Amanda Neves Therapy

Practicing in the field for the past nine years, I have lovingly built a sustained practice in which the quality of the therapy relationship is at the forefront of our client work. Being an AEDP therapist (certified Level 2), my approach centres on the brain’s capacity for healing using experiential and somatic techniques, as we navigate attachment wounds to promote a more grounded and authentic sense of self. I am also trained in other interrelated approaches including ISTDP and IFS, to help support protective but lingering parts of you that have been helpful in the past, but now cause hardship.

Many of my dear clients have faced challenges including depression and anxiety, relationship struggles, identity issues, and stress around life transitions. Others have experienced attachment ruptures and trauma within their lifetime. No matter the issue at hand, I assist clients in riding their emotional waves in order to repair the nervous system’s sense of safety, so that you can walk away feeling more centered and clear about your life’s path. Outside of the session room, I hold a faculty position at the University of Guelph-Humber, lecturing in the areas of counselling, mental health and addictions, and issues in advocacy and social justice, and support learning as an experiential assistant with the AEDP Institute in New York.

You are worthy of a life of peace, warmth, centredness, and compassion. The fact that you are here and reading this speaks volumes. Finding the right therapist to thoughtfully support oneself through life’s ups and downs is no easy feat. It is my hope to use a warm, gradual, and evidence-based approach to join you on this path. I support adults who may be experiencing anxiety, grief, emotional dysregulation, workplace stress, and imposter syndrome as a post-secondary student, new graduate, or being well into your career.

My approach is client-centred and eclectic, drawing upon such modalities as cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, internal family systems therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. I emphasize the importance of gradual exploratory work to support you in beginning to better understand yourself and your experiences, while also creating an environment conducive to structure and stepped progress. Building human-to-human trust is key to collaborative and client-centred therapeutic work, and that is what I strive to create with you in this space. And I generally don’t pass up an opportunity to sprinkle in some light humour! Let’s see if I’m the right fit for you. It would be my honour to walk alongside you as you take this courageous step towards supporting your wellness.

We’re all looking for healing and a sense of connection - it is so very human of you to even be in search of a therapist for support. Hi, I’m Zahra, and I’d love to guide you on this bumpy road called life. I help Gen Z and Millennial clients improve their relationship with themselves, their ability to manage anxiety and stress, and help them feel more fulfilled with their life choices. This is about healing and strengthening from the inside, and most importantly, not alone. If this relates to you, I would be humbled in walking you through your journey of care.

To help my clients regain control in their lives, unlearn old habits, and heal through their own expertise, I utilize multiple modalities and techniques. These include solution-focused therapy, mindfulness practices, CBT, and narrative therapy approaches. My work is both trauma-informed and anti-oppressive in nature. Welcoming you to a safe and calming space that is free of judgement is my ultimate goal. In today’s world we often find ourselves stuck in “go” mode. Within our relationship, I hope you will find that space to press pause, to breathe and reflect, in order to allow your natural capacity to heal and grow to begin. Let’s chat to see if we’d be a good fit.

You have been doing the best you can, to survive in this world, with the information that you’ve been given. Even so, I understand that feeling when something is off, when we aren’t fully in alignment with ourselves and how those feelings can impact how we show up in our day to day. I practice from an integrationist perspective, meaning that I will meet you where you are, as you are, and together, we will find what works best for you. My goal is to create a warm and safe space that is built on trust and empathy so that, together, we can process and move through emotions, unhelpful narratives, and get you to a place where you are feeling more connected to yourself and living in a truly authentic way. I currently hold a Level 1 training in AEDP, a modality that places nervous system regulation through a secure therapeutic relationship at the forefront of its aim.

As a queer woman with lived experience managing my own mental health, I know how transformative the therapy process can be when someone feels validated, heard, and empowered. I know that shifts are possible, and you do not have to do this work alone! I work with folks of any identity but have a particular affinity for working with queer folks! I really look forward to meeting you and hearing your story. 

**Offering both in-person and remote sessions.** Living a life of disconnection, anxiety and loneliness can be exhausting, especially when you are wearing a mask to show the world around you you’re fine, when you’re not. Showing others the hurting side of you can be a vulnerable, scary process, and I’m here to help you through the other side of this difficult time. With over 15 years of experience, I support folks thrive through experiences of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I also support couples improve communication and connection. I strive to work alongside you to understand your personal struggles, face them with courage and resilience, and create a plan to overcome.

I practice various types of modalities such as body-based mindfulness, ACT, and other cognitive therapies, like CBT. Ultimately, I provide what fits you best. The goal together is to leave you feeling more like the self you want to be, a person that doesn’t have to work so hard to feel present, engaged and satisfied in daily life. There are many ways in which to process, challenge, and learn the skills you can use to face and overcome adversity. Our humanity requires us to lean on each other during challenging life moments, and I would be honoured to support your journey to better mental health.

As a woman of colour and a child of immigrants, I help folks who are faced with multiple identities and cultures, and the relationship and identity challenges that come with this. I believe therapy should explore both the impacts of intergenerational trauma, as well as your elements of intergenerational strength that have helped you thrive. With compassion, warmth, and 6 years of psychotherapy experience, I support my clients in their process of healing, breaking cycles and building a healthier sense of self that is separate from the generational patterns that be. I also provide specialized support in pregnancy issues and infant loss, and perinatal/postpartum mental health, in addition to specific anxiety challenges such as OCD.

Using an attachment and trauma-informed lens, we will first build a space of feeling “safe enough” together, in order to help your own body come back to feeling safe and confident inside. To build that safety and security, we will draw on pieces from multiple therapy models, including relational and somatic approaches, and cognitive modalities including DBT, ACT and CBT. Whether you are starting therapy for the first time or you have previous therapy experience and are reaching back out, it is very courageous to decide that you and your mental health are a priority. I’m so glad you’ve made it here and I would be honoured to be a part of your journey.

Through my years of experience, I offer compassionate support to folks who navigate the intricate terrain of anxiety and depression, and people experiencing emotional ups and downs. My work also aims to support those grappling with the impact of substance use, gambling, or excessive gaming and technology reliance. I extend my services to support the loved ones of those facing these issues, recognizing the profound ripple effects they can have on relationships and families. If you're seeking a path towards healing and sustainable change, I offer a safe space and tailored strategies that empower you to take on your life.

Drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed approaches, I offer personalized support to help you identify and achieve your goals. Together, we'll navigate your unique challenges and cultivate practical strategies so you can get back to feeling like your best self. If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-understanding and growth, I'm here to walk alongside you. Let's collaborate to build a life filled with greater emotional balance and meaningful fulfillment. Take the first step towards a brighter future by reaching out today.

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. As a social worker, I use my lived experience as part of the BIPOC community to help you navigate difficult relationships, and their impact on your life. Oftentimes, the ones who you care about the most contribute to the most amount of pain. My gentle presence helps you navigate the push and pull of wanting these connections, while also maintaining a sense of safety and personal peace. Session by session, we collaboratively make “right” the common conflicting feelings that arise in complex relationships, so you have more space “inside” to be the adult you want to be.

In order to reach your goals, I’ll share skills from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and other evidence based approaches. I believe the approaches should fit what your needs are, so let us work together to find what fits for you. What ever lead you to seek out support, know that we are not meant hold life’s challenges on our own. I would be so pleased to work together, so let’s chat to get you on your way.

**Offering both in-person and remote sessions.** Choosing a therapist that's right for you can feel overwhelming, and finding a good fit is important when sharing life’s difficulties. If this is your first time seeking out a therapist or if you've done this before, it is always my aim to work alongside you, at your individual pace. I collaborate with young people, adults, and couples dealing with stress, anxiety and low mood, relationship struggles, experiences of grief and loss, or even when things just don't feel right. Learning more about your perspective, and focusing our time together on your goals is key to my work with you.

My structured approach balances taking care of emotions, while offering concrete strategies to manage your mental health. I use elements of solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices. All in all, I hope for this to feel like a place of where you can receive care and support. You are more than your current stressors. You deserve space, kindness, and nurturing. My style aims for this to feel comforting and easeful, but also structured and supportive. Relating as human beings (and sometimes with some humour!) in an authentic way can help with that. Let’s connect to see if I’m the right person to support you through this journey.

No longer taking new clients. It's easy to convince yourself that things are fine, even though you keep bumping up against the same problems. Without gentle examination, these challenges can remain longer than expected. Whether you are struggling on the job or in your personal relationships due to feelings of anxiety or low mood, trying to cope with memories of a traumatic experience, or the grief of losing someone close to you, your lack of comfort with the status quo is signaling - it's time for a change. My dedication to the therapeutic process is rooted in being a witness to the lives of others, so you can leave feeling strengthened and centred.

As a registered social worker with formal CBT (Level II) training, I view the therapy room as a place of collaboration. My approach is curious, gentle and open-minded, ever moving you toward your goals. You deserve to feel better! There is no one-size-fits-all answer to life's challenges but we can work together toward creating more of the unique life you desire. Meaningful, tangible change is what we're after! I’m looking forward to building a supportive therapeutic relationship together.

No longer taking new clients. Our environments - current, historical, and structural - shape who we are and the stories we tell ourselves. Challenging relationships, unsupportive environments, along with life transitions and stressors can impact your sense of self, how you view the world, and the path you walk. To those around us, this may present as anxiety, low mood, lack of motivation, anger/irritability, isolation from people and activities of interest. Within ourselves, this may present as feelings of stress, shame, guilt, and resentment towards the stories that make up our life thus far. 

As an individual with lived experience with ADHD, I strive for an environment that is collaborative and allows you to work at your own pace and space. My relationship first practice pulls from AEDP (level 1), acceptance and commitment therapy, and internal family systems that work toward building a greater understanding of the self and finding ways to view your life story from a new perspective. Doing the work doesn't mean you have to do the heavy lifting alone.