Christina Wan-Yee Chan

BA, MSocSc, RSW
 
Registered Social Worker

 

CREDENTIALS

Christina is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

Verify registration: https://onlineservices.ocswssw.org/en-US/Online-Register-Search/

AREAS OF FOCUS

With over 15 years of experience in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, Christina supports individuals and families through a range of emotional, behavioural, and relational challenges, including:

Children & Adolescents

  • Behavioural and emotional regulation challenges

  • School and academic stress

  • Developmental and identity transitions

Emotional & Mental Health

  • Anxiety and excessive worry

  • Depression and low mood

  • Stress and overwhelm

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • ADHD and attention-related difficulties

Relationships & Family

  • Divorce, separation, and co-parenting

  • Parenting support and parent–child dynamics

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Immigration and cultural adjustment stress

Christina is committed to helping clients build emotional resilience, confidence, and deeper self-understanding during times of growth and change.

LANGUAGES

Christina speaks fluent English and Cantonese, and conversational Mandarin.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Christina holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master of Social Sciences in Counselling from the City University of Hong Kong.

She has more than 15 years of experience working in community mental health agencies, supporting individuals with mild to severe mental health concerns and helping families navigate complex emotional and relational challenges.

Her dedication to child and youth mental health led her to pursue a Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Canadian Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (CICAPP). She continues to expand her clinical skills to better understand and support children, adolescents, and their families through developmental and emotional difficulties.

APPROACH TO TREATMENT

Christina’s therapeutic approach is grounded in warmth, curiosity, and compassion. She believes that healing begins in a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship—one where clients feel seen, understood, and supported.

Her work is guided by the belief that past experiences, developmental history, and even unconscious patterns can shape how we feel and relate to others in the present. Through reflective exploration, she helps clients deepen self-awareness, process difficult emotions, and cultivate inner resilience.

Christina integrates several evidence-informed modalities, tailoring her approach to each client’s needs:

  • Psychodynamic Therapy – Understanding deeper emotional patterns and early experiences

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviours

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Building emotional regulation and coping skills

  • Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Fostering presence, calm, and grounding

Working With Children

When supporting children, Christina uses a play-based approach, recognizing that play is a natural and safe way for children to express themselves. Through play, she helps children understand emotions, process experiences, and develop emotional and social skills.

Working With Parents

Christina also works closely with parents, offering a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore their child’s needs, strengthen understanding, and improve parent–child relationships. She believes that enhancing family communication and connection creates a strong foundation for emotional well-being.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself or for your child, Christina is committed to providing thoughtful, compassionate care that fosters growth, clarity, and resilience.

 

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

As a mother of two young children, Christina brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with parents and families. She understands the complexities of modern parenting and the challenges of raising children in a fast-paced, multicultural world.

Having lived in both Hong Kong and Toronto, she appreciates the cultural nuances that influence emotional development, family relationships, and parenting values.

Outside of work, Christina enjoys traveling, volunteering, discovering new cuisines through cooking, and exploring hidden gems in local restaurants.

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