Yocabed Semere
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
MACP, R.P (Q), CRPO #20314
Accepting New Clients
Virtual & In-person Sessions
Works With
Adults (18+)
Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
areas of focus
Anxiety
Stress and emotional overwhelm
Emotional regulation difficulties
Self-esteem and self-worth concerns
Identity-related challenges
Life transitions (school, career, relationships, adulthood)
Perfectionism and high-achievement pressure
People-pleasing patterns
Interpersonal and relationship stressors
Family and cultural expectation-related stress
Sessions available in:
English
Do You Feel Like You're Carrying the Weight of Everyone's Expectations?
You might be someone who has always been driven, responsible, and capable. From the outside, it may seem like you're doing well, but internally, you're constantly managing pressure, anxiety, or self-doubt. Maybe you find yourself overthinking decisions, putting others' needs before your own, or feeling torn between your personal goals and the expectations of your family, culture, or community.
Many of my clients are first-generation adults, high achievers, or individuals navigating questions of identity and belonging. They often feel responsible for making others proud while struggling to create space for their own needs. Despite their strengths, they can feel stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional overwhelm, or never feeling "good enough."
Starting therapy can feel intimidating. You may know something needs to change but feel unsure where to begin. You might worry that others won't understand your experiences or feel frustrated that insight alone hasn't helped you move forward.
I use a warm, collaborative, and culturally responsive approach to therapy. Together, we'll explore the patterns keeping you stuck, strengthen your understanding of yourself, and develop practical tools to help you navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely understood while also being supported in making meaningful and lasting change.
My goal is to help you feel more grounded in who you are, more connected to your values, and more confident in making choices that align with the life you want to build—not the life others expect of you. Therapy can be a place where you finally have permission to focus on yourself and move forward with greater clarity, balance, and authenticity.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): to shift unhelpful thoughts and patterns
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): to help you live with more balance and resilience
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): to build skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): to highlight your strengths and create meaningful steps forward
Mindfulness-based approaches: to help you stay present, grounded, and more aware of your thoughts and emotion
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Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology from Carleton University
Yocabed is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). She pursued her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, where she received extensive training in a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology from Carleton University, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding the psychological, social, and biological factors that influence mental health and well-being.
Yocabed has experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across educational and mental health settings. Through her work with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), she supported students with diverse emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs while collaborating closely with parents, caregivers, educators, and multidisciplinary teams. This experience strengthened her ability to support families in navigating caregiving responsibilities, school-related concerns, and life stressors.
Her professional background includes crisis intervention, behavioural support, and working with individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, emotional regulation challenges, identity concerns, and life transitions. Yocabed is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and creating a supportive environment where clients can explore challenges, build resilience, and work toward meaningful change
More than just my work
When I’m not working, you can often find me out on a walk, coffee in hand, enjoying some quiet time.
Greece was the best place I’ve travelled to so far; the sunsets in Santorini were truly unmatched.
I think I missed the cooking module in growing up, so it’s still on my to-do list– – –
Virtual or in person?
Did you know?
Your therapy sessions can be held in person or virtually from the comfort of your own home. At Cup of Tea Psychotherapy, we love this hybrid format.
It gives our clients flexibility to choose their preferred method of accessing therapy. Our office is located centrally in the Glebe neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario. Our virtual option allows clients to skip the commute and have their therapy sessions from home, from their office, or even while they might be traveling.
With our virtual services, we can provide therapy to anyone in the province of Ontario.
“Solving one problem often gives rise to another; life is not problem-free, but a continuous process of navigating new challenges.”