Dr. Sajedeh Zahraei, PhD, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker (#323486)
Founder, Saleemeh Wellness Centre for Women
Bio
I was born and raised in Southern Iran until the age of 13 when my family was displaced following the 1979 revolution and the Iran-Iraq war in 1980. I lived in Kuwait for six years before moving to Canada at the age of 19.
I have lived in Toronto for most of my life, where I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology, and both my master’s and doctoral degrees in social work at the University of Toronto. My studies and research have focused on the intersections of gender, race, culture, and mental health.
I spent about 20 years at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in various roles. Much of my professional experience in social work has involved providing clinical mental health services, community development, partnership building, community-based research, community engagement, health equity, system planning, and advocacy. My primary focus has been on addressing health disparities and promoting equity and inclusion for immigrant, refugee, and other underserved communities.
In recent years, I have worked as the Senior Manager of Professional Development and Training at OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. OCASI is an umbrella organization dedicated to advocacy and capacity building for the immigrant and refugee-serving sector. In this role, I have led several provincial and national projects addressing key issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities, including mental health promotion, trauma and violence-informed services, LGBTQIA+ newcomers, gender-based violence, and anti-racism.
In 2021, I founded Saleemeh Wellness Centre for Women to provide holistic and integrated trauma and violence-informed psychotherapy, training, and consulting services. My practice is open to everyone, and I strive to create a safe and supportive environment for individuals who have experienced gender-based violence and trauma.
In the news
- University of Toronto, “Sajedeh Zahraei leads FIFSW students, faculty and staff on a Healing Connections Hike”
- University of Toronto, “From clinical social work to organizational and systems-level change: How alumna Sajedeh Zahraei is leading efforts to improve mental health support for immigrant, refugee and racialized women”
- Bruce Trail, “Getting to Know Your Hike Leaders: Sajedeh Zahraei”
My training
Education
2014 Doctor of Philosophy, Social Work
University of Toronto
1996 Masters of Social Work
University of Toronto
1993 Bachelor of Science, Psychology Major
University of Toronto
Selected professional development and training
- 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Kula Yoga Studio (Feb-Jul 2024) - EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Therapy Training program
Barbara Horne, Niagara Stress & Trauma Clinic (Jan – Apr 2024) - Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, for Developmental Injury (Level 2 Course)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (In Progress, 2023 – 2024) - Trauma, Dissociation & the Body Webinar: A Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Approach
Dr. Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (Sept 28-29, 2023) - Shame and Self-Loathing in the Treatment of Trauma
Dr. Janina Fisher, Academy of Therapy Wisdom (May-June 2023) - Living with the Legacy of Loss: A Somatic Approach for Working with Grief
Dr. Janina Fisher, Academy of Therapy Wisdom (May-June 2023) - Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors:Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) Level 1
Dr. Janina Fisher, Academy of Therapy Wisdom (Oct-Dec 2022) - Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Trauma Themes (Level 1 Course)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (2021-2022) - CBT Intensive Training for Social Workers
Dr. Sanjay Rao, Unified CBT (Jan 2022) - Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga (Level 1 & 2)
Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Embody Lab (2022) - Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate Program
Nkem Ndefo, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Dr. Scott Lyon, Embody Lab (2021-2022) - Internal Family Systems Online Circle
IFS Institute (2021) - Internal Family Systems Therapy of Trauma, Master Class Training
IFS Institute (August 2021) - Internal Family Systems Fundamentals 3-Part Series
Anna Gartshore, OASW (April – Sept. 2021) - Wisdom of Trauma Documentary, Webinar Series, & Trauma Course
Dr. Gabor Maté, SAND (June-July 2021) - Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program
Dr. Heidi Walk (January – May 2021) - Mindful Self-Compassion Program
Dr. Heidi Walk (June – July 2021) - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for PTSD
Dr. Sanjay Rao, Unified CBT (Feb 2021) - Culturally Adapted CBT 2-Day Training
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (2019)
Saleemeh Wellness Centre for Women 