Amanda Young, B. Comm, MSW

Headshot of Amanda Young

I have been working as a therapist since 2012 and specialize in working with parents, couples and families. I am intensively trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. DBT is a type of therapy developed to help people better manage their emotions and learn skills to feel more empowered in their life.

I am passionate about helping my clients strengthen the well being of their relationships because the research is clear: when our relationships are struggling it impacts our individual well being and vice versa. I want you to know that there is research backed help available to help you and your most important relationships.

I also have advanced training in Emotion Focused Therapy and use this modality when appropriate.

I have some individual clients who are often senior executives in business and law. These clients may call our work together “executive coaching,” and others may describe our work as “therapy”. Either way, it’s about helping people achieve their goals.

Centre for DBT & Families training

Trainer and Supervisor, Centre for DBT and Families, Boston, MA.

I am a trainer and supervisor, representing Canada, on an international group of DBT therapists who specialize in providing DBT treatment to couples, parents and families. The Centre for DBT and Families is led by Dr. Alan Fruzzetti who is an internationally recognized DBT researcher and teacher and has published more than 125 research and clinical papers. I collaborate regularily on cases with Dr. Fruzzetti and also supervise other DBT therapists in Canada on the use of DBT with couples and families.

For Referring Therapists:

A More Detailed Description of my Training and Supervision is listed below:

Intensive Training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

  • Completed comprehensive training in DBT Certificate Program, University of Toronto, with Dr. Shelley McMain, Ph.D., University of Toronto. (2015).

  • Supervised by Dr Shelley McMain, Ph.D. for 7 years.  Dr. McMain is also Clinic Head of the Borderline Personality Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). 

  • Intensive training in DBT with Parents, Couples and Families with Dr. Alan Fruzzetti, Center for DBT and Families, Boston, MA..

  • Introductory and advanced training in providing DBT for Complex PTSD with Dr Martin Bohus, University of Heidelberg, German.

  • Year-long supervision group for DBT-PTSD, under the direction of Candace Eddy, LCSW, at Maclean Hospital, Boston, MA. (2021-2022)

  • DBT Skills Group for DBT therapists (weekly for 8 months) led by Dr. Kate Comtois and Dr. Adam Carmel, University of Washington. 

  • DBT Skills with Multi-Problem Adolescents with Dr. Alec Miller 

  • DBT-ACES training with Dr. Kate Comtois, University of Washington

Advanced Training in Emotion-Focused Therapy

  • Member of EFT group supervision with Dr. Les Greenberg since 2022.  Dr Greenberg created and co-developed Emotion Focused Therapy.

  • EFT training Levels 1-3 with Dr. Les Greenberg and Dr. Serine Warwar 

  • Emotion Focused Therapy For Couples with Dr. Les Greenberg

  • Emotion Focused Therapy for Complex Relational Trauma with Dr. Sandra Paivio 

Education

  • MSW Fellowship in Family Therapy (1 year) Sick Kids Community Health (2013-2014).

  • Masters of Social Work (Mental Health Specialization) 2010-2012, University of Toronto, ON.

  • B. Comm, Queen's University

On a More Personal Note….

My first career was in business, working for Microsoft in Asia and the U.S.  I am originally from Vancouver and have lived in Toronto for 25 years, raising my family here.  I was a stay-at-home mom when my children were little and then went back to the University of Toronto to obtain my Master’s of Social Work. 

My young adult children are the coolest human beings I have ever met and fortunately they tolerate their mother when she gets “too therapisty”.  My husband and I met while living overseas and continue to love travelling when we can.  My current favorite mindful activity is going to the symphony together – no one is on their phone for 2 hours!!   I have a bona fide addiction to gardening and I am trying to keep it in check…I really am trying…

Free Initial Phone Consultation

I offer a 15 minute phone call for prospective clients to determine  if I am the best fit for them. You are also welcome to ask any questions you may have.