Meet Amanda Robinson

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Amanda Robinson again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Amanda, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
I am a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist operating a private practice in Austin, Texas. In addition to my work as a child and teen therapist and parent coach, I have also written three children’s mental health workbooks. I also run an Instagram account focused on sharing information about child mental health, play therapy, and parenting!

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
It’s amazing to look back and see how different life is for me now compared to when my initial interview was published in December 2021! The biggest change is that I’ve become a mom. At the moment, I work part-time, which for me is the best of both worlds. I spend the mornings getting quality time with my little guy, and then spend the afternoons in my office using my brain in a very different way. It’s a dream come true that I’m able to do both, and I know how much of a privilege this truly is.

There have been other changes in the last three years as well. I wrote and published The Highly Sensitive Child’s Workbook, a book chock-full of activities designed to help children understand and cope with overstimulation in fun, encouraging ways. I love applying my play therapy knowledge to books – it’s honestly such fun to be creative and come up with playful exercises that support children.

In addition to that, I’ve also started an Etsy store, where I sell digital downloads of various therapy documents. Getting the store up and running was a lot of work (and more than once I questioned why I was even doing it), but now I’m glad I saw it through. It’s exciting every time I hear that cash register ding of the Etsy app – even if I only made $1.30 in the transaction!

The last (but perhaps not least) of the changes I’ve made include shifting the content I share on my Instagram and blog. Before, I enjoyed offering lots of tips on how to handle various parenting dilemmas. These days, we are absolutely inundated with parenting advice on social media, and now that I’m a mom, I realize how overwhelming that feels. It’s so confusing to see two or more respectable experts disagree about what is best in a given situation.

The last thing I want is to add my voice to that void and further frustrate parents. What I have started to offer instead is “big picture” thoughts and a focus on building confidence. Many parents (including myself) feel like our parenting journey is constantly evolving, and perhaps what we need most is permission to roll with those changes imperfectly.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music or Little Miss Sunshine (quite opposite each other!)

Favorite Book: The Bright Side of Disaster

Favorite TV Show: The Great British Baking Show

Sweet or Savory: Both! But especially sweet

Mountains or Beach: Beach

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Ballet dancer, veterinarian, writer

French Fries or Onion Rings: Fries

Favorite Breakfast Food: Cinnamon rolls or French toast

What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
For me, the perfect day would start with getting to sleep in. When I come out of my bedroom, a delicious hot breakfast would be waiting. My dog would rest her chin on my knee and watch with sad dark eyes as my husband, son, and I tuck into our favorite: French toast with homemade whipped cream. After breakfast, my husband would take the toddler for a run while I steal away a little alone time with a book and a chai latte! Or if it’s a truly perfect day, maybe I’d go for a massage!

In the afternoon, all of us (including the fur babe) would set off on an adventure to explore one of the many nature trails near us. Maybe we’d even spot a bird we haven’t seen before and can check off our list! Sweaty but happy, we’d grab take-out on the way home.

Before my son’s bedtime, I’d get to cuddle him in the rocking chair and listen to his sweet chatter. Once he’s in bed, my husband and I would make some kind of chocolatey dessert and play board games together until turning in for the night. Sounds pretty perfect to me!

Website: https://amandarobinsonlpc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandarobinson_lpc_rpt/

Other: Etsy store: https://playtherapyplace.etsy.com