Sarah Azzam

Sarah Azzam, RP, MACPshe/her

Psychotherapist

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Also available by telehealth: Ontario

Trauma-informed psychotherapy for individuals, youth, and couples in Toronto, Thornhill, and across Ontario.

About

Hi, I’m Sarah, a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Nova Therapy. I believe therapy works best when you feel genuinely understood, respected, and able to be yourself.

My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive. I work with you at a pace that feels manageable, taking the time to understand what you are carrying, the experiences that may have shaped you, and patterns that may be affecting how you feel, cope, or connect with others today.

I work with individuals, youth, and couples experiencing concerns such as trauma, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and substance use. Therapy is tailored to you and may involve making sense of past experiences, exploring emotions and relationship patterns, developing practical strategies, or finding new ways of responding to what has been feeling difficult.

You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what to say or where to begin. We can start with what feels most important right now and take the time to understand it together.

I offer in-person psychotherapy in Toronto and Thornhill, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario. If you’re wondering whether we might be a good fit, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation.

Specialties

  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Grief & loss
  • Life transitions
  • Relationship issues
  • Couples therapy
  • Addiction & substance use
  • Self-esteem
  • Burnout
  • Stress management

Approaches

  • EMDR
  • Deep Brain Reorienting
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Gottman method
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Person-Centred Therapy

Works with

  • Adults
  • Adolescents (13-17)
  • Couples

Sessions

In-personVideo

Languages

  • English
  • Arabic

Logistics

Fees

CA$185per session

The listed fee applies to a 50-minute individual therapy session. Couples therapy fees vary by session length. I also offer a free 15-minute consultation if you're considering therapy and would like to see whether we might be a good fit.

Insurance

Psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP. Many extended health benefit plans include Registered Psychotherapist services. Coverage varies by plan, so I recommend checking with your insurer. Receipts are provided for insurance reimbursement.

Licensed or authorized in

  • Ontario

Frequently asked questions

What happens in the first therapy session?
Your first therapy session is mainly about getting to know you and understanding what has been bringing you in. We can talk about what has been feeling difficult, what you would like support with, and any background that feels important to share. You do not need to tell me everything in the first session or have your goals completely figured out. We can take our time, ask questions together, and begin identifying what would feel most helpful for you.
What if I don't know what to talk about in therapy?
That is completely okay. Many people start therapy knowing that something does not feel right but are not sure how to explain it or where to begin. We can start with what has been taking up the most space lately, whether that is anxiety, stress, relationships, a difficult experience, or simply feeling stuck. You do not need to organize everything beforehand. Part of therapy is making sense of things together.
Can therapy help with anxiety, overthinking, or feeling overwhelmed?
Yes. Therapy can help you better understand what is contributing to anxiety, overthinking, or feeling constantly on edge and find ways of responding that feel more manageable. We may look at patterns such as persistent worry, perfectionism, people pleasing, avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable, or having difficulty slowing your mind and body down. The goal is not to tell you to simply stop worrying, but to understand what is happening and find approaches that fit you.
Do I have to talk about trauma before I'm ready?
No. Trauma therapy does not mean you have to immediately talk through the most painful parts of what happened. We can begin by understanding what you are experiencing now, building trust, and making sure you have enough support to stay grounded when difficult feelings come up. If we eventually explore traumatic experiences more directly, that work can happen gradually and with attention to your comfort and readiness.
How do I know if a therapist is a good fit for me?
A good therapeutic fit often means feeling respected, understood, and comfortable enough to be yourself. You do not need to feel completely at ease right away, especially if opening up to someone new is difficult, but you should feel that your therapist is listening to you and taking your concerns seriously. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can tell me a little about what you are looking for, ask questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no expectation that you have to book therapy afterward.

Credentials

  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology, Queen's University
  • Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care, St. Lawrence College
Ready to start? Reach out directly:(613) 929-6796·Visit website