Amy Thain
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) , MCC
Penticton | Virtual
Welcome! I'm Amy, Registered Clinical Counsellor with over 15 years experience. I support adults with anxiety, trauma, stress, sleep disruption, and related concerns to find greater peace in their bodies, in their relationship with themselves, and in their relationships with others. I use an integrated mind-body approach that goes beyond what our mind already knows so that change can be felt and experienced on a deeper level.
Trauma, stress, and anxiety can overwhelm our ability to cope, activating our nervous system's protective responses. Over time, we may find ourselves feeling stuck in patterns of thought, emotion, behaviour, and fight/flight/freeze responses that once protected us from further harm or emotional pain. It's not uncommon to find that the strategies that once helped you survive difficult environments and relationships have outlived their usefulness. Or worse, are now barriers to feeling peaceful, enjoying healthy connection with others, and expressing your authentic self.
You may relate to:
moving through life feeling hyper-vigilant and triggered, stuck in heightened anxiety and stress
feeling out of touch with your emotions, feeling shut down, or even numb
feeling stuck with repetitive trauma responses you haven't been able to release, even though your head knows that was the past and you're safe now
not knowing how to cope when difficult emotions or situations arise
struggling to take in the good, safe, and meaningful experiences and relationships that are already a part of your life
longing to connect with others and form new relationships, but feeling protective of yourself after being hurt in the past
struggling with boundaries and finding yourself in a bind when you try to balance your own needs with the needs of others
feeling guilty, unworthy or disapproving of yourself
avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger anxiety
having trouble sleeping, experiencing physical symptoms, or living with chronic health conditions that you suspect are related to stress
having found your past talk therapy experiences helpful, but not quite sufficient to shift the patterns you're concerned about
“ It’s not about fixing yourself. It’s about discovering who you were before the world told you who to be.”
What its like to work with me
I practice within a Person-Centred framework, meaning that:
I aim to provide a supportive therapeutic “container” in which your whole self can emerge and process what you need to
I will meet you with acceptance, care, empathy, and non-judgmental support
I will respect your autonomy and freedom to choose the content discussed in sessions and to make decisions about the therapy process
You will always be in the “driver's seat”, setting the pace and leading the way in what you need from therapy. I will facilitate the process and support you using what I've learned about you, the therapeutic relationship, my approach, and my knowledge and experience
It's okay if you are unsure of your direction. I'm here to help you reconnect with yourself and clarify what you want and need and how to get there
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I draw from a number of modalities including Somatic-Attachment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapies such as ACT, and CBT-I for insomnia. The common thread among these modalities is that both the mind and the body play a part in therapy. Although talking to someone and gaining insight is often very helpful, we aren't just a mind with no body attached. Connecting with our felt sense in the body, in the present moment, is powerful way to shift the “stuckness” that so many struggle with after trauma or periods of chronic stress.
A mind-body approach to processing can lead to helpful shifts:
in your nervous system's response to stress
in your emotions, thoughts, or behaviours
in your relationships and your attachment style
in the meaning you make of your experiences
in your compassion towards yourself and others
in your acceptance of what is not within your control
Brain scans have now shown that we can rewire our nervous systems, so there is hope! When we process what shows up in the body as well as in the mind, our capacity to support ourselves through our emotions and break through our patterns increases, leading to increased flexibility and the ability to both feel and regulate our emotions. To learn more about Somatic-Attachment Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), please see my FAQ below. -
Anxiety | Trauma | Stress | C-PTSD | Self-Worth | Relationships | Boundaries | Grief and Loss | Life Transitions | Personal Growth | Sleep
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Somatic Therapy | Attachment-based Therapy | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Mindfulness-Based Therapies | Person-Centred Therapy | CBT-I (for Insomnia)
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Credentials:
Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) – Adler University, Vancouver
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) – UBC, Vancouver
Member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors
Post-Masters Trainings:
Somatic-Attachment Psychotherapy – Two-Year Program
Chronic Shame in Clinical Practice
Attachment Trauma and Integration – Regulation to Integrate Brain, Mind and Body
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Mindfulness Inside and Outside the Therapy Hour
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Indigenous Cultural Competency Trainings
A little more about me…
I've worked with people from all walks of life - from the far north to the far south of Western Canada, in small and remote towns and in large cities, in person and online. I moved to the South Okanagan in 2022 and love it here. I have every intention making it my forever home.
When not in the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with my husband, my two cats, and my family and friends. Second to my interest in people is my life-long love of music. I spend a lot of time listening to new music and old favourites, dancing, and trying to play the piano. I also prioritize taking care of my own mind-body by engaging in activities including hiking, swimming, yoga, sauna and float tank sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I will encourage you to notice your “felt sense” of how your concerns show up in the body so that we may process and release “stuck” stress and emotions. Along the way, we incorporate skills to support you through the nervous system's stress responses, as well as skills to notice and be present with states of calm and enjoyable emotions too. Building the capacity to sense into good feelings and safety in the body is a very powerful way of supporting your nervous system. Different skills appeal to different people, so we use what helps you and leave the rest. What we practice in session can become part of how you support yourself outside of and beyond your time in therapy. I offer support to reconnect with yourself and your needs, especially if you've experienced abuse or have had to people-please to feel safe in the past. Together we seek to understand and shift the patterns that are no longer serving you, while holding a compassionate view of how these coping strategies served a purpose. As we work together, we create the conditions for developing secure attachment with yourself and with others.
Do you incorporate any body work or physical touch into Somatic Therapy sessions?
While some Somatic Therapists do this, I do not include any physical touch in sessions. While we work on emotion regulation, I may ask you if it would be helpful to place a compassionate hand on yourself, but I will not touch you myself.
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Please visit our Sleep Therapy section under Body Services
Should you have any questions about Sleep Therapy, please feel free to book a free 15 min consult. I'm happy to discuss how we can use this approach to help you.
Rates
Individual - $170
Availability
Tuesdays 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesdays 9:00 AM -12:30 PM
Thursdays 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Fridays 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Additional virtual availability:
Tuesday mornings
Wednesday afternoons
Because fit is important, I offer free 15 min consults for new clients to ask questions and get a sense what it would be like to work together.
I have continually witnessed that all of us have the inner wisdom and capacity to heal and grow and I am truly hopeful that together we can create meaningful change for you.