Amy Lesperance
RSW, Psychotherapist (she/her)
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Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Community Social Services from the University of Guelph-Humber, 2021
Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto (professional specialization in Health & Mental Health, and additional credit in Interprofessional Education), 2023
Mental Health First Aid, 2021
Human Trafficking, MCIS Language Solutions, 2022
Trauma-Informed De-Escalation Education for Safety, CAMH, 2023
Introduction to Internal Family Systems Therapy, The MindBody Training Institute, 2024
Foundational Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, PsychWire, 2024
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders, PsychWire, May 2025
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Attachment Based
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Culturally Sensitive
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Emotionally Focused
Experiential Therapy
Internal Family Systems Informed (IFS-Informed)
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Relational]
Somatic
Strengths Based
Trauma Focused
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What personal qualities help you in your role as a therapist? I like to think of myself as a very relational kind of human! I value creating transformative connections. I trust, and this helps me to remind myself that you are the expert in your own life, and I’m here to walk alongside you (and sprinkle in therapy expertise, of course!). I’m laid back, and this allows me to approach the therapy space with an open mind, welcome my clients with warmth, and work at a pace that allows for flexibility and in-the-moment reflection.
What’s a small but powerful tool you use in therapy sessions? Stillness. Therapy is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Taking opportunities to sit with silence and stillness to absorb, ponder, or simply sit with a thought or feeling can support us in connecting on a deeper level with these thoughts and feelings, and can also support us in pacing ourselves in a way that can actively soothe the nervous system in real time.
What’s a question you wish clients asked you more often? “Can I give you an update?” or “Can we revisit something?” As therapy follows its progression, areas of focus may shift and change, and that doesn’t mean that what’s explored in the past stays in the past. I invite clients to remain in the drivers’ seat throughout our work together. So of course, I appreciate the update! And absolutely, let’s revisit that idea... I wonder if there’s more we can be curious about.
Can you recite a favourite quote? “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” Carl Rogers, 1961. I appreciate this quote so much that it’s taken up permanent residency in my email signature. What a profound reminder of our growth and self-actualization being ever-developing.
What helps you stay well? Mindfulness. In-the-moment tools like deep breathing, feet flat on the floor, and hand-on-heart (sometimes individually, or combined) remind me to reconnect with my body, check in with my nervous system, and keep myself feeling balanced and connected. Fundamentally, I appreciate that this helps me to stay well in so many capacities - at work, at play, at rest, you name it. I’m all about expanding that Window of Tolerance!
Area of Expertise
Services
Free 15 minute phone consultation
Individual therapy
Virtual Therapy: Weekdays, evenings and weekends across Ontario
About Amy
You are worthy of a life filled with peace, warmth, centredness, and compassion. Hi, I’m Amy, and I support adults experiencing anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, and those wanting to cultivate emotional awareness, regulation, and the feeling of safety and security. Finding the right therapist to thoughtfully support you through life’s challenges is no small feat. My hope is to walk alongside you with warmth, care, and an evidence-based approach to help you feel more secure in your choices.
My approach is eclectic, drawing from cognitive therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT, along with experiential and somatic practices, including IFS and mindfulness. I value gradual exploration to help you better understand yourself while maintaining structure and progress. Building human-to-human trust is key, and I strive to create that connection with you - often with a sprinkle of light humour. Through our work, you may develop the capacity to safely experience difficult emotions. The goal isn’t to avoid feeling but to foster safety and resilience in feeling. You’ll gain deeper awareness of your values, which guide choices and bring a sense of comfort to the nervous system. Let’s see if I’m the right fit for you. It would be an honour to support your courageous step toward wellness.
Learn why trauma is stored in the body and how therapy supports change by reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, building confidence, and strengthening relationships.