About Amy Vales
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Families
Adults (25-64)
Couples
Seniors (65+)
Groups
Treatment approaches
Art Therapy
Family / Marital
Christian Counseling
Family Systems
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Gestalt
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Amy Vales
Want to know what I see when I look at my clients? I see wonderful people who have been convinced they are flawed. I see loving parents who feel like they're failing, and committed couples who have lost their way back to each other. More than anything, I see the immense courage it takes to say, 'I want something different.' It is this deep-seated desire for wholeness that inspires my work and reminds me every day that healing is always possible.
I believe that at our core, we are all wired for healing and connection. However, life experiences and painful relationships can cause us to build protective walls, leaving us feeling isolated and disconnected from our true selves. My therapeutic style is relational, warm, and interactive. I don't believe in rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches.
Instead, I draw from various modalities, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and mindfulness, to tailor a process that is unique to you. In our sessions, we'll work collaboratively to understand the root of your struggles. We will gently challenge the inner critic, heal the parts of you that feel wounded or unworthy, and build a powerful sense of self.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Therapy with me might feel a bit different. It’s built on a partnership of trust and transparency, and it’s for those who are ready for a truly collaborative journey.
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We Address the Root: While we’ll work with the struggles that bring you in—anxiety, depression, relationship challenges—our deeper goal is to reach the root. Together, we’ll explore the core beliefs and survival strategies shaped by shame and reinforced by the cultural, familial, and relational systems around you. These patterns disconnect you from safety, worth, and belonging. Our work is about gently untangling those threads and restoring your connection to what’s already whole within you.
Our Relationship is the Foundation: I believe healing happens in the context of authentic, attuned relationship. My approach moves away from the model of the distant, removed therapist. I will meet you in the muck of your experience—with warmth, genuine care, and my own honest presence. This is a partnership, and I will walk beside you with reverence and steadiness.
We Work Through the Body: Shame lives in the body, not just the mind. That’s why our work will include somatic practices—simple, accessible exercises that help you exit the looping thoughts and reconnect with your felt sense of safety and truth. These practices help you build a new relationship with your nervous system, one rooted in compassion and regulation.
Support Between Sessions: Healing doesn’t only happen in the therapy room. I offer curated resources—readings, podcast episodes, guided meditations—to support your integration between sessions. These tools are designed to deepen your understanding of yourself and help you stay connected to the work, even when we’re not meeting.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Our Sessions
My work is deeply influenced by the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model (Level 1 certified) . At its heart, this approach helps us understand our inner worlds with compassion.
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We learn that deep inside, we all have younger parts of our psyche—our "inner children"—who may have been convinced by the "virus of shame" that they are bad or flawed. To protect themselves from this unbearable feeling, these young parts create powerful protective mechanisms: perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, control. Over time, we mistake these protective strategies for our actual personality.
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Our work together is about healing the lies told by the presence of shame. We will create a safe space to meet these younger parts, listen to their stories, and unburden them from the fear and pain they carry. As we do this, their protective mechanisms can finally relax, allowing your true, authentic Self to shine through, unencumbered by shame.
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Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Amy Vales, LMFT has 100+ in-network plans.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $165 for 55 minutes
Ongoing session: $165 for 55 minutes
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Southern Connecticut State University, Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy
NPI number
1184102469
How soon can I make an appointment with Amy Vales?
Generally, Amy Vales has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Amy Vales's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Amy Vales accepting new patients?
Amy Vales generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Amy Vales's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Amy Vales accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Amy Vales is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Amy Vales online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Amy Vales using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Amy Vales work with?
Amy Vales works with The Shameless Journey.
What are common reasons for patients to see Amy Vales?
Amy Vales frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Amy Vales on their profile.
What languages does Amy Vales speak?
Amy Vales speaks English.