Amanda Heywood
Registered Psychotherapist
MDiv, Masters in Clinical Counselling; Hon BSc, Psychology
- Certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Emotion Focused Therapy
- Brainspotting
I am a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in complex and relational trauma, developmental trauma, relationship issues, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and self-esteem.
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My philosophy is rooted in this liberating truth: You are not a problem. Our focus is not on "fixing" you but on helping you to shift patterns that no longer serve you so you can develop new ways of engaging with yourself and others.
If you feel stuck and helpless because you are repeating the same patterns in your relationships, you are not alone. If you feel overwhelmed by your inner critic, or you find yourself second-guessing your emotions, you are not alone. If you sense that you want to experience something different in your life, I celebrate that. You deserve the change you are looking for, and I am here to support you on your journey.
Would you like to become the person your younger self needed? Together, we will work collaboratively (and gently) to create a space where you can comfortably explore and shift patterns. We can go at a pace that feels right for you, helping you to show up more authentically in your relationships and to feel kinder toward yourself.
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We can also create a space where you can explore society, your sense of self, and your experience in this world. We can examine how your social identity intersects with your current challenges and what it means to fully embrace who you are.
I completed my graduate studies at Tyndale University and undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. I have since completed training in Emotion-Focused Therapy and Brainspotting Therapy. I’ve also completed a certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies, and I am currently completing training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
Along with my education and training, I bring my own lived experiences. I also understand the unique emotional challenges children of immigrants face, like the tendency to downplay emotional hurt because of the pressure to be grateful. No matter what your background is, your story matters and you deserve to be seen and heard.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Subjects:
Anxiety, Depression, Childhood Trauma, Intergenerational Trauma, Complex Trauma, Relational Trauma, Attachment Injuries, Developmental Injuries, Self-Esteem, Self-Identity, Self-Criticism, Co-dependency, Collective Trauma, Racial Trauma, Cultural Identity, Nervous System Dysregulation, Emotional Dysregulation, Relationship Issues, Life Transitions
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Types of Therapy:
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic, Polyvagal, Internal Family Systems (informed)/Parts Work, Brainspotting, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Attachment Focused
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My Pronouns:
she/her
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Beyond my Work:
I love to dance. Growing up, I took ballet and tap lessons and I have always felt a strong connection to movement. I believe dance is why I resonate so deeply with somatic approaches -- it helps me connect to my body and express my emotions. As a highly sensitive person (HSP) I feel things deeply and am moved by art, nature, and storytelling. In my free time I enjoy hiking, baking chocolate chip cookies, and spending time with my loved ones, including my spouse and our Latvian-born cat.
More about me, and how I work...
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Traumatic experiences leave memories not only in our minds but also in our bodies. Your body holds onto these memories and develops ways to protect you from future threats. Over time, these survival strategies can dominate how you relate to yourself and others, making it difficult to form meaningful connections. Through Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), we will: - Understand the coping strategies that have supported you - Discover what your body needs to change the patterns causing you to feel stuck - Help you reconnect with your body so you can heal and move beyond survival mode
Brainspotting (BSP)
Where you look affects how you feel; this is the premise of Brainspotting (BSP). BSP is a therapy approach that uses particular points in your field of vision to access unresolved trauma stored in a deeper part of your brain. Bilateral sounds, like nature sounds, are commonly used in BSP to assist in regulating your nervous system while processing. During BSP sessions, I'll provide a supportive presence, helping you navigate the processing of your emotional memories in a contained way.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) (informed)/Parts Work
There are no bad parts of you; just parts that have been forced to take on extreme roles, working to protect you. Through the use of IFS (informed), we'll collaborate to help you in healing these protective and wounded parts, so you can experience an inner sense of harmony with yourself and all your parts.
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