I am Amanda Bracaj, a tremendously compassionate soul, offering you coaching/counselling mind-body-energy services toward wholesome healing! I am also the known and proud founder of my electrifying health company "bloom". This is where interconnection meets evolutionary growth and collective empathy in metamorphosis.
With an understanding that surpasses mere words, I stand in solidarity as a trauma-informed counsellor and life coach, dedicating my healing practices to empowering individuals from all walks of life, especially honouring the resilience of those from marginalized communities who have been historically silenced, erased, or excluded. I acknowledge and am educated on the sickening wealth of historical trauma and the ongoing struggles that still remain to be fully acknowledged.
I am always striving and moving to improve my services in terms of their cultural competence, sensitivity, and humility, a life-long thriving effort I am proud to keep upscaling and current in this ongoing journey. This is an endless process. I firmly commit to creating the safest, all-inclusive, and utmost sensitive space for every individual, a haven that specifically acknowledges our individual and interconnected needs for all personal and collective experiences.I happily construct a place where we embrace the fruitful richness of our vast diversity.
Additionally, I feel greatly called to highlight and mention further examples of my specialties, extending to:
1. All things mind health, body/somatic health, and energetic/spiritual health;
2. Mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, (MDD), anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), a subtype under the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and many other conditions;
3. Neurodivergent individuals, including all with developmental, intellectual, neurological, and/or physical divergence; you all shine so brightly with unique perspectives;
4. Individuals courageously overcoming and/or battling substance-use disorder and/or addiction, regardless of gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation; your strength inspires;
5. Immense empathy and compassionate, all-inclusive care to guide others in their extreme, unsupported struggles associated to their genetic predisposition, environmental concerns, substance-use disorder (SUD), misuse, and/or abuse surrounding addiction);
6. Our radiant 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all other identities within the community; we honour and celebrate your authentic selves, acknowledging the beauty and validity of your self-formed identities. We recognize and respect the diversity of human experience and the richness of your collective voices.
7. Indigenous Peoples of Canada (First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Indigenous Peoples, and all Treaty Nations and Indigenous Communities), extending to all further globally, including Native American, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander communities; we acknowledge the land that is yours, your rich heritage, and how it beautifully benefits mankind. You are more than appreciated with maximum love, gratitude, and ultimate respect;
8. Marginalized ethnicities, including but absolutely not limited to, Black, African, Asian, Latinx, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern communities, and all others that have been inhumanely overshadowed; we see you, hear you, and celebrate your diversity with love and beauty;
9. Women, non-binary individuals, and gender-nonconforming individuals facing gender-based challenges, violence, and bias in healthcare settings, including discriminatory practices, domestic and/or familial violence,over-sexualization, gender-specific symptom dismissal, etc.
10. All individuals facing intersectional discrimination, including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and classism; we stand in solidarity with you, amplifying your voices and stories;
11. Individuals and families surrounding schizophrenia and experiencing extreme stigma, lack of support, and misunderstanding;
12. Individuals and families surrounding divorce and experiencing extreme stigma, lack of support, and misunderstanding;
13. Those experiencing grief, bereavement, and abandonment;
14. Those experiencing PTSD, and/or somatic-targeting therapies;
15. All individuals on the OCD spectrum, who may be lacking a proper diagnosis and/or tailored personalized plan. They are also at high risk of experiencing inadequate care and/or physician's judgment bias. This is commonly and more increasingly understood in practice and/or used by a vast population of innovative, reliable clinicians, practitioners, etc. This disorder and its sub-types are not listed in the DSM-5-TR currently.
1. Contamination OCD
2. Relationship OCD
3. Scrupulosity (pathological guilt, moral issues)
4. Harm OCD (intrusive thoughts of inflicting violence onto others/oneself, such as violent or aggressive thoughts, rape, molestation, pedophilia, etc.)
5. Symmetry and order OCD (compulsions to create order/symmetry)
6. Checking OCD (washing, cleaning, etc., in excessive amounts)
7. Hoarding OCD (fear of discarding items, difficulty in parting, etc.)
8. Existential OCD (fear of existential meanings, accompanied by extreme discomfort, compulsions, and frequency),
9. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD); and many more...
16. All individuals experiencing C-PTSD, who may be lacking a proper diagnosis and/or tailored personalized plan. They are also at high risk of experiencing inadequate care and/or physician's judgment bias. This is commonly and more increasingly understood in practice and/or used by a vast population of innovative, reliable clinicians, practitioners, etc. This disorder and its sub-types are not listed in the DSM-5-TR currently.
17. All individuals with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) types (inattentive, hyperactive, and combined), who face immense stigma in societal and physician misinformation, due to the three symptoms being included within all three subtypes - and the subtypes being named after each of the three symptoms. At bloom, we recognize various accredited and backed subtypes not particularly mentioned in the DSM-5, such as: Classic ADHD, Temporal Lobe ADHD, Limbic ADHD, etc. Change is coming, and you are valued and seen individually for your uniquely gifted mind.
18. Specifically, all individuals falling under the DSM-5-TR's condensed 'umbrella' term, being 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' (ASD); this is inclusive of the following - you are valued and seen individually for your uniquely gifted mind:
1. Autism disorder;
2. Asperger's syndrome;
3. Childhood disintegrative disorder;
4. Pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS);
5. Rett syndrome;
6. Kanner's syndrome;
7. Childhood-specific autism;
8. Atypical autism;
9. Hyperlexia;
10. Pathological demand avoidance (PDA);
11. Social communication disorder;
12. Semantic-pragmatic disorder; and others not mentioned.
I live in advocacy for the rights of all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or background; I advocate against all forms of bigotry, and wish for a coming world where every person receives an abundance in understanding, love, empathy, and unity.
I am here for you, even though we may not know each other yet. I recognize you all, both in individual and collective form.
I can see, hear, and feel your struggles in adversity very, very clearly. adversity. The pain of the collective and/or any one other person is a pain to me. This is why I am here; resolutely devoted to advocating for and helping others heal from the knotty, multifaceted dimensions unique to each of our individual developments and unique existences. I hold ethereal talent and giftedness, allowing me to ethereally understand the subtle correlations and intangible links that underlie each of our minds, bodies, and energies/spirits.
The synergistic confluence of these aspects precipitates revelatory insights and wisdom, which may remain latent, hidden, and/or eclipsed in our subconscious if they are not approached correctly (being from all corners where we find ourselves at, with kindness and grace). I am ever so elegant and balanced in my discernment, tact, warmth, and devotion to understanding with boundless validation.
a. Trauma-Informed Care in Approach (T-ICA), realizing the widespread impact of trauma from prenatal development to one's present state (in the womb/childhood/adolescence/adulthood). This approach wholly understands that there are numerous variants and potential paths to recovery, especially particular to one's distinct reality. T-ICA'S influence is crucial, as it boosts cultural competence and humility, identifying all signs, symptomatology, and gaps present, clasping the impacts of trauma and how they greatly alter one's mind-body-energy/spirit-community health (all at once, transcending time).
c. Awareness-Attitude-Knowledge-Skills (AAKS) model that calls for committing to ever-enhancing cultural quality of services. This is a lifelong personal and collective requirement in order for any of my clients, alongside I, to reach ultimate happiness long-term. AAKS's Model not only helps us closely examine the beliefs of others and/or our clients, but also keeps us as practitioners aligned with our own personal beliefs, cultural identity, defining our purpose, and determining what it means to be honestly and authentically "me".
e. A Practical Compassionate Approach (Individual Happiness = Collective Happiness), endorsing our interconnected need to empathetically and understandingly appreciate participating in deep, routine introspection (an egoless acknowledgment followed by genuine change in relevance to our intuitive self-evaluation and -critique. In this, we learn to navigate our minds, neuroplastic abilities, and all other things required, in order to find genuine bliss in healing endlessly.
f. A multi-dimensional preparation in self-enhancement healing models for every individual (there is no normal or generalized approach).
g. A strength-based open-minded approach and thorough needs assessment related to your core's historical and present state, determining resilience vs. empathy, coaching timing and when to use either (this history assessment tends to one's current and past ancestral lives).
h. A detailed assessment process and personalized-focus using the wisdom of the GxE equation, a nature vs. nurture criticality in sustaining healing post-development.
a. All things holistic, energetic, and spiritually healing
b. Neurodivergent Personal and School-Based Guidance/Therapies
c. Neurodivergent Personal and Social Integration Guidance/Therapies
d. Depression Therapies (BPSS Model)
e. Anxiety Therapies (BPSS Model)
f. Anxiety & Depression Therapies (BPSS Model)
g. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Therapies
h. Bipolar I & II Therapies
i. Therapies for Individuals & Families Surrounding Schizophrenia
j. Therapies for Individuals & Families Surrounding Divorce
k. Grief, Bereavement, & Abandonment Therapies (BPSS Model)
l. Substance-Use, Misuse, & Abuse in Addiction Therapies
m. C-PTSD, PTSD, Somatic-Targeting Therapies
n. OCD Spectrum Therapies
o. Specific Services Specialized to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, I/C/H) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
p. Therapies for Experienced Pathological Trauma in Prenatal, Post-Birth, and/or Childhood Abuse and/or Neglect (6m - 11y)
q. Therapies for Individuals Experiencing/Overcoming Domestic Abuse (mental, emotional, psychological, and/or physical).
r. Specific services here are tailored to cater all identifying females, 2SLGBTQIA+ members, and identifying males when serviced.
Open-Mindedness
Practical Compassion
Growth in Vitality
Healthy Resilience
Multidimensional Healing
Collective Development
Mind-Body-Energy Oneness
Trauma-Informed Healing
Personalized Warmth
Reliable Validity
Empathy
Authenticity
Balance
Interdependence
Purpose
Creativity
Kindness
Alignment
Purpose
Development
Allow me to be your guide! I am always looking to help more moonflowers shine. This journey will be one of beauty, self-empowerment, and rejuvenation in metamorphosis. I'm eager for us to cannon-ball into the dark, deep sea together (don't worry, you're safe with me). I do have a boat, so we can sail rather than swim if you'd like.
Then, we can watch the horizon of our destination to boundless self-discovery, empathy, resilience, and encouraged autonomy arises... An arrival that comes much quicker than you'd initially think. Still, hand-in-hand, we'll enjoy the time we have, exploring the uncharted territories you may have not noticed otherwise, those of your inner world.
I am extremely electrified to uncover as many of these hidden treasures as possible, so that we can reveal the brimming light of your highest, most authentic, smile in joy, one that widens each step of the way as you get closer to reaching your greatest potential.
With compassionate courage, let us:
a. Confront the fears that you may be holding back;
b. Go ahead and reveal which core values require and deserve tending to;
c. Rewire those mean, negative thoughts and projections of others that surface in your mind, replacing them with positive, uplifting knowings of enlightenment;
d. Tenderly nurture your inner child and help them feel seen, heard, and loved in all present states;
e. Reignite your spark and fan the flames of your passion and purpose;
f. Create a life that is authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling, one that makes your dreams a reality (personally, socially, professionally, etc.);
g. Heal all of the versions of oneself;
h. Tie all significant details to see the broad, full perspective, note your current narrative and story, and change the descriptions where we find it is needed for your highest good.
Cheers to you for taking the steps to land on this page!
You did that on your own.
You should be so incredibly proud of yourself!
I know I already am.
See you all so very soon!
I can't wait to finally meet you, TO WATCH YOU BLOOM
I have always been hesitant to even attempt counselling, as I have never felt that it could help with any of the issues I dealt with on a day to day basis. Having taken the step to give it a chance, my pessimism quickly changed to an optimistic outlook thanks to the the inviting and safe environment that Ms. Bracaj provided. Instead of the robotic back and forth that I imagined counselling to be, It was more like talking to someone who had gone through similar issues as myself and overcome them. This common ground allowed me to further commit myself to the sessions and process. Her attention to detail and providing me with the tools I need to overcome my challenges has me eager for each session and gives me hope that I can finally heal.
Amanda is literally the best therapist ever! After being misunderstood and dismissed for so long, it took a lot for me to TRY AGAIN and not lose hope. I was so nervous for so long about starting, but she made me feel comfy right away… Maybe the most comfort I’ve felt in my whole entire life. You’d think she was there living it all with me and totally gets what it's been like for me as a trans individual. She not only “doesn’t judge” but has made clear many many many times that she doesn’t believe in or practice judgment (it’s a mirror of our internal struggles). Even though she doesn’t identify as trans, she admires my courage and authentic purpose in this life. She encourages me to look even in the darkest corners… It’s such a beautiful approach. She’s so affirming and validating and explains how a he could never say she 100% understands me, or anyone, as that would be a lie. She can only say this 100% for herself. That's what really caught my attention, that she was aware she could’t fully understand me, whether she was trans or not. It validated me in an ironic way… There’s so much to learn when we realize we can have similarities with others in our "shared" experiences, but that doesn’t invalidate the things that separate our realities and the unique stories we each carry. Because I am special, I AM ESPECIALLY ME 🏳🌈🏳⚧🧿🔮🔐🌙🧝🏻♀🩻🎆
I feel like I'm finally sorting through all the stuff from my past, especially dealing with the whole domestic abuse and narcissistic mess I couldn't believe I was in. To say it's been tough, that's not even enough to validate what I've been through. I was not naive, I was taken advantage of... I know that now. I think it was all just so much that I really didn't know who I was at all, and I couldn't believe it. Even after I built the strength to leave when I felt it was safe, I started having horrible nightmares, a lot of triggers... Panic attacks... I couldn't BELIEVE it. I felt like I was dying. You really think it'd be obvious when those occur, but I just felt like I had a heart condition or something. My senses were working against me, trying to protect me from familiar experiences.
Even going down the same road to my favourite bar with my sister. Even when I knew I was safe, I was surprised because I would panic a lot at the most random times. It genuinely felt like I was about to pass out, throw up, and pee myself at the same time (lol). Such a scary time in my life where I had no control, even when I was in a happy place. Amanda really helped me figure out the roots of my triggers, and how to find/know myself again, doing this on MY OWNNN TERMS and in MY OWNN TIME! She helped me become the person I've always wanted to be, without limits of where the future can take me. I used to think that meant going back to the person I was before the abuse, but I didn't realize before that this was NOT something I should banking on. No one should WANT to be who they were in the past... Not now, not ever. Where's the growth in that? I should want to grow and be the person I was before, but better. I radiate brighter now... I am better than I was before, and that was tough for me to admit to myself at first...
Really, that's the case I find for a lot of people. But that's real courage. That's ME.. I never thought I could ever get myself to forgive others, especially my ex-abuser... I literally was like ??? Why would he deserve that? I shouldn't? Don't you think that's impossible or pretty hard to do? She peer counsels for this specific area because she experienced an abusive relationship. Amanda's been through this. She knows about the inner turmoil these experiences comes with. They're excruciating... I felt like I couldn't begin to feel the shame or guilt I had inside, or even try to figure out how anyone could heal from it. I felt so embarrassed for what happened to me. She helped me hold that I couldn't fully forgive and let go of others or what I resented them for. She helped me realize this is NOT my own guilt or shame. It's the broken fragments of those that have abused me and left them there.
I love living a life that gets better by the day. I live for myself and unconditionally love others with no expectations and boundaries. I know what I need to do to make it up to myself for ever feeling like it was my fault. It never was. Amanda... You're such an iconic inspiration. You dug me out... HOW???? Well, you never gave up on me. Even when I felt like I was ready to. I do cherish you for that. Having had a diagnosis of GAD for YEARS, and finding it was actually wrong? That I had PTSD? It was so validating. It felt right. You went above and beyond and you were so correct. You helped me gain my worth back. You see the unseen, so I poured my heart out here. You deserve all the time, energy, and thought I just put in here... I know you could have helped me explain this a bit better, but I think that you'd say I did a great job. Still, that's thanks to you. I did a pretty good f*cking job because I have you.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Amanda comes from the sun. She is the epitome of light. Her resilience coaching has been a total game changer for me. I thought I was doing okay on my own, but still felt like I needed to find someone that got me, without knowing me. The amount of 'aha' moments.... I can't begin to count them all. She's taught me to observe my triggers, take a step back, and just breathe. I was struggling before, because I used to let my emotions control me, but now I know I actually choose how I react, and taking my power back feels so huge and good for me. I've never loved others or myself as much. That's cuz I used to be a total pessimist! Amanda's not about fixing everything or quickly offering a cheesy solution that you know won't work. She just gets it, honestly I'm so much happier not trying to keep it all together all the time like I used to... My Earth angel: I'm forever going to look forward to our next session, I'm so grateful for you.
Amanda! Thank you for helping me grow and heal in ways that I didn’t even know were possible.
After struggling for a few years to find genuine connection/interested support from professionals regarding my mental health, it was sooo refreshing to work alongside Amanda. Having undiagnosed ADHD up until last year, there were many unknowns in my life that I had to constantly subdue. I never fully believed or appreciated myself in the ways I know and believe wholeheartedly now (thanks Amanda)! She helped me understand that I am *not* a reflection of what others may deem me to be—this knowing shifted my entire perspective for my personal healing journey.
We made a personalized plan together that was specific to my needs/ADHD, and she made sure to consistently revisit it to make sure it grew with me. She's amazing at genuinely listening and noting my concerns, which is something that I felt was lacking from professionals I have visited in the past (and from people I've confided in throughout my life). The tools, coping strategies, and supports she provided skyrocketed me to new levels of self-love!
(If there's one thing she taught me that I can relay to anyone reading this, it would be to stay patient with yourself and always pat yourself on the back—you can only love outwardly as much as you love yourself—you are so uniquely incredible & talented).
If you're looking for help (regarding anything mental health) Amanda is an actual healer; she’s definitive of what someone should look for in a mental health guide and I can't recommend her enough!!! <3
I'm so grateful to have found Amanda... She is a powerful angel in disguise. Her skills and warm empathy have helped me to get through menopause, divorce, MS, severe stress, anxiety, and job loss. Amanda takes the time to truly listen and understand your concerns, and you can tell 1000%. "Holistic" was a new, odd word for me, turning out to be the lost key. I didn't know who I was then. As a mother, I was drowning in stress. After losing my job due to health reasons last Christmas, I felt like I'd lost myself in the process. Decorating, gift-giving, and the pressure to keep it all together had taken a toll. But Amanda helped me find my footing again. She went above and beyond, connecting me with an amazing lawyer who fought tirelessly for my rights. Thanks to her support, I received a settlement that's given me the freedom to work from home and earn a better income than I ever thought possible. She helped me find my strength again. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much, Amanda. 5 stars aren't nearly close to enough. You deserve a million.
Dude, I'm not gonna lie, I was in a really dark, hopeless place. Addiction was something I had always known I struggled with. I always knew I had to be more careful than others. But I had so much trauma, and it got to a point where I felt like I was in a chokehold. I started to feel like I was done for… Well, until booking with Amanda, and man... She's a ray of sunshine. I’m not usually one to keep up with reviews, even when they’re deserved, but for the first time in forever, I felt like I could actually breathe again. She's not judgmental, biased, uneducated, or preachy. She just gets it. She is so wise. I like to believe she’s a spiritual master wherever we come from. We all need that. Society needs that. I'm not saying addiction is easy at all… Amanda makes sure to keep it realistic and remind me of that. I think what helps the most is that she meets me exactly where I am, never even thinking about where I could be… This makes a huge difference. I’m finally feeling like I can kick this addiction thing for good, and that's a really huge deal for me... I'm starting to see a future that doesn't involve substances, and it's beautifully awesome. I'm living proof of her magic, and not booking would be a mistake. She’s different.
I'll never forget my first session with Amanda... Genuinely, it gave me so much hope. It was like a spiritual awakening for me! She helped me figure out my strengths, and it made me feel so special. I felt like I had a secret power or something. Like my ability to turn pain, stress, and adversity into BEAUTIFUL ART. Even though university was eating me away, she helped me to be more present in the beauty of NOW. I started noticing things more, like how my parents moved a red bookshelf to the other side of my house for the first time. I asked my mom about it, and she said "we moved that like a year ago". WHAT?! YOU'RE TELLING ME I WASN'T PRESENT FOR A WHOLE YEAR? Her ability to empathize literally blows me away. She gets me in a way that no one else does. In our last session, I brought up my perfectionist tendencies and how my progress wasn't meeting my expectations... I wasn't feeling good about it at all. Although she said many things that helped me change my mindset here, there was one thing she mentioned that I know I'll never forget: "Nina, your 'worth' =/= your 'work'. You don't have to be a 'human-doing' all the time - it's okay to just be a 'human-being'. You're doing your best and that counts more than anything". Just wow.