My name is Amanda Knuff (she/her). I’m a registered social worker with a private psychotherapy practice. My work is grounded in curiosity, careful attention, and a deep respect for how people adapt in response to their environments. I’m especially interested in understanding trauma and serious mental illness, alongside an ongoing commitment to understanding myself and the systems we all live within.

I live and work as a settler on Anishinaabe territory in what is known as the the Algoma District in Northern Ontario. Outside of my work, my life is centered around family, time outdoors, and supporting my children as they grow. We also share our home with a dog who loves people deeply—and, like many nervous systems, can become reactive at times.

Since beginning my career in 2007, I’ve remained committed to what Jon Kabat-Zinn describes as a beginner’s mind. This orientation guides how I work: staying grounded, curious, and attentive while integrating theory, biology, and lived experience. It allows me to meet people where they are and approach therapy with presence, care, and respect.

Over the years, I’ve worked with youth, adults, and elders across a range of settings. I’m often drawn to working with people who carry high levels of responsibility or ongoing stress, and who may notice automatic reactions or periods of shutdown that don’t align with how they want to live or relate. In therapy, we focus on understanding these patterns at the level where they were learned—often within the nervous system—so new ways of responding can gradually emerge.

This work is not about pushing change, but about creating the conditions where flexibility and choice become possible. At the heart of my approach is a belief that small, well-timed shifts can lead to meaningful and lasting change.

My academic training includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Certificate in Social Welfare through Indigenous-focused studies at Algoma University, and an Advanced Generalist Master’s degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. While this foundation was essential, much of what has shaped my practice comes from continued study, clinical experience, and learning about how the body and brain function in relationship to our environments.