Dr. Amanda Plokar is a clinical psychologist and member of the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. She obtained her Master’s degree from McGill University and doctorate at the Université de Sherbrooke where her thesis focused on the assessment of complex trauma in maltreated children. She completed clinical training and has worked within several departments of the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) including Child Psychiatry, Youth Service, and the Teenage Health Unit of the Herzl Family Practice Center. She has also gained experience in school (university counselling clinic) and community (CLSC, youth protection) settings. In addition to Connecte, Amanda currently works at the JGH in outpatient psychiatry with teenagers and young adults.
Amanda’s experiences have contributed to her passion working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She specializes in working with this age range, with particular interest and expertise in the areas of mood (depression) and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, OCD). She also has extensive experience working with youth struggling with self-image, perfectionism, emotion regulation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, peer and family relationships, trauma, attachment, and life transitions (e.g., school). Her approach to therapy is integrative, drawing on cognitive/dialectical-behavioural (CBT/DBT), acceptance-based (ACT), as well as emotion-focused and process-oriented approaches to therapy. Her interventions are adapted to the needs and goals of her clients, offering them a personalized therapeutic experience in a safe space that highlights their strengths and uniqueness. She accompanies her clients in better understanding themselves, exploring the interaction between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as learning to relate to themselves and others in more adaptive ways. She strives to help her clients build confidence in their ability to help themselves overcome any challenges by developing tailored coping strategies.
Outside of the office, Amanda enjoys spending time with her loved ones (including her cat, Shinobi) and a delicious home-cooked meal. She is also a curious learner, avid reader and tea drinker.
