Amy Makice, founder of Bloomington Center for Connection, is a licensed psychotherapist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Amy’s professional journey is rooted in her passion for relational well-being and social justice. She has dedicated her life to creating growth-fostering relationships.
With experience and training in Relational-Cultural Therapy,(RCT), Amy offers a blend of services encompassing therapy, training, and facilitating deeper relationships in work, community, and play. Her commitment to RCT extends beyond her practice as she engages in community building initiatives to promote the power of connection.
Amy co-facilitates the Psychotherapy Affinity Group, (PAG) sponsored by the International Center for Growth in Connection (ICGC). She has presented at PAG, as well as ICGC colloquia on telehealth and connection. In addition to her work with PAG, she has played a pivotal role in bringing the Relational Summits to Bloomington. These summits serve as beacons of knowledge and inspiration, featuring distinguished guests like Maureen Walker, Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper. The summits explore a wide range of topics, including relational-cultural theory (RCT), education, justice, play, creative expression, and more.
Amy offers group, family, and individual therapy for children and adults, workshops and training on Relational Cultural Theory, RCT Clinical supervision, and consulting for businesses and organizations wishing to connect more deeply and equitably. Her approach is informed by advanced training in Playful Parenting and childhood anxiety with Lawrence Cohen, trauma-responsive care, relational neuroscience, and of course, RCT.
When offering individual and group therapy, Amy believes that one of the foundational steps in a healing relationships is learning to slow down and be present with what is showing up. Together, in the context of a strong therapeutic relationship, we can face and transform trauma, hurt, and fear.
As clinical supervisor of the BCC, Amy works with all of our therapists to make sure they have the skills and support they need to provide evidenced-based, growth-fostering therapy. One of her favorite parts of her job is watching therapists grow.
She is on a lifelong quest to learn about the impact of oppression, societal hierarchies, and marginalization, and dismantle her own role in upholding systems that benefit the few and harm so many. This work is a humbling unfolding, and she makes mistakes and tries to make amends for them.
Amy has a professional history serving the mental health needs of individuals and families. She began work with the LGBTQ+ community providing advocacy and care in 1992, and has been a clinical social worker since 1995. In graduate school, her research on women in recovery and Relational-Cultural Therapy was awarded a grant by the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women as well as the Lettie Page Whitehead Foundation Scholarship.
Amy Makice invites you to join her in this transformative journey of connection, growth, and empowerment. Whether you are seeking therapy, training, or a deeper understanding of relational-cultural theory, her dedication to fostering connections and advancing the cause of relational well-being can be your companion, facilitator, and learning partner.
