More About Amanda Robinson

My therapeutic approach embodies a holistic biopsychosocial perspective that aims to better understand the client by exploring their entire life experiences and how these experiences can contribute to current challenges. I believe that every individual has the capacity for growth and reaching their highest potential and that, often, it is through some of our greatest struggles that we can realize our greatest strengths.

As a Secwépemc First Nation member, I have personally witnessed the effects of intergenerational trauma persist throughout my family. My capstone research project focused on the ongoing mental health crisis among Indigenous youth as a result of colonization with the proposal of reevaluating current trauma-informed care (TIC) models to include culturally appropriate interventions combined with the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). This experience, paired with overcoming my own complex trauma and grief journey, has led to me developing an innate passion for helping others who are seeking grief or trauma recovery.

I have previous experience working with high-risk youth populations, adults, and seniors faced with challenges in several areas including grief and loss, complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, childhood abuse & neglect, sexual trauma, interpersonal relationships, anxiety & depression, and attachment disruption. I am able to work with a diverse range of presenting problems and tailor interventions to suit the client’s unique needs.

The interventions most often applied when working with me include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), humanistic person-centered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), and Mindfulness. I may also integrate varying Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Polyvagal (PVT) techniques to aid in nervous system dysregulation. However, I fully believe there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to treatment and that there can be no predetermined method of change. Positive change and growth relies heavily on a collaborative therapeutic relationship built on trust in which clients are encouraged to vocalize if something doesn’t feel right for them.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

What is your favourite quote?

“All behaviour has meaning” -Sigmund Freud

When did you know you wanted to become a psychologist?

I knew I wanted to become a psychologist midway through my undergraduate studies. Initially, I had planned to complete my psychology degree and continue on with an after-degree in education and become a school teacher. What I discovered was that the more I learned about how the human mind and behaviour develops, the more I understood how my own life experiences shaped the person I had become. This catapulted my healing journey and I was able to see first-hand how struggles could be shifted into triumphs, resulting in a sincere desire to help others shift their own struggles into strengths. I’ve found myself drawn to the work of Dr. Bruce Perry whose trauma research focuses on asking the question “what happened to you?” instead of “what’s wrong with you?”, which perfectly sums up how I feel our work as therapists should begin.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with Distinction)

Athabasca University Master of Counselling

City University of Seattle

Affiliations

Psychologist Association of Alberta (Student Membership)

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Professional Membership)

Certifications

EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing (PESI)

Transforming Trauma with EFIT (PESI)

Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED level C

Trauma Informed Care eLearning Certificate, Alberta Health Services (AHS)

Indigenous Canada: Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), University of Alberta: Coursera

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Administration QPR: Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program, Imagine Institute for Learning

Understanding Loss and Grief During Celebrations and Holidays, Imagine Institute for Learning

Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans Course on Research Ethics (TCPS 2: CORE)

Positive Behavior Supports

Languages

• English

My areas of focus:

Effectus (Cognitive & Performance)

• Caring for Someone with Cognitive Impairment

Grief & Loss Care

• Grief and Loss
• Losing Someone to Suicide
• Loss of a Child
• Loss of a Loved One

Other Areas

• Emotional Regulation

Trauma Care

• Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Motor Vehicle Accident Trauma
• Types of Trauma

Uniformed Personnel & First Responders

• Supporting Someone who is Grieving

I have experience in:

• Adolescent and Teen Issues
• Alternative Sex Behaviours
• Anxiety
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults
• Behavioural Issues
• Blended Family Adjustment
• Caring for Someone with Cognitive Impairment
• Child & Youth Anxiety
• Child & Youth Stress and Trauma
• Common Mental Health Disorders
• Communication and Negotiation
• Compassion Fatigue
• Death or Loss of a Pet
• Depression
• Divorce or Separation
• Family Caregiver Stress
• Family Issues
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Learning Disorders
• Life Transitions and Adjustment Issues
• Male Sexual Issues
• Marriage and Relationship Concerns
• Physical Abuse
• Relationship Dependence
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Seniors and the Elderly Issues
• Sexual Assault and Abuse
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Trauma
• Youth 13 to 15 Years
• Youth 16 to 17 Years

My treatment approaches:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Behavioural Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Compassion Focused Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Faith Based Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Grief Work
• Internal Family Systems
• Mindfulness Therapy
• Person Centered Therapy