Meet our child counsellor and play therapist, Amanda!
- shinephysiotherapy
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Amanda (she/her) is a registered clinical counsellor who specializes in child counselling. She is offering play based mental health therapy to kids under 10 or to any child who is better suited to play therapy. Amanda is passionate about supporting and advocating for neurodiverse children including autism and ADHD, and she provides neurodiversity affirming play therapy. Amanda can support kids who have anxiety, depression, a history of trauma or need mental health support through big life changes.
We asked Amanda few questions to get to know her better!
What made you want to be a counsellor for kids?
I think giving kids a space to be themselves and feel empowered is an incredibly important experience for our kiddos. To be able to provide that through early intervention helps kiddos and families improve their quality of life and set them up for success for their futures.
Do you have a favourite dinosaur?
My favourite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.
What's your favourite part of living in the Okanagan so far?
Living in the Okanagan feels like I am on vacation every day.
What do you wish people knew about play therapy for kids?
I wish people knew that play therapy is a great outlet for kids to express their internal world through their play. Play therapy isn't all about words or talking. Kids being able to play out what is meaningful to them and trying to figure out their world through their play is an outlet that not all kids get the chance to experience. Play therapy is also a marathon not a sprint. It can take up to 5-6 months to start seeing progress towards goals. Every kiddo is different.
What is your favourite toy or game at Shine?
Hard to pick one, but I really like my giant dragon stuffy, playdoh, and the sand trays.
How do you relax and recharge your batteries after work?
I like to go out to eat, we take our dog Lilly to the dog beach often, watch tv, play games, hang out with friends and family, and explore what's around us.
Amanda is currently accepting new clients including families who want to use Autism Funding! You can book with her online or send us an email to get in touch!
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