Semhar Ghedela, PhD
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) & Canadian Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
Hi, I am Semhar and am glad you are here. It takes courage and compassion to face life’s difficulties, and it can feel especially overwhelming when trying to navigate this alone. It is my hope to walk alongside you as you process past and current experiences which are preventing you from wholehearted connection, emotional balance, mental clarity, and flexibility. I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), hold a PhD in Counselling and Psychological Studies and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I consider myself a lifelong learner and enjoy deepening my personal practice of mindfulness and self-compassion.
I have 11 years of experience working in the field of mental health and counselling. I have worked in a variety of settings including: non-profit organizations, private practice, community health centre, health care clinic, and college counselling centre.
My areas of expertise include trauma, relationship difficulties, attachment wounding, appearance-related concerns, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, disordered eating and self-worth.
Areas of Focus:
Attachment wounds
Trauma
Self-worth
Body Dysmorphia
Relationship Difficulties
Eating Disorders
Weight concerns
Appointment Times:
Daytime
Evening
Week Days
Therapy Formats:
Phone
Online
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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion-Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders (CFT-E)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Somatic Attachment Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy
Acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches
Systemic Therapy
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Trauma
Relationship Difficulties
Attachment Wounding
Appearance-related Concerns
Body Dysmorphia
Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder)
Disordered eating and other eating-related concerns
Weight and body Image concerns
Self-worth
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PhD in Counselling and Psychological Studies - Regent University
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy - Briercrest College and Seminary
Certified Nutritional Practitioner - The institute of Holistic Nutrition
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Compassionate Mind Training
Mindful Self-Compassion
Integration of Compassion into Psychotherapy
Advanced Clinical Skills in Compassion Focused Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Level 1 & 2 Emotion Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFIT)
Focusing Oriented Therapy
Attachment & Trauma Mastery Program
Somatic Strategies for Shock and Developmental Trauma
Positive Neuroplasticity Training
Polyvagal Informed Therapy (PVT)
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I believe in the importance of establishing a safe and collaborative relationship first and foremost as we work toward achieving your goals. I approach counselling with the belief that every client possesses value and the right to live a meaningful life. I honour the shared experience that we all carry to feel safe, to love and be loved, a sense of belonging, and to have hope. I strive to create a warm, empathic, non-judgemental, and accepting environment to empower you in taking the risks you long to take in your life.
I am flexible in my approach and will work with you to meet your unique needs to create an atmosphere of healing and growth. I believe each client is best understood in the context of their relationships and experiences. I believe that our bodies are always communicating information that helps us navigate day to day life. There are also many circumstances which prevent us from being able to listen and access our needs and desires which I hope to make sense of with you. I will support you in bringing mindful awareness to your internal experiences in our sessions as well as bringing curiosity to patterns of relating to yourself and others.
I can support you in befriending your mind and body, learning new skills to regulate your emotions, and equipping you with greater agency in daily life. I believe that cultivating compassion can help you achieve greater resilience and well-being.