Amanda Bacchus, M.S.W., R.S.W., R.P., R.M.F.T
Amanda, the founder and director of the Vaughan Relationship Centre, is a compassionate therapist who believes in tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each individual and their specific situation. With over 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist, she understands the challenges her clients face. Amanda’s mission is to ensure she provides effective and ethical support by regularly consulting with peers to provide her clients with the best quality of care. She is genuinely invested in supporting clients in achieving their goals.
Couples Counselling
Amanda is passionate about working with couples to understand recurring arguments, resolve relationship injuries, overcome betrayals, and rediscover connection. Recognizing that many couples possess communication skills, misunderstandings often lead to communication issues. She aims to help couples break free from this cycle and foster more connected relationships. Amanda is adept at addressing sexually related issues within relationships, including intimacy, performance anxiety and frequency.
Couples Counselling for One
Acknowledging that not all couples are ready for counselling, Amanda supports individuals who may be grappling with relationship issues on their own. Whether one partner seeks support or an individual is navigating relationship challenges independently, Amanda has been helpful in facilitating resolution.
Individuals
Amanda offers support to individuals dealing with various challenges, including anxiety, domestic violence, unresolved childhood issues, anger management, and low self-esteem. She empowers clients by helping them understand the underlying causes of these feelings and nurturing a compassionate attitude towards themselves.
Family Counselling
Amanda particularly enjoys working with families with adult children, guiding them to understand each other and move past misunderstandings for more harmonious connections.
Counselling approach
Amanda incorporates humour into her sessions when appropriate and collaborates with her clients because she understands that sustainable change requires solutions that align with their needs. Throughout the therapeutic process, she invites her clients’ input, caring equally about both sides of the situation and aims to see her clients improve the circumstances causing distress.
Specialized focus on:
- Couples Counselling/ Marital Counselling
- Ambivalence about the relationship
- Communication
- Anger Management
- Having the same argument over and over again
- Betrayals or Affairs
- Family Counselling with adult children and parent
- Anxiety
- Past childhood issues/family of origin work
- Individual counselling with relationships
- Sex Therapy (related to intimacy issues)
Education:
- Masters of Social Work (MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University)
- Accreditation from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Specializing in Psychology (from York University)
Professional associations & designations:
- Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
- Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT)
- Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO)
Amanda uses a variety of effective psychotherapies and counselling techniques, such as:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Gottman Method
- Narrative Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Relevant Trainings:
- Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (ICEEFT)
- Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (ICEEFT)
- Discernment Counselling (Doherty Relationship Institute)
- Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program (University of Guelph)
- Integrative Sex and Couples Certificate Training (PESI – Tammy Nelson)
- Clinical Supervision as Reflective Practice (CAMFT)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1