Simran Chahal
RSW, Psychotherapist (she/her)
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BA, Political Science & Government, Western University, 2011
MA, International & Global Studies, Simon Fraser University, 2012
MSW, York University, 2017
DBT Essentials - Level 2, The Association for Psychological Therapies, 2023
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Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Relational
Somatic
Trauma Focused
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What is your general philosophy and approach to therapy? Although the theories and methods matter and they give us frameworks and tools to do the practical work - I truly believe that one of the most powerful things about therapy is quite simply being in the presence of someone who is committed to seeing you fully, in all your vulnerability and complexity and messiness, and is offering to hold it and wade through it with you. That kind of emotional freedom and safety is transformational in and of itself, and in my heart is ultimately what being a therapist is really about.
What motivated you to become a therapist? There is a common Punjabi saying that my mom would repeat to us often growing up, "dukh vandana" - to share the pain, to hold it together. She would explain that being present in someone's pain and helping them carry it is one of the most important things we can do for one another in this world. I think about that often as a therapist and believe it played a role in why I see such value and meaning in this work. My work is also deeply rooted in my convictions around social justice, and the idea that our pain and our struggles are connected, across communities and borders, resonates with me profoundly.
What’s something small that’s brought you joy recently? Dancing! I'm Punjabi, we dance at any occasion. Even if it is just a family gathering at someone's house, that coffee table is getting pushed aside and we're throwing down in the living room. But I never got a chance to take classes as a kid even though I really wanted to, in an immigrant household costly extracurriculars just weren't a priority. I finallly got around to taking bollywood and bhangra classes in my 30s and it has brought me and my inner child such joy!
Area of Expertise
Depression + Low Mood
Family Conflict
Fertility Challenges
Pregnancy, Postpartum + Infant Loss
Services
Free 15 minute phone consultation
Individual therapy
Virtual Therapy: Weekdays and evenings across Ontario
About Simran
With over 9 years of caring support, I join my adult and teen clients in their process of strengthening their inner world, breaking generational cycles and rebuilding a healthier sense of self. I help folks access the person under the sometimes debilitating mental health symptoms, so they can live a full, meaning-filled life. Most specifically, I have robust experience helping manage anxiety and OCD, soothing emotions that feel "too big", and helping you feel more internally anchored in the midst of relationships that can at times be triggering.
Using an attachment and trauma-informed lens, we will build a space of feeling “safe enough” together, helping your body come back to feeling rooted inside. To build that safety and security, we will draw on pieces from multiple therapy models, including relational and somatic approaches like IFS, and cognitive modalities such as DBT, ACT and CBT.
Whether you are starting therapy for the first time or you have previous therapy experience and are reaching back out, it is very courageous to decide that you and your mental health are a priority. I’m so glad you’ve made it here and I would be honoured to be a part of your journey.
What does it feel like to live with OCD, especially when it’s misnamed, misunderstood, or stigmatized? Simran Chahal, RSW and therapist at Amanda Neves Therapy, shares a deeply personal reflection on navigating OCD within the context of culture, identity, and mental health. With honesty and insight, she discusses how early symptoms were overlooked, how shame shaped her experience, and how finding the right language and support transformed her relationship with OCD and self-worth.