Meet the Malak Psychology Team
Amanda S. Malak, PsyD (she/her/we/us)
Clinical Psychologist AZ 5465, NY 28100, & PSYPACT 11395
Dr. Amanda Malak – Clinical Psychologist & Owner
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Malak Psychology. Adolescents and adults navigating their faith and sexuality (LGBTQ+ affirming), anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, grief, trauma, pregnancy/postpartum, family of origin concerns, identity development, and general life stressors and transitions would particular enjoy working with me. Multicultural couples and families (polyamory affirming) navigating culture clashes, estrangement, faith transitions, and sexual and intergenerational trauma, especially for BIPOC populations, are treatment specialties. Psychedelic psychotherapy preparation and integration are also available with referrals to clinics and others who can provide medication administration. Psychological assessment to clarify diagnoses such as autism, bipolar disorder, ADHD, etc., Independent Medical Evaluations (IME), worker’s compensation, preemployment for first responders, and fitness-for-duty-evaluations are also offered. Approaching patients with cultural humility is a core value at Malak Psychology honoring who you are, your ancestors, and the indigenous land we occupy.
We complete psychological assessments and psychotherapy through Malak Psychology serving Arizona and PSYPACT state residents virtually and in-person. Malak Psychology is also contracted with Time to Evaluate, which assesses children and adults for autism, and Josi Health, which offers child and adult autism and ADHD assessments and therapeutic services for autistic people across PSYPACT states. Josi Health accepts many commercial insurances.
As a newly licensed and pre-licensed clinician, I worked with police officers and first responders supporting them through critical incidents, life transitions, and other traumas, and I conducted preemployment evaluations for police departments with Kuhlman Psychology & Consulting. I was also a psychometrist assisting with social security evaluations at Psychological Assessment Associates of Arizona. I completed my postdoctoral residency at Wooten & Associates gaining specialized training treating perinatal patients with substance use disorders and consultation. During internship, I received extensive training integrating spirituality into psychotherapy with students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. During practicum, I completed forensic psychotherapy and assessment training at Buwalda Psychological Services and sex offender treatment at Family Transitions. I also treated people with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services from 2015-2018 as a behavioral health technician.
I received a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ in 2020, Master’s of Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ in 2018, Master’s of Social Entrepreneurship from Hult International Business School in London, UK in 2012, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 2010.
To care for myself, I frequent nature and move my body. I am also a mother and partner, and you may occasionally hear my little ones in the background. I use confidential consultation, supervision, and my own psychotherapy to consult cases and remain mentally healthy. Creating non-exploitative training opportunities for future clinicians, living a semi-nomadic lifestyle, and aiding in an ecologically harmonious future are some of my long-term goals, and I hope to model building the life you want to live by living my life in line with my values and dreams.
Nicole Incentes – Doctoral Student
I am an aspiring Clinical Psychologist passionate about helping children and adolescent populations. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy and assessments by utilizing the biopsychosocial model that integrates physical, mental, and environmental factors that impact overall well-being. Additionally, I believe in multicultural competence that allows for the understanding of different cultural identities to provide effective treatment.
I received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Psychological Science from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. I am currently in my 3rd year of my Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program from Northern Arizona University, North Phoenix Campus. My clinical experience includes working as a case manager at Southwest Behavioral Health and Services working with low-income children and families who have a wide variety of mental health disorders. Additionally, I have worked with children on the Autism Spectrum as a Registered Behavioral Technician providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. I also worked as a data research aide working with preschool teachers and children in different Arizona School districts to test the efficacy of a curriculum designed to improve speech/language. During practicum (clinical training which I am now doing at Malak Psychology), I worked at Copa Health, an integrated healthcare system providing therapy to children, adolescents, and adult populations. I hope to apply my skills and all these experiences at Malak Psychology while continuing to learn and grow as a future clinician.
In my free time, I love spending time with my partner and close friends. To stay active, I enjoy doing pilates, playing pickleball, and swimming. I also enjoy traveling and trying new foods.
My Approach
My approach is evidence-based utilizing multimodal techniques. I coordinate care with other health professionals, spiritual leaders, schools, and/or families when necessary to ensure the most adequate, research-informed care possible is utilized. I offer services mostly through teletherapy. Dr. Malak’s South Scottsdale office has been renovated and local patients can be seen in-person. Limited in-person slots are available online, and direct scheduling is recommended.
- Mindfulness-based therapy
- Somatic therapy
- Culturally sensitive therapy
- Attachment theory
- Humanistic therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
- Bowen family systems
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Dialectic behavior therapy (DBT)
- Compassion focused therapy (CFT)
- Psychological assessment
Let’s get to healing!
Using individualized and evidenced-based mental health care, Malak Psychology supports you as the unique being the universe made you to be.
