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 Services Worker (OCSWSSW). She is in the process of becoming a Qualifying Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

AREAS OF FOCUS

Christina’s area of focus includes children and adult mental health issues, such as behavioural issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, life transitions, academic transitions, self-esteem, divorce, trauma / PTSD, relationship issues, adolescent challenges, parenting support, ADHD, immigration stress and more.

LANGUAGES

Christina speaks fluent English, Cantonese, and some Mandarin.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Christina obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Toronto Metropolitan University and Masters in Social Sciences in Counselling at the City University of Hong Kong. She worked in community mental health agencies for over 15 years. Her work focused on helping individuals who suffer from mild to severe mental health issues and their families. She always has an interest with children’s mental health needs, so she is currently pursuing a Diploma from the Canadian Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (CICAPP) where she deepens her knowledge and skills to support young individuals and their families through developmental challenges and life transitions.

APPROACH TO TREATMENT

Christina’s therapeutic approach centers on building a trusting relationship with her clients. She believes that it is crucial for clients to feel understood and safe, creating a space where they can openly share what’s on their mind and work through the challenges that brought them to therapy. She’ll explore with you how your past experiences, your development, and even unconscious factors might be affecting you. This compassionate exploration can help deepen one’s understanding of oneself, fostering inner strength. Christina applies several evidence-based approaches in her practice, like Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Practices and more. She uses these approaches flexibly, tailoring her methods to best support you on your unique journey.

If you’re seeking therapy for your child, Christina is here to help, too. She uses a play-based approach, recognizing that children often express themselves through play. This allows kids to explore their thoughts and feelings in a natural and safe way. Through play, Christina helps children process their experiences and work through any challenges they’re facing. Christina also works closely with parents, creating a non-judgmental space where you can discuss your child’s needs and gain insights into their world. She believes that understanding your child’s perspective is a key to building a strong parent-child relationship and creating a supportive family environment.

Whether you’re looking for support for yourself or your child, Christina is committed to helping you find the guidance and understanding your need. She’s here to listen, support, and help you build a path toward greater well-being and fulfillment.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Christina, a mother of two young children, has a wealth of experience navigating the unique challenges of modern parenting. She is deeply attuned to the complexities of raising kids in today’s world. Having lived in both Hong Kong and Toronto for many years, Christina is intimately familiar with the diverse approaches to child-rearing in both societies.

Beyond her parenting expertise, Christina enjoys traveling, volunteering, exploring new cuisines through cooking, and discovering hidden gems at local restaurants.

FEATURES

Phyllis was a featured guest speaker on AM1540 radio for counselling related topics. In April 2018, she was invited to speak about phobias on Fairchild TV’s Leisure Talk program. In July 2018, she was quoted in Sing Tao Daily’s newspaper speaking about mental illness regarding the Danforth shootings. Phyllis was also invited to several community organizations to give mental wellness related presentations.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Christina, a mother of two young children, has a wealth of experience navigating the unique challenges of modern parenting. She is deeply attuned to the complexities of raising kids in today’s world. Having lived in both Hong Kong and Toronto for many years, Christina is intimately familiar with the diverse approaches to child-rearing in both societies.

Beyond her parenting expertise, Christina enjoys traveling, volunteering, exploring new cuisines through cooking, and discovering hidden gems at local restaurants.