief/loss, suicidal ideation, shame, low self-esteem, body image, betrayal, and relationship issues. I specialize in women’s issues (pregnancy, perinatal mood disorders, becoming a new mom, and sexuality issues) and couples work (premarital counseling, new parents, low/no sex, repair after an affair, and second marriages – to name a few). I am currently completing Brené Brown’s Daring Way™ training and am a Certified Daring Way Facilitator Clinician-Candidate.

My real passion is helping couples. I am a trained IMAGO therapist and integrate many other couples approaches in my work. I am continuing Gottman’s training and offer an on-line assessment tool to help couples get feedback based on his research. I am also working on my Certification by AASECT as a sex therapist. I recommend a 90-minute session for couples but also offer four-hour “intensives” (with a break) for couples that would like to dedicate more concentrated time and energy to their relationship, or for those that feel stuck in “traditional” weekly couples counseling. In 2020, I will be offering Daring Couples™ weekend workshops.

I draw upon many counseling theories in my work with clients. I think it’s important to meet clients where they are and to help them stretch just outside their comfort zone towards growth. I value the therapeutic relationship and hope to foster a sense of security, acceptance, and respect. I approach therapy through the lens of the Polyvagal Theory, recognizing that the autonomic nervous system is at the heart of daily living, powerfully shaping how we all respond to our daily lives and influencing our capacity for connection. Together we will explore your overall wellness, which may include aspects of your social, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, environmental, occupational, financial, and intellectual life. I believe that all the clients know what they need to do to live a healthy, productive, and satisfying life.

With the help of Internal Family Systems (IFS), I help clients draw out their strengths and identify parts of themselves that interfere with the life they want to live. Mindfulness has been an integral addition to my practice over the last few years to help clients.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Marymount University
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from George Mason University
• VA Board of Counseling Approved Clinical Supervisor
• Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), Northern Virginia Licensed Professional Counselors (NVLPC), American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and Mid Atlantic Imago Therapists (MAIT)

CREDENTIALS:

Licensed Professional Counselor

PRELICENSE:

VA 0701003978