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Amelia Perri, RN, HonBScn
Amelia Perri is a Registered Nurse with over 10 years of experience. Her nursing experience has included: oncology nursing and case management including crisis intervention, and working with clients with mental health disorders. In addition Amelia has held Senior Management Nursing Positions in the home care field and continues to provide consulting services in this area.
Amelia has facilitated support group sessions and workshops for individuals with Eating Disorders and their families and has also presented on the topic of Eating Disorders to over 2000 students and educators at various schools in the GTA and York Region as well as at conferences and other public events.
Amelia is currently completing a Master of Counseling Psychology Program through Athabasca University. Amelia has also received education and training in Narrative Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has studied yoga and meditation for over 5 years.
Amelia’s personal past struggles including overcoming an eating disorder make her passionate in her role and desires to help others overcome similar issues. Amelia’s experiences and positive outcomes provide her the compassion to help others achieve goals and feel a sense of lightness and harmony in everyday living.
Amelia’s extensive background in health care and quality keep her committed to the use of research based practice. This means that Amelia makes use of approaches that have been demonstrated in research to be effective. Amelia’s practice focuses on empowering the Client to make sound life decisions, to tune into their feelings, and to provide tools that can be used beyond therapy. These focuses coupled with Amelia’s non judgmental, respectful and caring approach result in an improved sense of wellness for clients.
Other past and current professional activities:
- Group Facilitator at Eating Disorders of York Region
- Group Facilitation at Danielle's Place
- Community Outreach Speaker for Sheena’s Place
- Licensed and Registered Member of the College of Nurses of Ontario (since 1998)
- Associate Member of the OACCPP (Ontario Association of Consultants, Counselors, Psychometrists, and Psychotherapists)
- Treasurer/Board Member of the Ontario Psycho Geriatric Association
- Member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)
- RNAO Best Practice Champion
- RNAO E-Health Champion
Amelia Perri’s Style
Amelia Perri believes in a biopsychosocial model of mental health which means that she believes that a whole person and their entire being is made up of the following interconnected components: physical, thoughts, feelings, behaviours, spiritual, social, cultural, environmental, and relationships. And that these components impact one another for example, if one has thoughts of being unable to cope at work, they may feel anxious, and behaviourally the person may begin to avoid work. The thoughts and feelings may also impact the person physically (they have insomnia), etc. Because of her belief that these components impact one another Amelia uses a holistic approach that considers all of these areas when working with Clients.
In most cases (as appropriate), Amelia will work with the Client to first address unhealthy behaviours that the Client believes should stop, e.g. binge eating. Once the behaviour has improved or reduced, other related areas are addressed to ensure that the problem is attended to from all perspectives, limiting the likelihood of its return. When applicable Amelia refers Clients to other resources that may be of assistance.
Amelia Perri believes that the individual or Client is the expert of their own life and has inside of them the ability to resolve their issues and live a fulfilling life. With the individual as the expert of their life and Amelia, the therapist, as the expert in various therapy modalities, guidance is provided, and this collaborative approach leads to the best possible outcomes.
Amelia supports Clients in finding realistic solutions that suit their life and who they are. She aims to cultivate a sense of safety and security for Clients so they feel comfortable speaking their mind and therefore can obtain maximum benefits from the therapy sessions. She supports Clients to achieve their goals with a non judgemental approach and uses various approaches including art, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and psychoeducation to guide Clients in resolving their issues and achieving their desired outcomes.
Amelia firmly believes in focusing on Clients’ strengths and highlighting these positives in a way that allows for self empowerment and confidence. Throughout and at the end of therapy Amelia will help the Client to assess their progress by reviewing goals and achievements which will further reinforce their strengths and progress.
Amelia’s approach to disordered eating not only includes a no diet approach but also incorporates education and practice with the following wellness strategies:
- Nutrition, healthy eating and mindful eating
- Mindfulness and meditation practices
- Exercise and the balance between mind, body and soul
- Self care strategies
- Eating for physical rather than emotional nourishment
Professional support and guidance can help you to overcome emotional barriers keeping you stuck in the pattern of disordered eating.
Amelia Perri provides psychotherapy and counseling services in York Region including Vaughan, Woodbridge, Concord, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and Toronto areas.
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