Sydney Gilchrist (they/them) is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Master of Social Work program. They have worked in mental health and nonprofit leadership for close to a decade, alongside maintaining their private psychotherapy practice. Syd is currently the Director of Programming & Clinical Support at Canvas Programs, a nonprofit that provides empathy-based education on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and consent. In their private practice, Syd takes a narrative-oriented lens, focusing on deconstructing systems of oppression. They additionally provide secondary assessments for transition-related surgeries and mental health assessments for queer and trans refugee claimants.
Syd is currently the narrative therapist member of a team completing research on externalizing gender dysphoria. In 2026, Syd presented their research on body image programming for trans youth at the Global Forum of Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (SOGI) Education in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Syd has supervised over a dozen social work students from four universities, taking a critical approach to social work education. They are currently a member of the Practicum Advisory Council of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Social Work.
With a deep understanding of the importance of highlighting intersectional identities, Syd centres professional and lived experience in their work. Outside of work, Syd is a partner, writer, big reader/bookclubber, amateur softball player, and farmer’s market enthusiast.