Sydney Klassen, MSW, RSW
Locations: Toronto and Phone/Video
Disciplines: Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, and Group Therapy
Languages: English
Top Specialties: Teens and Adolescents, Anxiety, Depression, Parenting, Trauma, and Identity
Education
● Master of Social Work, University of Toronto
● Post-Degree Studies in Social Work, University of Waterloo
● Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Early Childhood Studies with Minor in Psychology, Toronto
Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
License and Memberships
● Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Support Workers (OCSWSSW): #854133
● College of Early Childhood Educators: #121232
● New Brunswick Association of Social Workers: #4465
Additional Certifications and Trainings
● ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills & Training
● Emotionally-Focused Therapy Externship Certificate, iCEEFT
● Trauma-Focused CBT, Medical University of South Carolina
● Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Eating Disorders: Essentials for Adolescent
Treatment across Levels of Care, SickKids CCMH
● Creative CBT interventions for children with anxiety, SickKids CCMH
● Children’s Grief & Bereavement Certificate, SickKids CCMH
● Integration of Brain & Body-Based Interventions in Trauma Treatment, The George Hull
Centre for Children and Families
● Certification in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Level 1, SickKids CCMH
● Applying Neuroscience-Based Treatment to Self-Directed Violence, Mental Health
Academy
● Digitizing Safety, Mental Health Academy 2024
About Sydney’s Credentials
I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. In addition, I have a background in early childhood development and I am a registered ECE.
About Sydney
As a therapist, my commitment is to create a safe and nurturing space for individuals and families to process deep emotions, gain self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and find hope. Whether you are facing long-standing mental health challenges, navigating sudden changes, dealing with the impacts of trauma, or simply seeking a supportive ear, I would be honoured to walk alongside you. My goal is to cultivate an environment where you feel truly heard and understood, as together we explore your thoughts and feelings, identify patterns, and develop effective strategies for positive change.
I believe in fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship that empowers you on your journey toward growth and healing. In addition, I recognize that each person has a unique story and set of needs. To honour that, I incorporate elements from various therapeutic modalities as needed, including emotionally focused therapy (EFT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and more. This flexibility allows us to tailor sessions based on what works best for you, focusing on your specific goals and challenges.
While I work with all ages, I have an especially strong passion for working with teens—I have supported many teenagers in building meaningful connections, finding coping strategies, and building resilience during a pivotal period in their lives. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to address the unique mental health challenges adolescents face, such as navigating complex social pressures, identity formation, relationships, and the impact of technology.
My background in child development also affords me the unique opportunity to support adults who have experienced childhood trauma. Understanding the intricacies of early development allows me to approach the healing process with empathy and insight, as I help clients unpack their experiences and develop healthy coping strategies, reclaim their narrative, and facilitate a path toward recovery and growth.
It takes a lot of courage to seek support. If you feel that I might be the right therapist for you, I invite you to book an initial session using the link on this page. If you have any questions about therapy or would like to explore how I can support you, please consider scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation. Even if it turns out that we are not the best fit, that is completely okay—I would be glad to help you find someone who aligns with your needs.
Therapy with Sydney
In our first session, we’ll talk about three things: 1) Background info (e.g., who you are, what your life is like, who’s in your life). 2) Then we’ll go in great depth about your main concerns. 3) Finally, we’ll talk about your goals for therapy: we’ll come up with a list of therapeutic goals that you’re hoping to achieve through therapy. Afterwards, we’ll work towards those goals together!