Children, Teens & Families

Master of Public Health (MPH), Registered Psychotherapist (RP), regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), specializing in child, youth, and family therapy.

Amanda brings over 20 years of experience supporting children, youth, and families, with a professional background spanning early childhood development, adolescent mental health, family counselling, and psychotherapy.

Her experience allows her to understand how emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs change as children grow, and to adapt her approach to each stage of development.

Early Childhood (Ages 0–6)

With a background in early childhood education and infant mental health, Amanda has supported young children and their caregivers through developmental, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Her experience includes working collaboratively with parents, educators, and childcare professionals to strengthen emotional understanding, positive interactions, and supportive environments.

School-Age Children (Ages 6–12)

Amanda helps children navigate anxiety, emotional regulation, behavioural difficulties, social challenges, and developmental differences. She incorporates age-appropriate activities, creative expression, and practical coping strategies to help children feel comfortable, understood, and more confident managing everyday challenges.

Adolescents and Teenagers (Ages 13–18)

Amanda has extensive experience supporting adolescents experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, identity development, family conflict, and complex mental health needs. She provides a respectful, collaborative space where teenagers can explore their experiences, develop emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and build independence.

Parents, Caregivers, and Families

Throughout her career, Amanda has recognized that supporting a child's emotional well-being often involves the family around them. She works collaboratively with parents and caregivers to strengthen communication, understand challenging behaviours, navigate developmental transitions, and build healthier family relationships.

Amanda is straightforward, personable, and comfortable meeting children where they are. She knows that some children arrive ready to talk, while others would rather be anywhere else. She doesn't expect immediate trust or cooperation. Instead, she gets to know the child, finds ways to connect, and allows the relationship to develop naturally.

Her sessions are flexible and responsive. A conversation might happen over a game of cards, through drawing, or while exploring something that matters to the child. If a child becomes overwhelmed, Amanda recognizes when to change direction rather than push through.

One of Amanda's priorities is improving communication between children and their parents. She looks beyond the immediate concern to understand what the child may be experiencing, how others are responding, and where misunderstandings may be occurring. Parents are involved in ways that support treatment while respecting the child's privacy and independence.

Amanda works with children, adolescents, adults, and families, bringing extensive experience in child development, psychotherapy, and family mental health.

Whether supporting a child with difficult emotions, a teenager navigating personal challenges, an adult managing mental health concerns, or parents seeking guidance, Amanda brings a thoughtful, practical approach tailored to each situation.

Amanda recognizes that a child's behaviour is often only part of the picture. Emotions, developmental needs, relationships, and everyday experiences can all influence how children respond to the world around them.

Rather than focusing solely on changing behaviours, Amanda takes time to understand what may be contributing to a child's difficulties and what support would be most helpful. She adapts her approach to each child's age, personality, and comfort level, using conversation, creative activities, and evidence-informed therapeutic strategies.

An important part of Amanda's work is helping parents and children better understand one another. She involves caregivers where appropriate, offering practical guidance to improve communication, respond to emotional and behavioural challenges, and support progress outside of therapy.

Her approach combines the clinical skills of a psychotherapist with her extensive background in child development and family support.

Amanda draws from a range of evidence-based and developmentally informed approaches, including:

•  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — helping children and teens understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours connect, and building real-world coping skills

•  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — helping clients respond more flexibly to difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward what matters to them

•  Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) — a structured, evidence-based approach supporting teens and adults in processing the impact of trauma

•  Play- and Art-Based Approaches — using play, drawing, and creative activities to help children express what they can’t yet put into words

•  Triple P – Positive Parenting Program — as an accredited provider, offering parents practical, evidence-based strategies to support their child at home

•  Developmental & Family-Centred Approaches — drawing on her early childhood education background to understand each child within the context of their growth and family

• Childhood anxiety, fears, and excessive worry
• Emotional outbursts, frustration, and difficulty managing emotions
• Emotional regulation and coping skills
• Behavioural and adjustment difficulties
• ADHD, attention, and impulsivity-related challenges
• Self-esteem, confidence, and emotional expression
• Friendship, peer relationships, and social challenges
• Developmentally appropriate, play-informed and creative therapy

• Autism-related emotional and behavioural challenges
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Co-occurring developmental and mental health concerns (dual diagnosis)
• Emotional regulation and coping with sensory sensitivities
• Social communication and relationship difficulties
• Parent and caregiver guidance for developmental and complex needs

• Anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns
• Emotional regulation and behavioural challenges
• Self-esteem, identity, and confidence
• Peer relationships and social difficulties
• Family conflict and parent-teen communication
• School-related stress and life transitions
• Trauma-related distress and difficult experiences
• Emotional and developmental challenges during adolescence

• Parent-child communication and relationship difficulties
• Understanding and responding to challenging behaviours
• Parenting strategies and positive behaviour support
• Family stress, conflict, and relationship challenges
• Early childhood parenting and caregiver consultation (ages 0–6)
• Supporting children through family changes and transitions
• Family therapy and collaborative caregiver involvement

• Trauma-related emotional and psychological difficulties
• Post-traumatic stress symptoms
• Distressing or overwhelming life experiences
• Trauma-related beliefs, emotions, and coping patterns
• Trauma-focused psychotherapy, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), where clinically appropriate

• Anxiety and depression
• Stress and emotional difficulties
• Trauma-related concerns and PTSD
• First responders and their spouses
• Anxiety associated with dizziness, balance, and vestibular conditions
• Emotional adjustment and life transitions