Welcome!

My name is Amanda Hughes and I have a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  I was one of the first students to graduate from a program accredited by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists in the state of Nevada.  While at UNLV, I was the recipient of the Excellence in Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Award, an honor given to only one student a year.  I am currently registered with the State of Nevada as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Intern.  I work under the supervision of Dr. Jeanne Griffin, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience.  I have also received additional training (in the form of continuing education units) in infertility counseling, play (child) therapy, and eating disorders.

I am a supportive, non-directive therapist--this means that I do not believe it is my job to tell you what to do or make decisions for you.  Rather, I will offer support and guidance to you to help you reach your own conclusions and make decisions that you feel are the best for YOU.  I do, however, draw upon a number of thoughtfully selected and practiced techniques when working with clients with specific concerns, such as anxiety and depression.  I also frequently offer my clients a number of strategies that have been demonstrated to be useful in research and in practice.

My particular area of interest is infertility counseling and pregnancy loss.  Having been through both experiences, I have a unique perspective, depth of understanding, and general knowledge of these experiences.  I do not believe in solely "counseling from personal experience," although I do draw upon my personal experiences to offer support that is both understanding and compassionate.  I can offer guidance as you navigate decision-making processes and will assist you in managing the stresses and struggles of infertility.  If you are suffering from the tragedy of a pregnancy loss, you may feel alone and may find that other people have a hard time listening to the story of your loss.  You do not need to grieve alone!  Grief is a very individualized process and I will help you through any phase of this difficult time.  I am a professional member of RESOLVE:  The National Infertility Organization, and I also work with The Fertility Center of Las Vegas, conducting seminars for their patients on infertility-related topics.  I know that navigating the infertility and/or adoption process can be very time-consuming and expensive; therefore, it is my goal to provide affordable convenient services for people during their journey toward parenthood.

My other area of interest lies in helping women with the complex challenges that we are faced with in today's society.  Women often feel pressure to look their best, perform to a high standard, and maintain well-balanced personal life.  It is no wonder we often feel stressed and overwhelmed!  I have training and experience in working with a number of women's issues, such as self-esteem issues, postpartum depression, eating disorders, and family challenges.  I enjoy helping women achieve balance and confidence in their own lives.

In addition to counseling services, I also offer seminars/workshops on a number of topics.  Please contact me for available times and rates.

I look forward to working with you!