The Heart Behind Jam Hands
Hello, I’m Amy Johnson, owner of Jam Hands Family Therapy, and I’m glad you’re here.
The idea for this practice took root during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world had shut down, and I was a stay-at-home mom navigating uncertainty like everyone else. On a whim, I started exploring graduate school. With a background in marine ecology and science education, I had spent years thinking systemically and connecting with people to inspire change. Psychology had always been a passion of mine, and when I found Antioch University Seattle’s family-centered program, I knew I had found my place.
Balancing motherhood and grad school was no joke, but it shaped me into the therapist I am today. My daughter was not yet two years old when I started, and I’ve grown alongside her, deepening my understanding of the unique needs of children, parents, and families. As I discovered my own neurodivergence and learned how to support my neurodivergent child, my approach to therapy evolved. I don’t just work with neurodivergent families—I live it. I know firsthand how messy, beautiful, and exhausting the journey can be, and my work is grounded in that lived experience, professional training, and a commitment to honoring every family’s unique needs.
The name Jam Hands Family Therapy comes from Gilmore Girls, where Luke Danes complains that kids are always sticky—somehow, even when there’s no jam in the house, they have jam on their hands. That line stuck with me. Life is messy, relationships are complicated, and parenting rarely goes as planned. At Jam Hands, I embrace the “jam hands” moments—the real, unfiltered, imperfect parts of life—because that’s where connection and healing happen.
I bring humor, curiosity, and a deeply client-led approach to therapy. I won’t push toxic positivity or tell you to “just think positive” when the world is hard. I take therapy seriously, and I take systems of oppression seriously. I see how ableism, racism, sexism, and other forms of marginalization shape mental health, and I believe in therapy that doesn’t just help you survive but helps you reclaim your power.
I earned my Master’s in Couple and Family Therapy in September 2024 and am currently completing a Play Therapy Certificate, set to finish in March 2025. From there, I will pursue becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Before entering the mental health field, I worked in various roles—including volunteer management, project management, education, facilitation, and communications—gaining skills in outreach, systemic thinking, and community building that continue to inform my work.
As an associate therapist, I am continuing to learn and grow as a clinician alongside support from a licensed supervisor and case consultation with experts in the field.
