Registered Psychologist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500)

Hi, I am Maggie and I am glad you are here.

Through my own lived experiences and my work supporting others as a psychologist over the past 13 years, I have come to really appreciate that we are all just doing the best we can with the cards we are dealt. I have personally struggled with binge eating and had to learn how to overcome eating struggles in my own life. I am passionate about, and committed to, helping others heal their relationship with food, their bodies and themselves.

My areas of expertise include binge eating, bulimia, emotional eating, trauma, emotion and nervous system regulation, anxiety and embodiment.

Treatment Modalities

EMDR

Internal Family Systems

Sensorimotor Psychoherapy

Acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches

Intuitive Eating Counselling

Compassion Focused Therapy

Trauma Sensitive Yoga

Areas of Focus

Trauma

Eating disorders and eating related-concerns

Weight and body Image concerns

Anxiety

Nervous system and emotion regulation

Embodiment

Improving your relationship with yourself (e.g., self-criticism, self-doubt, self-worth)

Education

Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta

Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta

Training

Specific Training for Eating Disorders and Eating-Related Concerns:

I have completed extensive training in working with individuals struggling with their relationship with food and their bodies. I am trained in many approaches specifically designed to help with eating disorders and eating challenges including:

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CB-E)

Family-Based Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FB-AN)

Mindfulness-Based Eating Awaness Training (MB-EAT)

Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Somatic and self-compassion-based approaches

Specific Training for Trauma:

EMDR

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Internal Family Systems

Trauma Sensitive Yoga

Yoga Training:

RYT-500

Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator

Trained in the Kripalu Yoga tradition

Working with Me

If you choose to work with me, I will work collaboratively with you to establish goals and determine the direction of therapy. I am respectful of the fact that discussing personal matters with a stranger may be difficult and I will strive to create a a warm, supportive, non-judgmental, caring environment and anti-oppressive environment.

Depending on your aims, our work together may involve: a) increasing your insight and understanding about your own experiences, responses and tendencies; b) learning new information that is relevant to your concerns; c) developing new skills and capacities, allowing you to make changes that are meaningful and significant to you; d) shifting the ways you interact with and treat yourself; or e) processing past experiences so that you can integrate them and move forward in your life.

In order to be able to help my clients most effectively, I am trained in many different types of therapy. The specific approaches I use with you will depend on your needs, presenting concerns, and preferences. In my experience, working in an experiential and embodied way leads to the most transformative and lasting changes for my clients. Failing to incorporate the body in therapy may also limit the progress that is possible.

Incorporating the body in therapy may involve helping you increase your capacity to go inside and be with your body and internal experiences; increasing your awareness of your lived experience (i.e., not just your thoughts, but also your physical sensations, impulses, emotions and nervous system states); learning to listen to your body and what it is telling you; moving your body in ways that help you to experience feelings of calm and safety, energy, or empowerment; or embodying your strengths and resources at the physical level.

Registered Psychologist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500)... Read More

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), MAMFT

Hi, I am Semhar and I 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) and hold 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 & weight concerns, and self-worth.

Treatment Modalities

Compassion-Focused Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Emotion-Focused Therapy

Somatic Attachment Therapy

Person-Centred Therapy

Acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches

Areas of Focus

Trauma

Relationship Difficulties

Attachment Wounding

Appearance-related Concerns

Body Dysmorphia

Eating and weight concerns

Weight and body Image concerns

Self-worth

Education

Ph.D. in Counselling and Psychological Studies (in progress) - Regent University

Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy - Briercrest College and Seminary

Certified Nutritional Practitioner - The institute of Holistic Nutrition

Training

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)

Working With Me:

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.

Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), MAMFT Hi, I am Semhar and I am glad you are here. It takes ... Read More

Doctoral Therapist (Applicant for registration as a Psychologist), Certified MBSR Teacher

Hi, I am Jano (pronounced Yano) and I am glad you found me.

I have lived in several countries around the world and I have come to realize that human struggle is universal.

In my work as a counsellor, I will strive to support you to increase your capacity to turn toward and face life’s challenges, overcome difficult life experiences, make choices that align with your values, and create a rich, meaningful and authentic life. My work is grounded in existential, mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches. I am also trained in prolonged exposure.

I have been registered as an RCC in BC since 2022 and have applied for registration as a psychologist in BC. I am also a mindfulness teacher (a Certified MBSR teacher). Mindfulness practice, writing and dedication to the spoken word are guiding practices in my own life and have been invaluable resources in my personal journey of developing a greater understanding of myself, slowing down, and making choices that align with my values and needs.

My areas of expertise include trauma, grief, stress, burnout, and relationship issues. I am able to provide services in English, Czech or Slovak.

Treatment Modalities

Motivational Interviewing

Prolonged Exposure

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (trauma-focused)

Areas of Focus

Trauma

Grief and loss

Stress

Burnout

Anxiety

Depression

Relationship Difficulties

Education

Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Trnava University in Slovakia

Master’s degree in Psychology from the Trnava University

Training

Specific Training for Trauma:

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Trauma

Mindfulness Training

Certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher (MBSR)

Working With Me

If you choose to work with me, we will establish mindful and values-based goals to determine the direction of therapy. I am aware and respectful of my own personal biases and privilege as a white cisgender man and will do everything I can to mitigate the impact of these biases on our working relationship, treating you with kindness and care regardless of what brought you to therapy.

As a graduate of a doctorate in psychology, I provide psychological services in addition to mindfulness teaching as an RCC. These services are provided under the supervision of Dr. Brennan, who is a Registered Psychologist.

How does therapy look when I see Jano in supervised practice?

Because I am practicing under the supervision of Dr. Brennan, our sessions will be billed as psychological services under the name of Dr. Brennan. Our sessions may be covered by your extended health benefits if your insurance provider covers the services of a psychologist (please ensure they cover supervised sessions and do not require you to be seen directly by the psychologist).

Dr. Brennan will oversee my work and I may consult with her or receive guidance from her about our work together. This is to your benefit, as there will be an extra set of eyes on the work we are doing together and you will benefit from both of our areas of expertise.

Doctoral Therapist (Applicant for registration as a Psychologist), Certified MBSR Teacher Hi, I... Read More