About Amy

Amy Garman, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), & Practice Owner

I’ve always known I wanted to help others. With over 20 years of experience supporting children and their families in a variety of settings, I have developed a passion for helping people of all ages untangle their trauma. 

I received a Bachelor’s in Social Work but quickly realized that a career as a social worker wouldn’t offer me as much time with children as I wanted. So, I taught for five years before deciding to go back to school to become a counselor. As I prepared for my license (LPC), I continued working in the district as a school counselor, helping elementary, junior high, and special education students maintain their emotional, social, and academic well-being.

Once I received my LPC, I left the school system and took a job in the business department at a psychiatric hospital. As an intake specialist, I worked as the liaison between the hospital and local doctors and mental health agencies. In addition to experience in school and healthcare settings, I have worked with kids in foster care and the Juvenile Detention Center as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). This work, in particular, has informed my counseling approach and allowed me to gain valuable insight into the effects of trauma. 

I’ve worked in a private, independent practice since 2014 and am eager to expand the team at Balance Counseling so that we can provide healing support throughout West Texas.

My training is primarily in trauma-informed methods and attachment theory, which means that I work to understand the impact of clients’ emotional wounds and relationship models. I treat each person as an individual and incorporate evidence-based, holistic methods as needed. However, I believe that the most important aspect of counseling is the therapeutic relationship—our connection—itself. 

In addition to traditional talk therapy, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), expressive arts therapy, sand tray therapy, mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). And because I am a Registered Play Therapist, I find the expressive, creative elements of play to be useful when treating children, teens, and adults.  

My Approach To Therapy

As your counselor, I believe in meeting you exactly where you are on your journey. It’s important to me that you feel genuinely cared for in therapy and that we develop a trusted, safe connection. Many of my clients have commented on the comfort and ease they feel under my guidance, and I hope to extend this same warmth and relatability to each and every person treated at Balance Counseling. 

I don’t believe in labels or pathologizing clients. After all, you are a unique individual who maintains expertise on your life. I am just here to help you examine, process, and heal from the challenging experiences keeping you stuck. 

Regardless of age, I am invested in my clients’ healing and genuinely interested in what makes them an individual. I particularly love to work with teenagers, as they challenge themselves to find out what sets them apart. And because I have worked in a variety of settings and with a diverse array of clients—from schools to shelter systems to juvenile detention centers—I have a unique perspective on younger populations. 

My professional experience has allowed me to cast a wide net throughout Odessa and work with other healthcare professionals in the community. Not to mention, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) and take great pleasure in guiding new clinicians as they discover their therapeutic approach and passions. 

For Me, There’s Not Much That A Ride On The Back Of A Harley Can’t Fix

I am an Odessa native and have absolutely treasured my experiences working with children, teens, and their families over the past few decades. 

When I am not counseling clients, you can usually find me riding on the back of a Harley with my husband. Together, we have taken multi-week rides in eight states, including throughout the Southwest, Midwest, and our own backyard. From the mountains of Montana to the rolling Black Hills of South Dakota to the familiar desert landscape of Big Bend, Texas, I have learned so much about the grounding, clarifying quality of nature. 

The “Wind Therapy” I experience on the back of a bike allows me to decompress and center myself amid the stress of life, and it has helped to inform everything from my spiritual beliefs to my professional practice.

I Look Forward To Helping You Find Balance

The team at Balance Counseling is here to help you feel safe, seen, and connected. Please contact us so that we can match you with the therapist who will best suit your needs.