About
Before you read about me, I would first like to share a quote which really speaks to me, and supports my world view when it comes to healing.
“Something amazing happens when we surrender and just love. We melt into another world, a realm of power already within us. The world changes when we change. The world softens when we soften. The world loves us when we choose to love the world.”
It is my firm belief that people can and do change, and this applies at any age! This belief not only comes from the healing of my own traumas and experiencing that transformation first-hand. I have also witnessed the same healing and resolution in so many people, from young people to older adults. We are never stuck in one spot, physically, mentally, emotionally or even spiritually. Change is the only constant.
I was trained as an Occupational Therapist, and worked as a health professional for more than 15 years in schools, universities, public health systems, and more recently, in private practice.
My training and experience enable me to work with a combination of therapeutic strategies, including:
- coaching
- solution-focused therapy
- somatic-oriented work
- bringing balance and calm the brain and nervous system
- techniques to integrate new ways of thinking
Most of the people I have worked with have been struggling with their mental health and balancing their emotions due to anxiety, depression, anger, relationship difficulties, additions, post traumatic stress, childhood or teen traumas, disease and chronic pain.
Healing is a journey and a re-connection with the deepest parts of you. It’s an adventure that brings about change….for the better. It can seem scary, but it is also an opportunity to create a new and more fulfilling world for yourself, and the people around you. If this speaks to you, I would be honoured to walk that path with you.
—Amanda, MSc.OT
What you can expect when working with me
Explore your thought landscape
We will identify what triggers intense emotions and physical sensations. We'll look at how you manage them. We’ll explore the stories your mind narrates to you about the people in your life, the world in general and your place within it.
Acknowledge emotions
You'll learn to acknowledge and experience emotions fully, rather than suppress or stuff them down, so that these emotions are felt, processed and integrated within you. This can result in a sense of lightness and allow you to move forwards.
Enhance mindfulness and self-awareness
We will cultivate emotional balance in your life by working on developing your emotional intelligence. I will teach you strategies that can help you to widen the space between trigger and reaction, introducing moments of calm and self-control where you have choice in your responses, instead of defaulting to automatic reaction mode. This will impact the people around you and improve their interactions with you. I will support you with changing the neural pathways in your brain, ingrained thought patterns and behaviours, to achieve long-lasting transformation.
Testimonials
“I can't express enough how Amanda, my online therapist, has been an absolute game-changer in my journey towards conquering anxiety. When I initially sought help, I was navigating through a maze of worries that seemed insurmountable. Amanda, with her empathetic and understanding approach, not only provided me with a safe space to share my thoughts but also equipped me with invaluable tools to cope with and overcome my anxiety. The personalized strategies she introduced me to have been nothing short of transformative. These practical techniques have not only alleviated my anxiety but have empowered me to take control of my thoughts and reactions, ultimately improving my overall quality of life. What sets Amanda apart is her genuine commitment to her clients' well-being. Her unwavering support and encouragement provided me with the strength to face my fears head-on. I now find myself armed with a toolbox of skills that continue to serve me well beyond our sessions.
If you are seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and effective therapist, look no further than Amanda. Her dedication to her clients' mental health and her ability to make the intricacies of CBT accessible have been a beacon of light on my journey to mental wellness. I wholeheartedly recommend Amanda's services to anyone seeking a thoughtful and transformative therapeutic experience. I am very thankful for the positive impact she has had on my life.”
“Sometimes the best things happen by chance! The reason I initally got in contact with Amanda is that the therapist I was assigned to on a third party website did not have any free slots...Luckily!
Since the very first session talking with Amanda has been very easy and she has been very open minded, open-hearted and warm.
She helped me process some persistent issues in a very short time and even now that I am in a definitely better place I am always happy to get in touch with her and I know that if I really need someone she has my back!
I would warmly recommend her to anyone.”
“I have overwhelming joy and love to share when I think or speak of my therapist Amanda!! Prior to working with Amanda I had tried several other therapists and online services and I was always disappointed. Yet I knew I needed someone to help me work through some of my “stuff” so I persisted and met Amanda.
From our first conversation to our most recent Amanda has helped me, my mental health, and all those that I interact with on daily basis as well. She listens incredibly well and will pickup on the smallest of things I say that somehow turn out to be key to change.
When I started working with Amanda I was a burnt out overworked Entrepreneur. Today I am a full of life semi retired investor. Really. I was at my wits end when she met. Stuck in the loop of my reactions and programming that I had programmed for 40 years. I couldn’t get out of my own way. Amanda helped me first to start to just notice things. Things in my body in my surroundings etc. and then slowly over time she helped me change my reactions, perceptions and thoughts and now I feel confident in my coping skills (many I lacked prior to working with Amanda), reactions and responses.
I’m surely not perfect and will never be but I’m really happy content and futilely in my life and have great relationships due in many parts to my work with Amanda. Thank you!!”
“Before I found Amanda, I had been through 2 addiction counsellors with very little success. They were highly qualified therapists according to their accolades and degrees, but when it came to connecting on a personal level they lacked the necessary “people skills”.
Amanda takes a whole-hearted approach to therapy. From the first session, it was evident that she possessed an exceptional level of empathy. Her compassionate nature made it easy for me to open up and share my deepest thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
Her genuine concern for my well-being was conveyed in every word and gesture, creating an environment of trust and understanding. She is multi-faceted in her training and has incredible talent for connecting with people on multiple levels. She tailored her approach to suit my unique needs, employing a wide range of techniques during our sessions. Whether it was active listening, providing insightful guidance, or utilizing various therapeutic modalities, she always found the most effective means to connect and help me through my challenges.
I cannot express enough how fortunate I was to have had the opportunity to work with such a compassionate, patient, and wonderful therapist. Her empathy and exceptional ability to connect in various ways provided a truly transformative experience.
I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a skilled professional who can offer the support needed to navigate life's challenges.”
“When you start therapy, there is a-lot of apprehension about who you will talk to, what they will be like, will they judge you and can they help you.
Amanda’s approach is gentle and relaxed, making it easy to unwind, talking about small things like trusted friends, slowly she helped me to delve into deeply interconnected issues, which i never thought about to help rewire and forgive. There is no pressure at all to sign up or keep going making it easy to feel secure.
Relax, you are in good hands.”
“I had been struggling with my thoughts and perceptions for a long time and had sought advice from multiple therapists but was never able to tackle them and this was putting a strain on my mental health. Luckily for me, I found Amanda and what a great thing that was! She is caring, compassionate, professional, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I love each session I have with her and always feel empowered and peaceful afterwards. Thank you for being amazing!”