BSW Registration Pending with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
About Me
I have been providing support to Autistic people for 25 years. For about ten years, my family and friends suggested that I consider formalizing my knowledge through the Bachelor of Social Work process. Honestly, I always felt too insecure. I knew there were challenges in my education that I couldn’t quite articulate. Others saw me as kind and wise, but I was painfully aware of how difficult I found it to learn new things.
After I was diagnosed with Autism, the pieces all came together, and through the use of learning accommodations, my academic profile dramatically changed, giving me the courage to “go for it”. I knew that I always wanted to work in a therapeutic practice with people, and I’ve formalized so much of my knowledge through my education.
Early in my courses, I had the ability to take some additional training in counseling practices. My lived experiences give me a rich understanding of the rewards and challenges of living with, and being part of a family with exceptionalities.
Professional Memberships and Training
· Counselling Skills Level 1 - Dalhousie University
· Solutions Focused Therapy - Dalhousie University
· Solutions Focused Brief Therapy - Dalhousie University
· Crisis Counselling - Dalhousie University
· Queer Centered Social Work Practice - Dalhousie University
· Social Work with Groups - University of Waterloo
· Social Work with Individuals - University of Waterloo
· Trauma Certificate - Wilfrid Laurier University
· Counselling Techniques Certificate - Wilfrid Laurier University
My Philosophy
Affirming, Empowering, Consent-Based Care
I am passionate about supporting Assigned Female at Birth and TransWomen to build a life that is based on self-knowledge, self-acceptance, creating systems of support for daily life, and de-constructing internalized sexism that is self-limiting. I work in allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with a particular focus on supporting folks within the asexual spectrum. I support folks to create more sustainable ways of being in the world.
Stages of Life
Menopause and Perimenopause
As we enter perimenopause and menopause, many women are challenged with the way things are. A lifetime of giving, of raising children, marriage and working can create space for joy and reward, but also for sadness and feelings of loneliness as roles and expectations change. As hormones change, as our bodies change, as we change it my be necessary to reconstruct ourselves. To understand the meaning in our lives in different ways. To acknowledge the importance of self care. For many women this is a time of burn out, of stress, of change. I work with clients to address the challenges of change that occurs at this point in our lives and to work through an empowering lens that acknowledges that as needs and roles change, we change.
Space to be More
As women we are often convinced to make ourselves smaller. To lessen our impact in the world. To laugh more quietly, to be less loud. Not to be demanding. Over a lifetime these comments, these ideas can lead us to a place where we have become diminished. Where we no longer know who we are and how to be in the world as our genuine selves. As part of my work with you, together we will create space to explore you. The you you want to be. What you are in yourself, not what you are to other people.
You are Worth Self Care and Self Compassion
Gentleness
Sometimes it's hard to find gentleness towards our selves. Many women have been raised to please those around us, to give care and compassion to our families, our friends and our co-workers, but we don't always have the ability to give that same care to ourselves. Part of the work I do with clients is to find compassion for ourselves, and through that compassion to find peace... and joy.
You Have a Right To Your Unique Existence
Come As You Are
I will hold space for you, and for all the pieces that make you... you. Part of the work we can do together, is to figure out what supports matter most to you. What do you want to work on? What do you need?
Contact Amanda Broderick Therapy
Please note that this email address is not secure.
Please do not send highly sensitive information through it.
For booking, remote appointments and record keeping I do use Jane, which is a secure privacy-compliant service.
I will do my best to respond within two business days.
If you are in crisis please contact 911 (Canada Wide),
the national crisis line at 988 (Canada Wide), or in Waterloo Wellington, you can contact Here 24/7’s crisis line 1-844-437-3247.