Amy Hagerstrom, LCSW, Helping Clients Heal Across Florida and Illinois
Fort Lauderdale Therapist: My Path to a Mind-Body Approach
Why I Do This Work: Supporting Those Stuck in Overwhelm, Reactivity, and Shutdown
I’ve been where you are—feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure how to move forward.
But I’ve learned that healing is possible.
Therapist in Fort Lauderdale
Hi, I’m Amy!
If you’re searching for a way to move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to living with more ease and clarity, you’re in the right place.
Together, we’ll explore what you need to feel more connected to yourself and more in control of your emotional and physical responses—whether you’re navigating trauma, managing chronic pain, or facing life’s challenges. You deserve to feel safe and secure in your own body, even when things feel heavy or uncertain.
I know what it’s like to struggle.
There was a time when I felt trapped by anxiety, depression, and overwhelm. I spent years feeling like I was constantly reacting to the world around me—easily overwhelmed, shutting down, and unsure how to move forward.
It wasn’t until I began incorporating the body into my healing process that things started to shift.
Somatic work, including Somatic Experiencing and the Safe and Sound Protocol, has transformed my emotional well-being by helping my brain and body better recognize safety and even reducing my sensitivity to sound.
These practices haven’t just helped me feel more in control—they’ve deepened my understanding of myself, creating space for meaningful reflection and lasting change.
This is what I want for you, too.
Your circumstances are unique, and so is your healing process. While I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, I do know the body has an incredible ability to heal. I see it every day in my work with clients, and I’ve experienced it in my own life.
I believe that when we give the body the support it needs, we create space for emotional clarity and resilience to emerge.
Just like I discovered for myself, many of my clients come to me after realizing that talk therapy alone hasn’t been enough. They want to feel less reactive, reduce physical pain, or stop shutting down in the face of stress—but they don’t know where to start.
This holistic, body-based approach, also called somatic therapy, offers a way to reconnect with yourself, understand your patterns, and heal from the inside out.
What Therapy with a Mind-Body Approach Can Offer You
If traditional talk therapy hasn’t been enough for you, you’re not alone. While it can be helpful, the mind alone often can’t untangle the patterns of overwhelm, pain, or fear that live in the body.
Through somatic therapy, you can:
Feel more connected to your emotions and physical sensations, gaining clarity about what you need.
Reduce the intensity of triggers, so you’re not as easily overwhelmed or reactive.
Approach challenges with greater confidence and ease, rather than fear or avoidance.
Work with your body, creating space for healing and growth that feels natural and lasting.
This approach integrates Somatic Experiencing, a gentle body-based method to release stored trauma and stress, and Safe and Sound Protocol, a listening therapy that helps your nervous system recognize safety and respond with greater ease. Together, these practices help you move through life with more balance and resilience.
Providing Therapy with a Supportive, Mind-Body Approach
In our work together, we’ll start with where you are and move at a pace that feels right for you. My approach is informed by:
Personal experience. I’ve walked my own path of healing and understand how challenging this process can be.
Education and training. With a Master’s in Social Work and certifications in Somatic Experiencing, Safe and Sound Protocol, yoga, and massage therapy, I bring a deep understanding of mind-body healing.
Over 13 years of experience. I’ve helped adults, children, and families navigate emotional struggles, overwhelming stress, and the impact of past experiences.
This work is grounded in compassion and care, giving you the support you need to feel more connected, capable, and at ease in your life.
Let’s explore how this approach can support you. Reach out today to take the first step.
Therapy Qualifications
Education and Licensure
Masster of Social Work (MS) with Concentration in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the Erikson Institute
Bachelor of Science, Legal Studies from Indiana University
LCSW Florida License #SW23332
LCSW Illinois License #149026921
Trainings and Certifications
Somatic Experiencing Institute: Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Safe and Sound Protocol Trained and Certified
Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory in Trauma Treatment, Dr. Stephen Porges & Deb Dana
Advanced Concepts in Somatic Experiencing: Tactile Sensation, Sonia Gomes
Trauma Coupling Dynamics, Kathy Kain
Developmental Trauma, Later Stages, Raja Selvam
The New School of Massage, Bodywork, and Healing: Diploma
Cityoga: 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Certificate (CYT)
Outside of Therapy
After years in Chicago, I recently moved to Fort Lauderdale—trading one kind of waterfront for another. I’ve always loved city energy, but over time, I’ve come to appreciate a slower pace, smaller communities, and being in nature—especially near big bodies of water. The sound of the water, its movement, vastness, and unknown have a way of grounding me, especially in times of change.
Almost every day, I go for a walk—something that helps me settle, clear my mind, and take in the world around me. Lately, I’ve also been learning how to shuffle dance, which has been both humbling and fun.
Travel, good food, and great conversation are some of my favorite things—especially when they get into the depth of human experience. I love talking about what shapes us, why we do what we do, and how we make sense of it all.
And, of course, I love spending time with my puppy, Fergus. He keeps life interesting, reminding me to slow down, be present, and find joy in the small moments.
Get Help from a Fort Lauderdale Therapist
Living with overwhelming emotions or physical struggles can take over your life, leaving you feeling stuck and drained. It’s easy to get caught in cycles of stress or shutdown, making it hard to manage relationships, daily life, or focus on what matters.
But there is hope. Therapy with a somatic approach can help you feel more connected to yourself and your life.
You don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns or pain. Together, we’ll work toward lasting change and a path forward that feels empowering.