About Me

Dr. Sajedeh Zahraei, PhD, MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist
Founder, Saleemeh Wellness Centre for Women

I am a Toronto-based registered social worker and psychotherapist.

I completed my education at the University of Toronto where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, Majoring in Psychology, and Master and Doctoral degrees in Social Work. I have over 27 years of professional social work experience, primarily in mental health. From 1999-2017 I worked in a variety of capacities (clinical social work, community development, research, consulting, policy analysis, community engagement and systems planning) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Since 2017, I have been working as a Senior Manager, Professional Development and Training at OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants.

My main area of interest has always been the intersection of immigration and mental health, with a particular focus on the impacts of political, structural, psychosocial issues on the mental health of immigrant, refugee, racialized populations. I have carried this interest in my work in a number of different capacities including clinical social work, community development, research, and consulting, policy analysis, systems planning, teaching and professional development.

My Approach:

As an experienced social worker and mental health professional, I have trained in a number of therapeutic approaches and modalities that I bring into my person-centred, holistic practice:

Anti-racist, Anti-oppression Frameworks
Feminist Intersectionality
Empowerment, and Strengths-based Approaches
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CA-CBT)
Narrative Therapy
Trauma and Violence Informed Approaches
Mindfulness-based Approaches