Hidden Gems: Meet Amy Syper of Strength in Becoming

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Syper.

Hi Amy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I realized that I wanted to be a therapist after having my own transformational experience in therapy. I was struggling in high school, and my parents found a kind and compassionate therapist who gave me a safe space to explore my emotions, my family relationships, and my relationship to myself. Although my time in therapy was not always easy, I was so appreciative of the growth I achieved and excited by the idea that someday I could provide the same support and guidance to others.

As an undergraduate college student, I was a double major in dance and psychology. I had experienced the therapeutic benefits of movement and dance for myself but was not yet sure if or how I would merge these two passions. While completing my master’s degree at the University of Denver I continued to see the benefits of my dance background, and the potential benefits for people with eating concerns, which was to become my specialty. During my PhD program at Fordham University, I also completed the Alternate Route Dance/Movement Therapy program at 92NY Harkness Dance Center.

Post graduation I continued to work with individuals with eating disorders, both teens and adults, at Eating Recovery Center in Denver. This experience greatly influenced my current work and allowed me the chance to develop and run a therapeutic movement group for the adolescent unit. After feeling both energized and exhausted by the nature of inpatient work I decided to shift to private practice and in March of this year founded Strength in Becoming. It has always been a dream of mine to start my own business and I am so grateful to have had the encouragement and support of my friends and family while taking this leap.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was lucky to have known from a relatively young age that I wanted to be a therapist and that passion and drive have served me well through the decade of education it took to become a licensed psychologist. One thing neither my passion nor drive could have prepared me for was supporting clients through a global pandemic while I was still in training. Being a good therapist to others means also taking care of yourself. In 2020 particularly it was often hard to know what I needed for myself or what I could provide to my clients as we were all experiencing the same once in a lifetime event. I was living in New York City at the time and returned to the Dallas area to live with my family for 6 months while seeing clients over telehealth. Not only was I afraid for my own safety and that of my loved ones, but I was also trying to support clients with the same fears, and varying levels of financial resources and social and emotional support.

This challenge has only continued in recent years as I work to support my clients through personal challenges in the context of a world that oftentimes feels scary and can be unsafe for individuals with certain identities. I recognize that I cannot suddenly create a kinder or safer world for myself or my clients, but I can support them in processing fear, hope, anger, and joy. I can support them in building a supportive community, increasing their coping skills, and utilizing their personal strengths. I have recognized the importance of doing the same for myself by seeking my own therapy, participating in peer supervision groups, spending quality time with my loved ones, and engaging in my hobbies. There are times where it feels very challenging to be experiencing the same struggles as my clients and it can also be a great source of understanding and connection that supports my work.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Strength in Becoming?
Strength in Becoming is my private practice where I provide individual, family, and group therapy. I specialize in eating disorder treatment, and support clients in building a safer and more supportive relationship with their body. Part of this work includes increasing one’s mind-body connection. I utilize dance/movement therapy techniques for those who are interested in engaging in movement to support the “talk therapy” approach that I also provide.

There is so much information that our bodies have to offer and engaging in therapeutic movement allows people to better understand their emotional experiences, practice grounding and emotion regulation, and build self-trust. In my published research article “Dance/Movement Therapy for Individuals with Eating Disorders: A Phenomenological Approach” I explored these and other benefits of dance therapy for eating disorder treatment, which further inspired me engage in the work I do today. While I specialize in eating concerns, I also work with many individuals managing life’s daily challenges and experiencing anxiety, depression, and executive functioning concerns. I enjoy working with teens and adults and often work with local college students. I offer a free 20-minute consultation for potential clients to share their goals for therapy, get to know me and the work that I do, and see if we’re a good fit!

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a huge fan of the podcast Maintenance Phase both personally and professionally. The co-hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes dismantle diet culture with informative and hilarious commentary. I listen (and relisten) to their podcast and often recommend episodes to my clients to support their journey towards body neutrality and an anti-diet lens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amy-syper7646.clientsecure.me/