Amy joins GE Family Services as a Clinician to work with clients in our Fairbanks office and telehealth throughout Alaska. She provides services to adolescents and adults with issues such as maternal mental health, including perinatal and postnatal mood disorders (pregnancy related mental health), anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, family members of substance abuse, and LGBTQIA+.

Hello, my name is Amy Carlson.

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I am pleased to introduce myself as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, located in our beautiful city of Fairbanks, Alaska. I have been living in Alaska since July of 2012, when I achieved a lifelong dream of living in this amazing state. Originally from East Idaho, I have always wanted to live in a place that felt like a vacation, instead of having to drive to the mountains to find it. I have been practicing social work for over 23 years.  While earning my Bachelors in Social Work from Idaho State University I worked in residential treatment with adolescents. Upon graduation in 2005, I worked with children and adolescents, and their families, through an opportunity in Idaho called psychosocial rehabilitation. This gave me 5-10 hours per week per child to assist children in all aspects of their lives. Working in the home on relationships with their parents, and challenges with chores, at school helping with grades and homework, in the community with probation and community service, and socially with building friendships and connections. One of my favorite take aways from that time is the value of art and creativity in therapy. Helping children learn healthy coping skills through gaining hobbies and interests, a practice I continue to this day with all my clients. After earning my Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University in 2007, I continued to work with children and adolescents, and expanded my practice to include individuals, families, and couples, until my move to Alaska in 2012. I came to Alaska to take a position in residential treatment with adolescents, before finding my home in private practice. I have been working in the private sector with clients of all ages and challenges for the last 11 years. A journey I now continue at GE Family Services.

Areas that I particularly enjoy are maternal mental health, including perinatal and postnatal mood disorders (pregnancy related mental health), anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, family members of substance abuse, and LGBTQIA+. I bring a diverse collection of treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based practices, art therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, and Brainspotting. I enjoy the person-centered challenge of finding what each client needs and matching my interventions to what suits them best. I have also strived to educate myself as thoroughly as possible on cultural differences and do all I can to bridge cultural gaps.

On a personal note, I greatly enjoy the outdoors and the opportunity to camp, hike, and ski.  I am also fond of spending time with my young children and many winter days can be found sledding. I am an avid reader and gamer, and enjoy many games like World of Warcraft, Hogwarts Legacy, and Fortnite. Hopefully as my children get older, we can start a D&D campaign at home as well. I pursue several art related hobbies, ones which I integrate into my therapy practice.  These include resin, beadwork, sewing, art journaling, junk journaling, painting, and pretty much anything arts and crafts related.

My lifelong goal is to empower others with the tools they need to lead full and happy lives.