Amy Dean, LMFT-S
Amy Dean, LMFT-S, is a psychotherapist and founder of Lake Conroe Counseling Center in Montgomery, Texas, which she established in 2017 after returning to the United States following nearly 20 years living overseas in six different countries. Her journey in mental health counseling began when she earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 1994, starting her career as an associate therapist in California. An unexpected chapter abroad as a trailing spouse allowed her to raise her son internationally while volunteering and maintaining her California license, experiences that deepened her understanding of diverse cultures and informed her flexible, culturally competent approach to therapy.
Amy’s professional focus has centered on children and adolescents, specializing in grief, third-culture kids—children raised outside their parents’ passport country—and challenges related to repatriation. Over her career, she has provided compassionate, person-centered care for clients from a variety of backgrounds while maintaining a commitment to evidence-based practices and culturally responsive treatment. In addition to her clinical work, Amy earned her supervisor designation to mentor and guide the next generation of therapists, emphasizing professional growth, ethical practice, and effective client care.
Building a skilled, collaborative team at Lake Conroe Counseling Center stands as one of Amy’s most notable professional achievements. She continues to lead her practice with a focus on supporting both clients and clinicians, fostering an environment where mental health care is accessible, thoughtful, and personalized. Through her work, Amy combines her global perspective, extensive clinical experience, and dedication to family systems to create meaningful and lasting impacts for the individuals and families she serves.
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Supervisor Designation
• The University of Kansas - BA, Psych
• Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology - MA, Clinical Psychology
• Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists
• Member of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists
• HAMFT
• Board member of the Dome Juliday house in Kazakhstan (provided vocational training for youth ages 16-23 aging out of the system)
• International Women's Group of Maracaibo
• International Newcomers' Club of Rio de Janeiro
• Almaty International School Parent Teacher Organization
• Kuala Lumpur Allstars Baseball Team
• Dom Julide, Almaty Kazakhstan
• HAMFT
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and asking for help. I think when I started asking for help, and I got better systems in place with my business, I started not making decisions just because I thought it was a good idea, but actually thinking through the decisions and the financial part of the decisions. I mean, you know, I worked for 7 years and did not turn a profit. Last year was the first year that we were profitable, and I was barely profitable, but it's a lot better than it was in previous years. The pandemic about killed us, and I kept the doors open despite insurance reimbursement rates not keeping up with the times. I've only gotten, like, a 3 cent raise, a $2 raise, and this is in 10 years, 8, 9 years. Things are more expensive out there - rents have gone up, utilities have gone up, everything has gone up - and it's not a profession where we make a lot of money, and that's because people don't value mental health. You've got to really look at the financial decisions that you make, and at times, you have to let insurance companies go and say, I'm sorry, I can't work with you anymore, and I've done that.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn about business. You know, I feel like I'm a good clinician, I feel like I'm a decent leader, but I was a poor business owner for longer than I'd like to admit - just saying yes to too many things, not paying myself regularly, making financial decisions based on hope rather than data. And so, I think that with our master's program, we're not taught business. So absorb all that you can from the people around you, and seek companionship and consultation and supervisors, and surround yourself with a group of clinicians. I don't see the clinicians that I know that are in my direct area as competitors, because I believe that there's only so many people I can help. So find yourself a community around you. That's what I would tell people coming up, and also, self-care. We hold so many stories, and it's draining if you don't take care of yourself. And you know, the thing I always say is, you know, you gotta put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. And, you know, everyone, people are like, oh, I hate it when you say that, and I'm like, but it's true. You've got to really look at the financial decisions that you make, and at times, you have to let insurance companies go, and say, I'm sorry, I can't work with you anymore, and I've done that.