Amy Scher, ASW

*Accepting In-Person & Telehealth Clients

What are your specialities and areas of interest?

As a therapist, I’m passionate about helping clients become more fully themselves, and move toward the life they want with greater purpose.I help clients navigate life transitions across all stages of life, including relationship stress, career challenges, parenting, and identity concerns. I also specialize in working with women navigating midlife, especially those facing relationship challenges or major life transitions such as separation or divorce, remarriage, or a career change.

In addition to working with women in midlife transitions, my specialities include:

~ premarital and newer couples managing conflict and communication

~ parenting transitions and identity shifts

~ navigating life with ADHD

~ high-achieving professionals balancing work and relationships

~ adults navigating aging (or aging parents), and changes in identity

What sparks the most joy for you as the therapist?

Watching people surprise themselves! Many of my clients come to therapy at a pivotal point in their lives, and I love witnessing those moments of clarity, insight, and growth—when they begin to see themselves in a new way. I also love how creative this process can be. Therapy is one of the few places where we get to simply show up as we are—messy, honest, uncertain, and human. I show up as my authentic self, and I invite my clients to do the same. Sometimes our work may also include creative ways of connecting with yourself, whether through music, art, meditation, journaling, storytelling, or whatever feels most meaningful to you. Above all, my hope is to create a space where you feel grounded, understood, and empowered as you move toward the life you want. I don't believe therapy is about fixing something that's broken. It's about understanding yourself more deeply, recognizing the strengths you already have, and creating lasting change that feels authentic to who you are. It's an honor for me to walk alongside people as they reconnect with themselves and create a life that feels more like their own.

How would you describe your therapy style?

My approach is warm, authentic, and playful, drawing on both clinical training and life experience. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years in the nonprofit sector leading programs focused on parenting, relationships, and emotional well-being. My own experiences as a single mom have also shaped the way I connect with clients, helping me create a space where they feel understood and supported.

In our work together, I use a client-centered, strengths-based approach. I see my role as helping people reconnect with the wisdom they already have within themselves. Often, it's not about finding something new—it's about creating enough safety and openness to hear what's already there.

In therapy, I draw from different approaches, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), somatic/mindfulness techniques, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), among others. I tailor my approach to each client, using the techniques that best.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we'll ever do.” - Brene Brown

I love this quote because it speaks to the courage it takes to show up as our authentic selves. You are already brave! I believe therapy offers a space to explore our stories, recognize our Strengths and move towards the life we really want.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?

I live in San Diego and am a single mom to two spirited kids—and one wildly enthusiastic pup! Being a mom has given me firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of raising children. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, being near the ocean, music and dancing of all kinds, listening to podcasts to learn something new, as well as baking, doing puzzles, and exploring new hobbies that bring playfulness and creativity to life.