Meet Amanda Baird
Meet
Amanda Baird
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
Hi, I'm
It's so nice to virtually meet you.
If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably wondering important things:
I get it. Choosing a therapist for your child is a big decision. Therapy is an investment of your time, energy, and trust, and you want to feel confident that you’re finding someone who is the right fit for your child and your family.
My hope is that this page helps you get to know me a little more and gives you a feel for what it may be like to work together.
I’m passionate about helping children feel confident, secure, and empowered.
I believe children deserve a space that is created just for them, because their needs are different from those of adults. That’s why I built a practice focused on supporting children, teens and the families who love them.
I specialize in helping young people heal, grow and move toward a life where they can truly thrive. Every child has their own unique strengths, personality and potential. I believe growth happens when they are given a safe space to be fully themselves while also learning new ways to cope, connect and move through hard things.
What Growth Can Look Like
Healing doesn’t always look dramatic from the outside.
Sometimes it looks like your child connecting more with family and friends.
Sometimes it looks like them coming out of their room more often.
Sometimes it looks like less overwhelm at school, more confidence, or seeing those genuine smiles return.
When children begin to feel more understood, supported and emotionally, safe they often begin to show up in life differently.
I’m not the therapist who is going to magically “fix” your child’s struggles, even though I wish I had that kind of superpower.
I can’t promise your child will turn in 100% of their assignments on time, only want 10 minutes of screen time a day, clean the house without being asked or get ready each morning with perfect execution.
At the end of therapy, your child will still be uniquely them.
My goal is not to change who they are. My goal is to help lighten the weight, stress and pain they may be carrying so they can move through life with more confidence, regulation and joy.
That may look like a happier, more regulated child who still leaves their socks on the floor sometimes, hits snooze one too many times or gets a little too caught up in social media and video games now and then but who feels better equipped to handle life.
Therapy is
Mental health struggles are real, layered and complex. If the answers were easy, I trust that you and your child would have figured them out by now.
That’s why therapy with me is an active and collaborative process.
While I bring training, experience and clinical skills, you are still one of the most important people in your child’s life. You know your child in ways no one else does and your role matters deeply in the healing process.
You’ll have space to share your concerns, better understand your child’s emotional world and learn supportive tools and strategies you can use at home.
We work together as a team.
often describe me as
someone who feels like a real-life human who gets it. They are looking for someone who can help them better understand the specific and unique challenges their child is facing, recognize their child’s strengths and identify tools and supports that truly fit their child and family.
Most of all, they want that support without judgment.
In our work together, I come alongside you as part of the same team, helping you support your child with practical strategies for real life.
Children often look forward to their “special play time” and I frequently hear parents say:
“ Her teachers have noticed an improvement. Our relationship is stronger because of you. He's been asking to come all week. My husband now looks forward to coming with us. She tells friends about Miss Amanda’s playtime. My wife is a believer after one session. "
“Her teachers have noticed an improvement." “Our relationship is stronger because of you." “He's been asking to come all week." “My husband looks forward to coming with us." “She tells friends about Miss Amanda’s playtime." “My wife is a believer after one session."
For teens, I work to create a safe, supportive and private space where they can talk through the complexities of being a young person navigating anxiety, depression, anger, trauma and life stressors.
Outside the office, there’s a good chance I’m enjoying a great cup of coffee, whether it’s from Starbucks, Latte Vino or my Moka pot at home.
I’m a big food lover too, so you might find me at Carrabba’s, Willy’s Bloomingdale Pizza or in my kitchen trying out a new Pinterest recipe.
I love being outdoors, gardening in the summer, hiking, flying kites and skating with my family.
Most importantly, I’m a wife and a mom to a wonderful boy and girl and perfectly imperfect parent to both.
The professional side of me
I’ve worked hard in my career so you can know your child will be in good, caring and competent hands.
- Tampa, FL
- Graduated 2009
- Sarasota, FL
- Graduated 2015
- Licensed in Florida
- Supervise in Florida
- Credentialed as a Registered Play Therapist
- Child-Centered Play Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Sandtray Therapy
- Water Play Therapy
- Parent support and coaching
Speaks to therapists, teachers, and helping professionals on topics related to children’s mental wellness.
In other words, I’ve spent years building the training and experience needed to support children and families in ways that are thoughtful, practical and effective.
I’ve worked in the mental health field since 2011 and have supported children, families and adults in a variety of settings, including homes, schools, the juvenile justice system, outpatient care and crisis unit settings.
Drawing on all of that experience, I meet children and families where they are while using approaches that provide relief from current stressors, big feelings, difficult situations and concerning behaviors.
If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d love to invite you to book a free consultation.
