Hello, my name is Amanda Youssef (she/her), Founder and Executive Director of Valley Connections Counselling. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a Certified Koru Teacher of Mindfulness and Meditation with the Centre for Koru Mindfulness in North Carolina.

My academic background includes a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (M.Ed.) from the University of Toronto and an Honours Degree in Psychology (Hons. BA) from York University. Staying current in my field is essential to me, so I regularly engage in advanced training and workshops. My clinical training includes Trauma-informed Mindfulness, Emotion Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Imago Couples Therapy, The Gottman Couples Method, Internal Family Systems, and Clinical Supervision.

A Seasoned Psychotherapist in Relationships

I have been working in the human services sector and mental health field since 2009, providing psychotherapy and counselling with over 15,000 client contact hours. My main focus, both in my research, writing, and client work, is relationships. I firmly believe that while we may be wounded in relationships, healing and growth are most effectively achieved within a therapeutic connection.

I offer individual, couples, and family therapy virtually through Valley Connections Counselling. My areas of specialization center around the intricate dynamics of relationships. I support couples on the verge of divorce, helping them explore paths to resolution or peaceful separation. For those embarking on new journeys, I provide guidance to new relationships considering cohabitation, ensuring a strong and healthy foundation. My work also extends to significant transitions within relationships, such as the prenatal period and/or traumatic birth experiences, and the myriad challenges that come with parenting, offering tailored strategies and support to families. I am trained in three distinct models of couples therapy, underscoring my deep commitment to this area.

Additionally, I work primarily with women’s issues, including support for eating disorders, emotion dysregulation, mood disorders, and anxiety, all of which often have significant relational components.

Dedication to Mentorship and Community

From 2010 to 2017, in addition to my private practice, I worked at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, within the Student Wellness Centre. There, I provided individual and couples therapy and developed and facilitated various groups, including “Building Healthy Relationships,” “Dialectical Behaviour Therapy/Emotion Regulation Skills,” “A Group for Every Body (Body Image and Disordered Eating),” and “Koru Mindfulness and Meditation.”

Beyond my direct client work, I have devoted a considerable amount of my professional life, since 2016, to mentoring, supervising, and providing consultation for fellow mental health practitioners, including interns and RPs. I’m deeply committed to nurturing the growth of other practitioners, which has naturally led me into a leadership position in our field.

My Commitment to Your Journey

I thrive on engaging in work I love. Being a psychotherapist and meditation instructor are integral components of who I am; I naturally gravitate toward building connections. I, too, have experience sitting in the client’s chair, seeking my own therapy and support throughout various stages of my life. This personal journey has profoundly shaped my understanding of the importance of a strong therapeutic connection. I strive to be the kind of counsellor and psychotherapist I would seek for my own support, and I have intentionally modified my practice to bridge any gaps I have experienced in receiving counselling myself.

I am committed to making Valley Connections Counselling a safe and nurturing environment where clients can heal and grow. I would be happy to hear from you regarding your experiences here or if you would like more information about our services. If you would like to book an appoinment with me for therapy, professional consultation, or clinical supervision, please feel free to book online or call our office.