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Meet Ami Manwaring

LCSW, Clinical Ecotherapist

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Welcome! I'm so glad that you are here. I'm Ami Manwaring, LCSW and Ecotherapist practicing psychotherapy on the Central Coast of California.

No matter what brings you to therapy, you'll be met with compassion and a non-judgmental, collaborative approach to therapy.  

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Originally from the east coast, I grew up playing in the forest by my house.  Swinging on vines, building forts, climbing trees, and exploring the world around me taught me about the healing power of nature.  Nature has always been a place of solace for me and I feel that it is where we are all meant to be.  My path led me to the Central Coast of California, where I worked as a psychiatric social worker at a state hospital for several years.  I saw firsthand what happens when you take nature away from individuals and place them in an institution.  As a medical social worker, I worked for years in home health and hospice and found that, even bed bound patients, begin to heal faster when they can look out a window or have plants close by.  

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A few years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a workshop on Ecotherapy at Pacifica University near Santa Barbara. The weekend changed my life when I realized that I could combine my two passions - psychotherapy and nature - in a way that would bring healing to both the earth and it's inhabitants. Several years of research and reading on the topic, forest bathing workshops, and a professional Ecotherapy certification later, Nature Therapy SLO was born.

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Nature itself is the best physician

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 -Hippocrates

My goal is for my clients to truly love themselves and all that they are.  Through proper nutrition, meditation, nature, art, movement and listening to your inner voice, you have the power within you to truly HEAL your deepest wounds.  It is my belief that we can transform our biggest challenges into powerful insights.
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For over twenty years, I have studied both conventional and alternative therapies with all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings.  I have had the priviledge of counseling individuals, couples, and families dealing with anxiety and depression, life changes, divorce, health issues, grief, loss of a loved one, and simply the stress of our day to day lives.  
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Through my experiences, I have witnessed the resiliency of the human spirit and the ability of individuals, couples, and families to truly heal from anything that life throws their way.   
 
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, gardening, yoga, camping, traveling, paddle boarding and creating. You can usually find me out exploring the beautiful central coast with my husband, four boys, and three dogs. 
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A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on it's wings.    - unknown

 

 Always Believe in Yourself       

Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 1998       Elon University

Minors in Anthropology and Psychology

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

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Masters in Social Work, 2001    Washington University 

Mental Health concentration

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Licensed Clinical Social Worker - California #25039

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Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Certified Facilitator - 2020 (60 Hours of Training)

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