CANORA – “For years we've known the struggle of finding consistent quality mental health resources in rural Saskatchewan.”
Amanda Daku said this has been the driving force in her decision to open a new practice, Reframe Reclaim Rejoice Wellness in Canora.
“I am not just a therapist but a bridge builder," said Daku. “Through my lived experience and professional background in mental health, addictions, grief and loss I realized that ‘talking’ is often just the beginning.”
By incorporating Expressive Art & Art Therapy practices into her sessions, she is able to use the art, movement, and breath to connect mind and body. Using grounding, mindfulness and the seven sacred teachings it can help folks regulate their nervous system and ‘come home to themselves.”
She describes doing art therapy as, “the creative process, imagery, and colour to help folks express complex emotions, trauma, or thoughts that may be difficult to verbalize. By engaging the mind, body, and senses, it reduces stress and anxiety. Through these practices, it improves cognitive abilities and promotes emotional healing. It bypasses the limitations of language, allowing folks to express, process, and release subconscious feelings or memories stored as images rather than words.”
Daku opened her doors on Feb. 1. She offers individual, family, and couple sessions.
“Individual sessions are for all ages, and can be covered through FNIHB or private insurances,” she said. “Community support dedicated for groups for men, women, addiction, grief and loss will also be offered through regular workshops and groups.”
She explains the benefits of art and expressive art therapy.
“It focuses on breathing, slowing it down, and also on the mind/body connection. By learning to slow down, it allows things to come out that we’ve been carrying including grief and loss.”
Daku was born in Yorkton. She was an active youngster while growing up in foster care all over Saskatchewan.
“I enjoyed playing sports, I was on the girls hockey team while going to boarding school in Wilcox.”
After graduating high school, Daku earned her degree in social work. Early employment opportunities included emergency on-call work at Saskatchewan First Nations.
“It got me focused on preventative measures,” she recalled. “At the time the counseling work I was doing only involved talking. I discovered that it wasn’t for me, I was looking to do more. I asked myself: what can I do to help kids and adults deal with loss and with finding their identities?’”
She said in-person appointments are usually the most beneficial, but appointments are also available over the phone and online. She has put on college workshops for both staff and students.
“I enjoy seeing people give themselves permission to be seen, be heard and learn that having and expressing sadness isn’t weakness, it’s a beautiful thing.”
Testimonials from clients include:
"Reframe Reclaim Rejoice Wellness helped me better understand myself, my family, my heritage, and all the things that were passed down intergenerationally."
"I no longer numb and suppress with instant gratification. Through Art Therapy I was able to thaw and soften what was hard and holding me back all along."
“Amanda allowed me to feel safe showing up exactly how I was. No longer feeling the need to perform, mask, or pretend in life is truly powerful."
Daku doesn’t have any paid employees, but she does work with volunteers interested in putting on workshops.
“Since my practise is new, I would very much like to hear from people. What do they want to see in our community?”
Further information is available by phoning Amanda Daku at 1-306-316-3489, or sending her an email at amanda.daku@outlook.com.
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