Sera Kazmi

Registered Social Worker · MSW · RSW · MBA

Families & Individuals
English

Support for Anger Management, Anxiety, Couples Communication, Depression and 2 more ↓

Areas of focus

If what you are carrying is not listed, it is still worth a conversation.

Also works with Attachment, Career change development, Caregiver stress, Crisis intervention, Emotional / psychological abuse, Health wellness, Identity issues, Multicultural issues, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Professional burnout, Relationships dating, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Stress management, Trust issues and Workplace issues.

In Sera's words

Anxiety, stress and depression continue to be a growing concern in children and adults. Often our constant thoughts give rise to feelings of worry, sadness, shame, guilt, bouts of anger, isolation and hopelessness. Sometimes our fears and overwhelming emotions make us avoid places, people and situations. If you’re finding yourself lost in your thoughts and are struggling with going to school, or work, or, are struggling to carry out day to day activities, or, if you find yourself worried about a sudden change in behaviour or mood. I am here to help.

Continue reading Sera's approach

I am a Registered Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work in Mental Health, a Master’s in Business Administration and a Diploma in Art Therapy. I am also the proud holder of The National Counsellors award in Anti-bullying practices conferred by UNICEF and the Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates. Additionally, I am certified in trauma focused approaches such as TFCBT and am trained to work with survivors of abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Further I am certified and trained in cognitive behavioural therapy from the Becks Institute. Apart from these I also draw heavily from approaches of narrative therapy, emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. My areas of expertise include: anxiety, OCD, depression, communication, relationships and interpersonal conflict, stress management, emotion regulation, attachment, self-esteem, identity and trauma.

Using a strength based, client-centred approach, I strive to provide a non-judgmental, anti-oppressive, inclusive, culturally sensitive environment that empowers my clients to find belonging, resilience, better coping mechanisms and gain control over their lives through therapy.

As a therapist, I have worked extensively in Asia, the Middle East and Canada. I seek to help clients navigate these challenging times, by walking by their side through their worry, fears and overwhelmed emotions and empowering them to achieve their goals. If you’re looking for someone who will walk alongside you, coach you each step of the way, for as long as it takes, do start your journey with me.

Background

MSW in Mental Health, 2018

Registered with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

Also listed on

Qualifications & registrations

Also holds: MBA, Marketing and Sales, 2015
Diploma in Art Therapy (Distinction), 2018
Centre of Excellence, CMA (Complementary Medical Association)
International Alliance of Holistic Therapists (IAHT)
Certified Training:
Trauma Focused CBT, Medical University of South Carolina
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Motivational Interviewing, Mission Empowerment Canada
Attachment and Trauma, Lori Gill
Coaching Remotely, Smith’s School of Business, Queen’s University
Adult Child Infant CPR, AED, Standard First Aid, American Health Association
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, UNICEF
Online training initiative to address human trafficking for professionals working with children and adults, MCIS
CEO 1 Month of Adecco Middle East, Runner up of Global CEO 1- month Adecco Switzerland
Global speaker for Youth Our Concern, Our Mental Health webinar, 2020
Experience: I have 7 years of global experience in the field of social work in clinical counselling and strategy development of evidence-based, direct and indirect, intervention programs in schools, organizations and community, to address anti-human trafficking, child sexual abuse, youth and trauma gender equity, gender-based violence, emotional coaching and parenting via the ARC framework, TF-CBT and EFFT models.
Also a member of: Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)

Trained in these approaches — drawn on depending on what each person needs, not a fixed formula.

A few questions, answered

I recognised a prevalent need in all societies to have spaces to heal and people who are skilled to teach us how to heal. I have realised for far too long we as people need spaces to address our mental health. I set out on a journey of discovering knowledge and learning evidence-based best practices of healing for communities, for people, for children. Being a therapist came out of this realisation and journey of acquiring such knowledge.

Watching my clients transform themselves into who they want to be.

It's understandable to feel hesitant or uncertain about counselling. Taking that first step can be difficult, especially if you're not sure what to expect. Counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It's important to remember that counselling is a collaborative process, and you'll have the opportunity to work together with a trained and experienced professional to identify your goals and create a plan to achieve them.

Getting to know Sera

What activity instantly calms you?: A walk on the beach.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” One of my mentors often repeated this statement from the famous Dr. Seuss book. It reminded me that we have the power to make choices and take actions that can shape our own futures even in the face of challenges or obstacles.
Would you rather cook or order in?: I would definitely cook my meals at home because I enjoy the process of preparing and cooking my food, looking for ingredients and recipes to follow.