Dr. Amanda Hatch, PhD, C.Psych. Psychologist
Dr. Amanda Hatch is a registered clinical and school psychologist. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families through her years of training and employment in community-based, hospital, and school settings.
At Toronto Psychology centre, Dr. Hatch provides comprehensive psychoeducational assessments and intervention for children and adolescents as well as parent coaching for a range of psychological concerns.
Commonly addressed concerns include Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), school and learning problems, emotion regulation difficulties, selective mutism, bereavement, and developmental delay. Dr. Hatch also provides psychoeducational assessment for Learning Disabilities (LD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and giftedness.
Her experience within the school system is an asset to uncovering the unique needs of children and adolescents, as well as conveying accurate and appropriate information in her assessment reports. She strives to ensure her reports provide clear recommendations and guidance that translate into meaningful support both at home and in the classroom.
Dr. Hatch is compassionate in her approach and dedicated to using the most effective interventions possible. Throughout her work, she is committed to understanding the unique concerns of each client through a collaborative and client-centred perspective. Her assessment and therapy interventions are informed by evidence-based practice and empirical research. Dr. Hatch’s therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and related behavioural therapies, psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, and family systems therapy.
When working with young children, caregivers are often invited and encouraged to play a role as their involvement can be an integral part of the therapeutic process. For children in their tweens or early adolescence, a balance must be maintained between keeping caregivers informed versus respecting the tween or adolescent’s growing need for autonomy and privacy. Relatedly, Dr. Hatch works with caregivers and families to develop effective parenting strategies to match their children’s ever-evolving stages of growth and development.
Dr. Hatch received her Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario. Her doctoral dissertation examined the correlates and consequences of childhood anxiety on later development, in both Canadian and Chinese cultures (published in Developmental Psychology, 2006). Dr. Hatch has taught at the university level in the areas of exceptional children, psychological test measurement, and research methods.
Dr. Hatch received her clinical training from working in a variety of community-based, hospital, and school settings. She gained clinical experience and training at Vanier Children’s Services, a family-centred mental health agency that provides assessment and treatment for children and adolescents coping with complex developmental trauma. Dr. Hatch also received training at Thames Valley Children’s Centre, a tertiary-care hospital-based centre, providing assessment and treatment for children and adolescents with physical and developmental disabilities, as well as co-occurring anxiety, mood, adjustment and behavioural issues. She is currently employed with the Toronto Catholic School Board, where she conducts assessments and behavioural consultation to help support students at both the elementary and secondary school levels.
When working at Toronto Psychology Centre, Dr. Hatch completes comprehensive psychological assessments, and provides supervision and direct therapy/intervention for children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Hatch works collaboratively, enjoys sharing knowledge, and is a firm believer in lifelong learning. She regularly engages in peer study groups and professional development to stay up-to-date with clinical research and therapeutic best practices. She is a member of the following professional associations:
- Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
- Ontario Psychological Association (OPA)
- Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy (CACPT)
Online therapy available