Reena Samra

Reena Samra

  • Position: Registered Social Worker (RSW)
  • Experience: Master of Social Work (MSW)
  • Location: Sherwood Park, AB
  • Email: info@onyxtherapy.ca
  • Phone: (587) 745-2662
  • Regulatory or Governing Body/Professional Association: Alberta College of Social Workers / 4860
  • Registration #: Alberta / 14495
  • Fees: $220/hr
  • Availability: Wednesdays & Bi-weekly Saturdays
  • Sessions: In Person & Virtual
  • Direct Billing/Insurance: Direct Billing available to most benefits plans. Check your plan to confirm direct billing.

About Reena Samra

Registered Social Worker (RSW)


I am a trauma therapist with culturally informed, anti-racist & intersectional feminist values.

I work holistically to support folks to deepen their connections to their mind, body, soul, spirit, emotions & community. After working in social work for 9 years, I shifted to trauma counselling to do more in-depth work with my clients around meaning-making and creating purpose out of life. As a social worker, I became more aware of the gaps in the system that left some voices and experiences unheard and unsupported. I wanted to create more culturally informed therapeutic services that center those voices that are not often heard. I wanted to create more access to healing for our communities.

My journey into social work and then into counselling was very personal. I know what it’s like to suffer and experience oppression and barriers to mental health support; going through my own trauma inspired me to support others who are going through a similar experience. I aim to bring this holistic perspective into my work and to continue listening and learning from the community.

I want to work with you to embrace the wholeness and fullness of who you are.

I weave in components of Emotion Focused Therapy to help clients connect with themselves and their emotions, which may not have felt safe in the past. Many of the people I work with are dealing with layers of identity-based grief and past trauma experience that include cultural barriers and racial discrimination. Many want to heal their inner child wounds and intergenerational trauma so that they can come into their authentic-self. We want to work together to figure out who we are, our values, and how to operate in a world that is not always made for us. We want to work together to create compassion for ourselves and build our self-worth while also learning to heal in relationships and in community.

I care about creating safer spaces that empower BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Colour) mental health & wellness.

I specialize in processing experiences of racism, discrimination, racial trauma & racial grief. I often work in newcomer, immigrant and refugee communities. Other specialties include sexual violence; grief and loss; childhood abuse; complex trauma & PTSD; LGBTQ2S; trauma-informed yoga & meditation; somatic therapy; spirituality; culturally safe therapy.

We will not heal the wounds of racial trauma in a world that continues to traumatize us. Still, we can work to feel empowered in our lives and to honour our intersectionality. This is a continual work in progress, and there is no perfection to strive for, only compassion for the multidimensional aspects that make us who we are.

You can expect me to meet you with compassion, empowerment, warmth, authenticity, humour and gentleness.

I do not separate my life from my profession. I am an authentic, vulnerable, and compassionate person, and I bring all of myself into my sessions.  I am a person who suffers and struggles, too, I have strengths and flaws, and I will always be transparent about that. When we work together, we work in a partnership, in collaboration. What you want and what you think about your healing matters, and I am here with you, working with you. 

It would be an honour to get to know who you are. Your stories are worth hearing, your strengths are worth celebrating, and you don’t have to be alone in your healing. I believe in your capacity to heal.

Professional Background

Education
  • Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) student at California Southern University (2022 - present)
  • Master of Social Work (MSW) with a Clinical Specialization in Trauma-Informed Practice (graduated 2021)
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) (graduated 2018)
Specializations
  • Racial Identity
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Grief
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • BIPOC
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Sexual Violence
  • Relational Difficulties
  • Newcomer, immigrant and refugee
  • Racial Trauma
  • Neurodiversity (ADHD and autism)
  • Spirituality
Professional Training
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • Attachment-Based Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • EMDR Therapy
  • The Grief Recovery Method
  • Trauma-informed Yoga and Meditation
  • Intersectional Feminist Therapy
  • Compassion Focused Therapy
  • Narrative Therapy
Professional Associations/Regulatory Board
  • Alberta College of Social Workers

Let’s Discover How I Can Help

Start feeling supported, coping with difficult situations, and having stronger connections. Reach out and let us know that I could be your best fit therapist.

When you reach out, you’ll talk to our administrative staff and, you can share what’s going on for you, ask any questions you may have, and get scheduled in for your first session with me.

Email us today at info@onyxtherapy.ca.

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