Welcome to my virtual couch…
Amy Belval, LMFT
Amy Belval is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Connecticut and the Founder of ChatterSoupe, PLLC. The focus of Amy’s work is on mental health improvements of self and relationships in society where we all function.
Choosing to specialize in telehealth prior to the pandemic, she exceeded the industry standards by obtaining Board-Certification as a Telemental Health Provider. She continues to offer online services to Connecticut residents and frequent visitors where ever they are in state. In addition to synchronous virtual sessions for individuals and couples, she provides self-paced educational classes for anyone, anywhere. In-person classes and public speaking engagement inquiries are welcomed. Finally, Amy coaches businesses and individuals customized to their specific needs.
Professional Education
• Apprentice, Community College of the Air Force; Avionic Systems Technology- F/FB-111, Automatic
• Diploma, Morse School of Business, CT; Medical Administrative Assistant
• Certification, The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA); Medical Assistant
• Diploma, Long Ridge Writers Group, CT; Breaking into Print
• B.S. (Phi Theta Kappa Honors), Charter Oak State College, CT; General, Psychology/Communications
• M.S. (Honors) Central Connecticut State University; Marriage and Family Therapy
• Clinical Licensure, State of Connecticut – Marital and Family Therapist
• Post-Graduate, Colorado State University-Global Campus; Org. Leadership & Change Management
Additional Certifications
• Trauma Research Foundation; Traumatic Stress Studies
• Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc; Telemental Health Provider
• Veterans Health Administration; Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
• Management and Strategy Institute; Six Sigma Lean Professional
• Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Multidimensional Family Therapy Therapist
• Chestnut Health Systems; Global Appraisal of Individual Needs
Selected Areas of Continuing Studies
- The Trauma Research Foundation Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies: A 7-Month Post Graduate Program
- Addressing Traumatic Guilt in PTSD Treatment
- CPT: Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD Enhanced Practice
- In Session with Pat Odgen, PhD, – An In-depth Look at Treating Severe PTSD
- Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) – SOAR Framework for Those Who May Have Been Subject to Human Trafficking
- Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Trainer
- The Grip of Grief: Processing the Continual Losses of the Pandemic
- Nutrition Essentials for Clinicians: Culinary Medicine to Improve Mood, Sleep, Attention and Focus
- Making Sense of the Pandemic: Psychological Impact on Clients and Communities
- Swiftly Transitioning to Online Therapy: Legally, Ethically, and Efficiently
- 31st Annual International Trauma Conference
- Applying the Integrated Care Approach: Skills for the Behavioral Health Care Manager
- Trauma Defined: Bessel van der Kolk on The Body Keeps the Score
- Choosing and Using Technology in Telemental Health
- Best Practices in Telemental Health
- Telemental Health Settings and Care Coordination
- Direct to Consumer for Telemental Health
- Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5)
- PTSD Military Culture
- E-therapy: Ethics & Best Practices
- PTSD 101: Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD
- The Nature of Trauma: Developmental Neurobiology, Neuroimaging Research and Effective Intervention
Prior Professional Posts | Affiliations
- Professional Member, The Connecticut School-Based Diversion Initiative
- YMCA Facility Development Committee
- Expert Panel Member, Manchester Public Schools – Student Assistance Review Board
- Collaborative Family Healthcare Association
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- Pre-masters internship, Intensive In-Home Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) | Outpatient Treatment, Community Health Resources, Connecticut
- Pre-masters internship, Outpatient Services, Hockanum Valley Community Council, Connecticut
Personal Beliefs
Who are you when no one is watching? I hold integrity as a top characteristic for myself and others.
Next comes trust: A vital piece of all healthy relationships and must be practiced within your Self. Further, there’s nothing embarrassing about asking for help and leaning on a shoulder.
Compassion, curiosity, calmness, care, and empathy are daily essentials for self-leadership and success. When you possess these, you are able to share the same. Another building block is incorporating and evaluating healthy boundaries with everyone with whom you interact. Having hard lines and soft lines and remaining true to yourself is a non-negotiable. Knowing myself in this way came about through the struggles and experiences I endured. Add in a mix of humor, learning new things, and taking some risks help to create balance.
If these sound like areas you wish to learn or explore, strengthen or understand, I invite you to meet with me: Let’s Chat video consultation for a comfortable chat.
Who are my clients?
You are busy, maybe have a career, a spouse, children or caring for others, and you rely upon self-help sources. Then, lying awake at night and fading off at meetings you know you need more.
Somehow, life is no longer exciting and feel like you live in a bubble. Trauma memories need attention, anger flare ups are common and you are not happy with you.
Negative self-talk, nervousness, and maybe your body is signaling, too, such as panic attacks, shallow breathing and an upset stomach? Maybe some days its hard to leave bed and being tired is a daily feeling. It’s also likely that your food choices are for convenience and not necessarily for your health. It doesn’t have to continue this way.
Together, we learn about you, make some changes, and work to eliminate the symptoms and discomfort. You become your Self again!