Meet Amanda

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here. My name is Amanda Huggins. I‘m a licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and therapist serving clients across the State of Illinois through Mind Matters Oasis.

I specialize in supporting women, young adults , adolescents, and busy professionals navigating anxiety, overthinking, ADHD, relationship challenges, trauma, life transitions, stress, and life’s challenges. Many of my clients are high achieving or their life “looks good on paper,” but internally they feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them.

My approach in therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in genuine human connection. I believe therapy should be supportive, at times challenging, practical, and personalized. Not strictly clinical or a one size fits all. Every person brings unique experiences, strengths, relationships, and cultural influences into the therapy space. I work to honor the whole person throughout the therapeutic process.

Together, we’ll work to better understand your patterns, relationships, emotions and stressors while building tools that help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected to yourself. I’m intentional about checking in on progress throughout therapy because I believe meaningful growth happens when clients feel supported, understood, and actively involved in the process.

I also believe some of the best therapeutic work happens through authenticity, perspective, vulnerability, and even humor. My goal is to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgement, and leave the session feeling seen, supported, and even better equipped to navigate life outside of therapy.

Outside of private practice, I also work as a school social worker supporting students during the most developmental years of their lives. That role has deeply shaped the therapist I am today and strengthened my passion for early intervention, emotional wellness, relationships, and helping people build confidence in themselves.

Interestingly, my students are a large part of what inspired me to start Mind Matters Oasis. Over the years, they consistently encouraged me to expand my work outside of schools because of the way I connect with people, offer perspective, and help others navigate relationships, family dynamics, stress, and the challenges of “adulting”. Their encouragement pushed me to create an “oasis” where people could feel genuinely understood while receiving practical, meaningful support.

In addition to therapy, I also provide clinical supervision for social workers working toward licensure. I’m passionate about mentorship, education, and helping clinicians grow into confident, authentic therapists who feel supported in both their clinical work and professional development.

On a personal level, I’m often described as empathetic, thoughtful, down to earth, and someone who helps others see new perspectives. I hear “when you put it that way” and “I never thought about it like that” often. Outside of work, I’m usually spending time with my family, our dogs Barkley and Louie, cooking, traveling, or slowing down and recharging outdoors in nature.