7545 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200 Irvine, California 92618
What people are saying about Amanda
"My lifelong friend Amanda McDaniel is a Marriage and Family Therapist at Therapy in Faith. I've known Amanda to always be kind, compassionate, ethical, and genuinely concerned about the welfare and care of others. She believes in what Therapy in Faith tries to accomplish by strengthening and building up lives, while meeting her client right where he/she is in life's unexpected struggles. Amanda's own challenging life experiences make her an authentic and empathic soul. Plus, her southern charm is an addition to the exemplary work she strives to champion." by Angela E.
"Amanda is one who not only possess the skill set and heart for people, but she embodies the true meaning of a therapist through empathy, sincerity, authenticity, being completely present with her clients, meeting people exactly where they are, and walking alongside her clients allowing them to be the driver of their experience. If one is looking for a therapist that is quite personable and provides complete care, Amanda is the one! I have known her for years as a colleague and have watched her from the very beginning. Amazing gift she is and has!" by Joshua L.
"In thinking about my dear friend Amanda, when I first met her as a co-worker 10 1/2 years ago I thought... Goldie Hawn. Behind those big blue eyes and blonde hair is a highly intelligent, analytical, soulful woman, very down to earth - as is Goldie Hawn when off the screen.
Amanda is compassionate, sweet and kind --but don't mistake that for weakness. She is an unusually strong woman. Over the years I've witnessed the tremendous amount of fortitude she possesses facing and overcoming challenges which I believe could only be accomplished because of her deep faith and trust in God. The courage and perseverance she's demonstrated have been empowering and inspirational. And when we have our talks it renews my spirit, and reinforces and strengthens my own faith and connection with God.
The experiences she has walked through I believe have increased her insight into people, deepened her ability to empathize and be understanding of why people do what they do and enabled her to learn and therefore be better able to help others facing their own Mount Everests.
Amanda is also distinctly authentic, openly honest, has the courage to speak her truth, stand up for what she believes in and for what is fair and just, no matter the consequences, because God is her net.
Something that always struck me about her is her gift with communication. She possesses excellent social skills and graces that give her the ability to speak her mind and, if need be, be boldly assertive in a way that is gentle and able to be received and heard by others. At the same time she's a uniquely excellent listener - she gives her full attention and remains very aware and sensitive to the other person. She genuinely cares to understand completely and in totality what's on your mind, heart and soul. Amanda truly cares to make an effort to stand in your shoes and see things from your and other's perspectives. Also, she's very conscientious with being respectful and thoughtful when expressing her thoughts to you and making sure she's expressed herself clearly.
On another note, she's a great problem solver. Being very creative I think adds to her ability to find solutions to problems. Having a knack for organization and being self-disciplined, she sets her goals and actively takes the steps necessary to meet them-- which has been admirable to see. Just one example - I've never seen anyone who has moved into a new home, and orchestrated unpacking, decorating and hanging up pictures all within only the first two or three weeks of living there! She is not one to procrastinate.
Lastly, she also has experience in adoption issues which give her a unique insight and deeper level of understanding in that area. What is also unique to her experience is having worked many years in the entertainment industry being an accomplished entertainer herself.
Amanda is warm and friendly. Helping people is something she's passionate about I think because she authentically cares about others and their needs. And when thinking about Amanda, I have to mention her Southern charm and social graces are engaging.
So, in reflecting about my friendship over the years with Amanda, these were some of the things that stood out to me as to how her path led her to becoming a Marriage and Family counselor. Aside from all that she's raised two wonderful, beloved children, been a great role model for them, a pillar of strength alongside her husband, and is a very talented singer and pianist." by Joy Y.