Amy Wendell, Psy.D.

My journey to serving you…

I am a clinical psychologist originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and in 2016, I moved to Inglis, Manitoba. I’m the mom of two boys, ages 11 and eight, and my partner is a psychologist-turned-beekeeper(!). I’ve been operating a private practice here in Russell, Manitoba since 2019 after spending my first years here focused on settling our family into our new surroundings, working to build a close network of relationships within our small but mighty community, and to attain my permanent residence, as well as my registration as a psychologist.

The journey to get to this point has been long and sometimes arduous, but also filled with many gifts along the way. I’ve learned that I can do hard and scary things; there is value in sitting in the unfamiliar and the not-knowing; and that “home” is a state of mind and can be found wherever we are. I have come to love this part of the world and the people in it, and I’m very excited to bring my professional self to serve this area.

In addition to my “psychologist” identity, I enjoy photography, singing (especially harmonizing), yoga, traveling, visiting family and friends, and learning to play the guitar.

Professional Journey

2005 - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, APA Certified (Spalding University; Louisville, Kentucky)

2002- Masters of Arts, Psychology (Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky)

1999- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Magna Cum Laude, Minor in Spanish (University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky)

My Professional Experience

My graduate training program included four years of practica experiences (2000-2004), providing me the opportunity to work in different settings, with a range of populations, all while being closely supervised by a licensed psychologist. I conducted and wrote comprehensive psychological assessments at a children’s treatment center, and at Kentucky State Reformatory. I also worked for year-long placements providing therapy at two university counselling centres in Louisville, and one residential treatment centre for youth.

During my internship and post-doctoral year (2004-2006), I worked at Montana State University’s Counselling and Psychological Services. I then returned to Kentucky, where I worked at Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women (2006-2007) providing intake assessments, crisis intervention and treatment planning to women inmates, the majority of whom had experienced significant trauma, and struggled with substance abuse issues.

While I gained a lot of valuable experience understanding the complicated nature of trauma and substance abuse, I missed providing psychotherapy, and so when I was hired into the position of Assistant Director of Bellarmine University’s Counselling Centre (BUCC), I was thrilled. I served in this position from 2007-2016, and grew on many levels over those years. I strengthened my skills as a therapist, supervisor, outreach presenter, and group leader. I was fortunate to work with an amazing multi-disciplinary team who supported me and challenged me to grow and stretch. I will treasure those years, and the relationships I formed along the way.

It was a huge decision to leave Kentucky, my family and friends, and the work that I loved at the BUCC. However, life is full of opportunities to stretch beyond our comfort zones and do hard and scary things. With a great deal of self-reflection and courage, I made the choice to open myself up to change—to take the biggest leap of faith I could imagine and make the move to the Manitoba prairies. I feel proud of our little family, and am so grateful to all of our loved ones who have lifted us up along the way.

All of these paths bring me to this moment: to continue learning and growing as a clinician, and to apply my experience in Manitoba’s Parkland region.