Salma Emamdad, RCC

CounsellingOceanside Psychology Group Inc.Burnaby

About Salma

###Areas of Practice: Adult Psychotherapy & Teen Counselling (ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS): Anxiety, Acculturation, Chronic Pain Management, Depression, Dissociation, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, Issues Related to Family of Origin, OCD, Relationship Difficulties, Self-Esteem, Substance Abuse, Trauma Couples Therapy (ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS): Conflict and Communication Problems, Affair Recovery, Sexual Difficulties, Clarify Commitment, Lack of Closeness or Intimacy Family Therapy (ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS): Communication Difficulties, Conflict/Tension, Relationship Issues ###Who I See: People seek counselling for a variety of reasons and arrive with different stories. For some, they feel defined by a trauma that happened many years ago while others arrive newly wounded by a great loss and in a state of shock and confusion. Many of the adults I see describe a lack of meaning and purpose in their lives. They feel lonely, anxious, and isolated, including in their relationships. With youth, I often hear themes that include negative views of themselves. They struggle with relationships, their mood, issues related to identity, or a lack of direction. The couples I work with often describe a profound sense of disconnection. Some have experienced significant injuries to their relationship, which can range from an affair to physical or emotional abandonment in critical moments of need. Others describe a gradual erosion in the security of their bond over time. The vast majority of couples are stuck in a negative pattern of communication. One partner tends to become angry and critical when they experience their partner as emotionally unavailable. This partner often feels unimportant, abandoned, and like their partner doesn’t care. The other partner tends to respond with either an angry defense or they shut down and withdraw; inside, they feel like nothing they do will ever be enough. Behind these surface reactions, the deeper hurt and fear often go unseen. Communication becomes strained and neither partner feels emotionally safe in their relationship. ###My Approach: In my work with clients, I see the whole human in front of me. I help you uncover your hidden potential, broaden your perspectives, and process painful emotions so that you can heal experiences that have hurt you, find purpose in your life, and feel more at ease within the self and connected in your relationships. While the techniques I use may vary, the common theme in my approach is an unconditional appreciation for your experience and judgement-free empathy. Working from an existential perspective, I understand that a pain-free life is an impossibility; however, we can lessen the impact of the pain we experience and grow from these experiences. I see perfectionism as a common enemy of a peaceful existence for many of us: It creates a striving for an unattainable standard that takes us out of the present moment and diminishes the accomplishments and joys we might otherwise experience. Often, our therapeutic work will focus on helping you shed expectations and pressures you have internalized so that you can live a life less shackled by these standards. My work also emphasizes working with multiple parts of the self. I will help you reconnect with parts of you that have been suppressed or unacknowledged and strengthen resilient aspects of you to aid in healing and living a life that is more authentic to who you are. With couples, I work to help you get out of stuck patterns of communication by helping you hear the deeper, more tender longings, hurts, and fears behind the reactivity on the surface. By creating new corrective experiences with our partners, we chip away at blocks to connection and rebuild trust, intimacy, and closeness where it’s been lost. ###About Me: I completed my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and am registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. As the daughter of a University Professor of Psychology, I consider counselling to be a family tradition. My mantra is “Life is too short to over-think and worry about hypothetical scenarios that may never happen!” Client Focus: Adult Individuals, Couples, Families, & Youth (10+) Types of Therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, EMDR, Existential Psychotherapy, Imago Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Solution-Focused TherapyRead more about SalmaShow less

Services & prices

17 options across 5 treatments · Direct billing

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Extended health plansSun Life

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Professional background

Are you struggling to let go of lingering hurt, anger, shame, or guilt related to your past? Do you feel unworthy, not enough, or have difficulty trusting others? Do you lack a sense of meaning and purpose in your life or feel alone in your relationship with your partner? Are you and your partner caught in hurtful patterns of communication? Whether you come alone or with a partner, I help people work through difficult emotions, improve communication and boundaries, and feel more connected and at peace in their lives.

Conditions treated

AbuseAddictionAdjustment disorderAgingAlcohol AbuseAngerAnxietyBody ImageBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)BullyingChronic Pain or IllnessCommunicationDepressionDissociative DisordersDomestic Abuse or ViolenceDrug AbuseEmotion RegulationEmotional AbuseFears / PhobiasGeriatric CounsellingGrief, loss, bereavementInfidelityLonelinessMood disordersObsessive- Compulsive (OCD)Panic disorderPersistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymic Disorder)Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD)Rejection Sensitive DysphoriaRelationship IssuesSeasonal Affective DisorderSelf EsteemSexual AbuseSocial Anxiety DisorderSocial IsolationStressSubstance AbuseSubstance UseTraumaWorkplace stress

Who they see

Adults (18+)CouplesFamiliesSeniors (65+)

Education

Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology

Designations

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Professional associations

Membership as published by Sun Life, not a licence verification.

British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors
via Sun Life

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Oceanside Psychology Group Inc.

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(604) 239-4640

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