THE STORY BEHIND Rooted Within 

I am a mother of three and a guide for parents seeking a calmer, more intentional home and family life. For more than fifteen years, I’ve worked at the intersection of child development, psychology, and family rhythms. My years as a school psychologist taught me how children learn and how much a child’s environment shapes their experience. Motherhood taught me how family life really works, the beauty, the overwhelm, the pivots, and the little moments that matter most.

I created Rooted Within because I kept noticing a need for grounded support that honored families’ real, everyday lives. Parents wanted guidance that supported their regulation and helped home feel steadier and more connected. I wanted to offer a way of working that felt practical and rooted in who families truly are, providing support that meets the whole child and the whole family where they are.

In my work, I blend developmental understanding with lifestyle practices, simple routines, and attuned guidance to help parents feel steady and resourced in their everyday life. As a licensed educational psychologist, I also offer integrative evaluations when they are helpful. The heart of all my work is guiding families toward something simple and connected, grounded in everyday life and aligned with their values.

Whether you’re here for reflections on Substack, one to one support, or a gentler approach to family life, thank you for being here. I hope this space feels like a place to land.

About Rooted Within | Educational Psychologist Amanda Handleson | Whole-Child Approach

Evaluations for parents and students seeking insight into ability, processing, and learning.
Each evaluation includes formal, standardized testing and moves beyond scores to consider how a child’s strengths, temperament, relationships, and developmental stage shape their learning experience. Rooted in the whole-child process, evaluations offer integrated insight, clear next steps, and formal diagnosis when appropriate.

1:1 | online & IN PERSON

rooted within 
evaluations

One-on-one sessions for parents and professionals seeking clarity, reassurance, or direction.

Grounded in the rooted within process, these sessions provide attuned understanding, practical strategies, and insight into learning, regulation, and development. Office Hours are flexible, bookable as needed, and designed to leave you feeling resourced and clear about next steps.

rooted within office hours

1:1 | online

rooted within office hours

The Rooted Within Collective is a growing space for professionals dedicated to collaborative, whole-child support.

Here you’ll find co-led evaluations, shared projects, and opportunities to connect across disciplines, bringing educators, therapists, and care teams together to create meaningful change for children and families.

rooted within
collective

in collaboration | Online & in person

offerings

 Her ability to communicate complex information clearly has been crucial in helping families and educators understand their children's needs and strengths, particularly benefiting newer teachers and parents.

colleague &
speech and language pathologist

KIND WORDS

former supervisor  & school administrator

KIND WORDS

Her ability to communicate complex information clearly has been crucial in helping families and educators understand their children's needs and strengths, particularly benefiting newer teachers and parents.

colleague & education specialist

KIND WORDS

It is rare to find an assessor as nimble and effective as Amanda. Her competence, professionalism, insight, and natural ability to connect with students and earn the trust of their families make her one of the most outstanding school psychologists I have had the pleasure of working with.

Rooted Within offers a grounded, intentional approach to parenting — one that honors your child’s development and the daily rhythms that shape family life. Here, you’ll find space to reflect, reset, and create a home rhythm that feels supportive rather than overwhelming.

Every child has a unique way of moving through the world.We start by understanding your child as a whole person and noticing what the everyday moments are asking of your home.

This support meets you in your current season and helps you feel more anchored, more equipped, and more connected to what matters most.

rooted support for
families and children