Hope Therapy | Owner + Licensed Therapist | Spanish Fork | 34
Amanda Christenson is more than the owner of Hope Therapy — she’s the cheerleader of anyone who walks through her doors! Eight years ago, she had her own private practice and was happy there, when a previous boss asked her to go halfway with him in opening a second location of his therapy business. One year later, she took full ownership and started her own office: Hope Therapy. On top of this, she is also an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy supervisor and adjunct faculty at BYU. Amanda’s healing words have touched countless lives through each of her roles. Her ultimate dream? Make sure her therapists are happy and fulfilled, and for clients to get the best help possible. With locations in Spanish Fork and Orem, hope and healing is just around the corner.
MAIN MOTIVATION At the end of the year, we announce how many sessions were performed. It makes us all teary knowing that people trusted us with their vulnerability, pain and trauma — and that we did our part to help. I also get a lot of fulfillment out of mentoring and employing our therapists. SHARPER SKILLS I’ve learned that I can lead without needing to be the loudest one in the room, and lead by example and with love. I can set the boundaries and follow through with them while still deeply caring about the people I am interacting with. PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESS When I compare less and celebrate other people’s strengths, I feel happy that they are who they are and I value my own contribution. Therapy is so personal. If you don’t use yourself in the room, your clients don’t trust you. When I remind myself that I don’t need to be someone else, then I’m grounded and the best version of myself. COMBATING DOUBT Leaning into self-compassion, practicing intentional gratitude, sharing vulnerably with trusted others, and using creative outlets to deal with stress are my biggest sources of resilience. I laugh with my kids, do something fun, and problem-solve what I can control. PERSONAL GROWTH I started out as a therapist 12 years ago feeling very unsure of myself. I found my identity as a therapist after doing more of my own personal therapy work, and when I became the boss and supervisor, I was able to be assertive, supportive and creative with my vision of how I wanted the clients and the therapists to feel. My confidence still wavers at times, but I’ve grown in making decisions with clarity and having fun with the beauty of the work.