About Me
Dr. Semhar Ghedela
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) & Canadian Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
I'm so glad you're here.
If you've found your way here, you may be carrying more than others realize. Perhaps you've spent years putting others first, striving to be "good enough," or navigating experiences that continue to shape your relationships, self-worth, or connection with yourself. You may feel exhausted from holding everything together while quietly wondering if life could feel different.
I don't believe therapy is about changing who you are. I believe it's about reconnecting with the parts of yourself that may have become hidden beneath trauma, painful relationships, self-criticism, or years of simply trying to survive. Healing begins with understanding your story through compassion rather than judgment and creating a relationship with yourself rooted in safety, curiosity, and self-acceptance.
My role isn't to tell you who to be or to "fix" you. Instead, I offer a compassionate, collaborative space where we can explore your experiences together, make sense of the patterns that once helped you survive, and gently reconnect with the person you already are. My hope is to help you feel more grounded, emotionally balanced, and at home within your own mind and body.
I work with adults and teens (16+) experiencing trauma, attachment wounds, anxiety, perfectionism, self-worth challenges, body image concerns, eating disorders, disordered eating, and relationship difficulties. Whether you're healing from painful experiences or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, therapy can become a place to cultivate greater self-understanding, resilience, and self-compassion.
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and tailored to your unique needs. I integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Compassion-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and attachment- and somatic-based approaches. Together, we'll move at a pace that feels right for you, honouring your experiences while supporting meaningful and lasting change.
I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), a Canadian Clinical Supervisor (CCS), and hold a PhD in Counselling and Psychological Studies as well as a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Over the past 15 years, I've worked in community mental health, health care, non-profit organizations, private practice, and leadership roles providing clinical supervision and teaching as an adjunct professor. I remain committed to lifelong learning and to deepening my own mindfulness and self-compassion practice so I can continue showing up authentically for the people I serve.
Seeking support is an act of courage, and you don't have to navigate it alone. If you're ready to begin—or simply wondering whether we're the right fit—I invite you to book a complimentary 15-minute consultation. It would be an honour to walk alongside you as you reconnect with yourself and create a life that feels more grounded, connected, and authentic.
Find peace and support in your journey
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 experiences that we all desire - to feel safe, to love and be loved, to have a sense of belonging, and to have hope. I strive to create a warm, empathic, and non-judgemental 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 do not believe in quick fixes – I promote gradual and sustainable healing. My work is grounded in the belief that transformation happens through authentic human connection. I strive to create a therapeutic relationship rooted in honesty, presence, and mutual respect.
I believe our bodies are a wealth of knowledge. Long before we put words to our experiences, our bodies are already communicating with us—through sensations, emotions, tension, fatigue, breath, and movement. These signals are not problems to be fixed, but messages to be listened to. In our work, we slow down and gently tune in to what the body is expressing, with curiosity rather than judgment.
By learning to listen to the body’s wisdom, we can deepen self-understanding, support healing, and reconnect with a sense of safety, clarity, and wholeness. 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 draw on positive psychology to help people move beyond simply coping with anxiety and stress—toward building resilience, clarity, and a greater sense of balance in daily life. Depending on your goals, we may explore the following in our work together:
mindfulness of emotions, thoughts, sensations
integrating mindful self-care into your daily life
developing a kinder internal dialogue
Using micro-practices to reduce stress and overwhelm
breathwork
cultivating compassion and self-soothing
exploring practices for body appreciation
value exploration
therapeutic journaling
behavioural approaches to practice outside of session
psycho-education
If you are interested in taking next steps here is what you can expect:
We begin with an initial consultation where you can share what’s bringing you in and ask any questions you may have. This is a space to get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit—there’s no pressure or commitment.
In our early sessions, my focus is on truly understanding you—your experiences, concerns, strengths, and the context of your life. I listen closely and work to understand what matters most to you, not just the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Together, we develop a treatment plan that reflects your goals, values, and needs. This may include specific therapeutic approaches, practical tools, or space for reflection and processing. The plan is flexible and evolves as you do.
Therapy is an ongoing, collaborative process. We regularly check in about what’s working, what’s changing, and where you’d like to go next—ensuring the work continues to support your growth.
My Approach
“Shame and the wish to be loved are two sides of the same coin. We just need to turn over the coin.”
Contact us
Let’s chat. I’d be glad to hear from you along with answering any questions you may have.