Amar Ghelani

Dr. Ghelani is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) with the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. He is also a registered social worker with over 18 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and groups with complex mental health concerns. He has worked in healthcare, addiction treatment, prisons, shelters, schools, mobile crisis units, private practice, and outpatient mental health settings. Dr. Ghelani brings his extensive practice experience into the courses he teaches to make learning practical. He is a passionate educator who cares deeply about student learning and success.

Dr. Ghelani's research focuses on direct social work practice, particularly in the areas of harm reduction, cannabis, psychosis, experiential learning and recovery from complex mental health challenges. He has published peer-reviewed articles on cannabis use among youth with early psychosis, mobile crisis intervention, substance use among health workers, and more. He has received awards for his research, including the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, the Hillary M. Weston Social Work Scholarship, and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. He has presented at conferences and trained mental health professionals across Canada, the United States, and Europe. His research at the FIFSW strives to enhance mental health practice in social work and simulation-based learning.