DR. amanda strunin

Dr. Amanda Strunin is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist. She provides therapy to teens, adults, and families dealing with mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, behavioral problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and personality disorders.

Dr. Strunin completed her undergraduate training at the University of Florida. She earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Miami, where her research and clinical training focused on Clinical Health Psychology. She completed Residency at the Durham VA Medical Center and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Oliver-Pyatt Centers/Monte Nido, an eating disorder residential and intensive outpatient facility.

After working at Oliver-Pyatt Centers as a Primary therapist, Dr. Strunin was in private practice at Pediatric Psychology Associates for eight years. She and her long-time colleague and friend, Dr. Kelly Painter, opened Psychology of South Florida in 2023.

Dr. Strunin has presented at local schools, community events, and national conferences on topics including eating disorders, body image awareness, and healthy lifestyle practices. She has been published in international scholarly journals on the link between health practices and chronic illness, and has appeared on television and radio as an expert on topics related to mood disorders, anxiety, and general well-being in teens and adults. Her approach to therapy involves collaboration and compassion focused on short- and long-term goals, and enhanced awareness.

Treatment includes a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and interpersonal psychotherapy. These approaches also have the most research support for teens and adults with eating disorder and trauma histories, along with depression and anxiety. Additionally, Dr. Strunin’s learned to flexibly apply CBT and DBT skills treatment while at large, research-based institutions, community mental health centers, Veterans hospital facilities, residential treatment centers, and private practice. She combines a skills approach to treatment with interpersonal psychotherapy focusing on the healing aspects of the relationship.

Specifically, as interpersonal creatures, our interactions shape our personality, and people often seek out and repeat healthy and sometimes unhealthy interpersonal patterns. Understanding ourselves better and applying the necessary tools to cope, helps us make tangible progress in therapy. Dr. Strunin also strives to tailor interventions for each client to match their concerns and needs. The client informs and guides therapy toolkits, and it is the therapist’s job to be well-versed in a variety of research-proven methods to ensure therapeutic growth. Dr. Strunin seeks to motivate clients understand what drives them, keeps them from realizing their potential, and inspires them to live a more fulfilling life. Let’s build a relationship based on trust, respect, and empathic movement toward healing change.