Blanca Estela Amaya, LCSW, is the founder and owner of Amaya Counseling and Coaching. She is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma, anxiety, and depression, with a focus on serving first-generation adult children of immigrants and BIPOC communities.
Blanca is a certified EMDR therapist and an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT). Her integrative approach blends EMDR with Polyvagal Theory and somatic practices to support nervous system regulation and deep healing. She is also a trained Gong Yoga Nidra practitioner and incorporates sound healing and guided meditation into her wellness offerings.
With over 12 years of experience in community mental health, Blanca has worked with adolescents, adults, and older adults across individual therapy, group work, and psychological evaluations. In her private practice, she conducts immigration-related psychological evaluations for individuals seeking Extreme Hardship Waivers, VAWA, U-Visas, and T-Visas, with a focus on documenting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Blanca Estela Amaya holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Northridge (2016), where she developed a strong clinical foundation in mental health and social justice practice.
She also earned a Master of Arts in Chicana/o Studies from California State University, Northridge (2012).
Blanca completed her Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Spanish-Language Journalism from California State University, Northridge in 2008.