Holistic local entrepreneur highlights the transformative power of integrating mind, body and spirit for healing.
Amanda Thompson is a Northern Virginia native who blends trauma therapy and yoga in a unique practice called Discover and Deepen. Her journey from a teenager seeking clarity to a holistic millennial entrepreneur is a testament to the power of integrating mind, body, and spirit for healing. Amanda’s story is not just about personal growth but also about creating a supportive space for others to find their paths to wellness.
From Personal Struggles to Professional Passion
Growing up in the fast-paced environment of Northern Virginia, Amanda was acutely aware that everyone has a story marked by pain, tragedy, or trauma. Her own experiences with therapy as a teenager opened her eyes to the transformative power of a supportive, healing space. Amanda recalls, “I began to feel more empowered with truth, seeking situations and people that aligned with my true self.” This realization fueled her desire to become the therapist she needed during those challenging years.
Amanda’s academic journey took her to James Madison University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She continued her education with a Master's in Clinical Social Work at the Catholic University of America. Her advanced clinical internship at the DC Rape Crisis Center deepened her understanding of trauma and introduced her to trauma-sensitive yoga. This blend of therapy and yoga sparked a lifelong passion for integrating these modalities to help others heal.
The Healing Power of Movement
Amanda’s love affair with yoga began in college when she discovered how movement could significantly reduce her anxiety. She explains, “Yoga was the very essence of what my nervous system needed for body awareness to heal.” This realization led her to pursue yoga teacher training, initially planned for Bali but completed in Costa Rica with the Caribe Yoga Academy. Here, Amanda learned not just the physical aspects of yoga but its ability to connect mind, body, and breath, which is essential for holistic trauma healing.
"Yoga was the very essence of what my nervous system needed for body awareness to heal."
Amanda wholeheartedly embraces the recent approach to trauma that focuses on somatic and mind-body techniques. She believes that much of our stored emotional pain from traumatic experiences is locked in the body. Through a safe, supportive space and with a trusted facilitator, movement and breath can release these traumas in ways that talking alone cannot.
Creating a Safe Space for Healing
At Discover and Deepen, Amanda combines her expertise in trauma therapy and yoga to create a holistic healing environment. Her approach is client-centered, focusing on meeting clients where they are and providing a space where they feel seen, heard, and supported. Amanda’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “I am not here to make you comfortable, but I am here to make sure you are feeling safe.” This balance of challenge and safety is crucial for trauma recovery.
Clients coming to Amanda can expect a blend of talk therapy and yoga, tailored to their individual needs. She uses her extensive training in trauma therapy, including her background in working with sexual trauma, relational and emotional trauma, and multigenerational trauma, to guide her clients through their healing journeys. Amanda’s goal is to help clients move beyond coping mechanisms that no longer serve them, to set boundaries, and to listen to their intuition.
Innovative Offerings: Yoga, Astrology, and More
Discover and Deepen is more than just a therapy practice; it’s a holistic wellness center. Amanda has expanded her offerings to include astrology, integrating birth chart readings and lunar-based yoga events into her practice. These events, like Full Moon and New Moon Yoga, combine astrological insights with yoga practices designed to align with the lunar energy, helping clients set intentions or release what no longer serves them.
Amanda’s workshops and classes are a hit, providing clients with opportunities to explore self-compassion, body awareness, and breath work. Her Full Moon Yoga sessions, paired with deep stretch or yin yoga, allow clients to release deeply held tensions and emotions. Amanda reassures her clients that all reactions are part of the healing process, creating a safe space for them to explore their feelings and sensations.
The Road Ahead
Amanda’s vision for Discover and Deepen is ever-evolving. She aims to specialize further in customized healing solutions, combining somatic work, yoga, talk therapies, and astrology. Amanda is passionate about community events and collective healing spaces, hoping to invite more opportunities for communal growth and support.
Her motivation comes from witnessing clients discover their inner strength and self-approval. Amanda says, “When clients finally see what I have been trying to help them see all along, and they recognize their progress and feel genuinely proud of themselves for their hard work in healing, that is the special stuff or the magic sauce for me.”
Continuing the Journey
Amanda is committed to her own growth as much as her clients’. She participates in ongoing therapy and wellness practices to ensure she can show up authentically and effectively for her clients. Amanda also pursues continuing education opportunities, trainings, and seminars to stay at the forefront of her field.
At Discover and Deepen, Amanda Thompson is not just offering therapy and yoga; she’s creating a movement – one that recognizes the profound connection between mind and body, and the power of community in the healing journey. Her practice is a beacon for those seeking to transform their trauma into a source of strength and resilience.