Amelia McGinnis

Amelia McGinnis, MSW, LCSW

amelia@mcginnis-counseling.com

(814) 862-9969

Amelia McGinnis LCSW

Amelia McGinnis, MSW, LCSW

Amelia has been an outpatient therapist in State College since 2009, when she graduated with a masters of social work from Temple University.  She was a founding practitioner of the Individual and Family CHOICES Program.  Prior to 2009, she was a counselor and clinical director at Stormbreak Youth Program, working with adolescents and their families.

Brain-based Integration

Amelia believes in an integrated, multi-faceted, client-focused approach that is tailored to meet the needs of each individual or family she meets. Amelia is a brain-based therapist and uses her knowledge of the brain in therapy using modalities such as EMDR and Neurofeedback. She has specialized training in attachment focused family therapy as well as other family therapy approaches.  Amelia is a candid and caring therapist who recognizes and honors the relationship between the therapist and client as a way to help healing occur.

Specializations


Adolescents

Either in an individual and family setting, Amelia uses her candor and caring to help teenagers who are struggling with a multitude of symptoms including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, and family issues.

Attachment Issues

Amelia has training from Dan Hughes and has attended and presented at the National ATTACh Conference.  She has worked with children of all ages that have been adopted or are struggling with attachment problems.

Parenting skills

Often times, parents need help navigating how to parent a child in today’s world.  Amelia can offer clear and practical advice to parents with children of any age, whether the concerns are regarding behavior, discipline approaches, anxiety, sensory issues, or divorce.

Trauma

Amelia uses EMDR, attachment focused therapy,  and ego state therapies, such as Internal Family Systems, to help people resolve events or trauma they may have experienced in their lives.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches.

ADHD

Combining neurofeedback therapy with parent education and family therapy, Amelia successfully worked with families, children, and adults with ADHD.

Anxiety

Mindfulness, heart rate variability, and neurofeedback are tools that are often used when working with anxiety.  Amelia also integrates her knowledge of the brain to help clients understand where anxiety is coming from and then how to reduce it.

Invited Speaker/Trainings


November 2013

“Tips for Talking to Your Teens About Healthy Relationships”

Straight Talk Parenting Series, SCASD, State College, PA

October 2013

“Demystifying the Brain: Understanding the Brain and EEG Biofeedback”

Blair County SAP Day, Altoona, PA

 December 2012

“The Shame Brain:  Neuro-Feedback in the Context of Eating Disorders.”

13th Annual Erin Leah Robarge Memorial Seminar; Corning, NY

September 2012

“What is EEG Biofeedback and How Can it Help My Child?”

Co-presenter with Bob Patterson; National ATTACh Conference in Baltimore, MD

 February 2012

“Parenting Teenagers Successfully”

Focus on Strong Families in State College, PA

2010-2012

“Introduction to EEG Biofeedback”

Multiple trainings in State College, PA

2004 & 2005

“Parenting Teenagers”

Health Matters, University Park, PA