At the heart of healing is connection.
Christina Abounassar, Founder & Counsellor, MSW, RSW
Warm, connection-focused counselling for driven professionals, families, and individuals. Together we ease burnout and stress, repair strained relationships, and reconnect you with what matters most.
Free 15-minute consultation · Virtual across Ontario.
Meet Christina
A safe space where change begins with connection
Welcome to The Heart of Healing. I’m Christina Abounassar, a licensed Counsellor and Registered Social Worker (MSW, RSW) in Ontario, and the founder of the practice. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2016 and have spent the past 10 years walking alongside clients through some of life’s hardest moments.
You’ve built a successful life, so why does it sometimes feel like you’re falling apart? Many of the people I work with are driven professionals and high performers, exhausted by relentless pressure that has started to affect their relationships, health, and sense of self. You’re used to solving problems for everyone else. Now it’s your turn to be heard and supported.
I believe in constant learning and growth, and I bring a wide range of trainings and tools, along with anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive practice, to meet you exactly where you are. At the heart of healing is connection. Creating a safe space is the key to inspiring lasting change.
Whether you need help finding solutions or simply a listening ear, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready for real change, let’s take that first step together.
Christina
How I can help
Support for the pressures of a full life
My signature focus is helping leaders and professionals move through burnout, but I support a wide range of challenges for teens, adults, and families.
Executive & professional burnout
Proven strategies and a safe space to help high performers regain balance, presence, and a sense of self.
Anxiety & stress
Develop coping strategies and tools to quiet a busy mind and feel calmer day to day.
Family & relationships
Improve communication, ease conflict, and repair strained connections with the people who matter.
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma-informed support to process difficult experiences safely and at your own pace.
ADHD & neurodivergence
Practical, affirming support for focus, organization, and navigating a neurotypical world.
Life transitions & identity
Find your footing through change, including multiracial and mixed-race identity, self-esteem, and loneliness.
My approach
Evidence-based, and rooted in connection
Treatment is more than modalities. It’s about how they apply to you. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches and fine-tune the mix to fit your situation, all within trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally sensitive practice.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Notice and reshape unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Practical skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT & EFFT): Strengthen emotional bonds and connection in relationships and families.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Make room for hard feelings while moving toward what matters.
- Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP): Work with emotion and attachment to create new, healing experiences.
- EMDR & trauma-informed care: Approaches that support gentle, effective processing of trauma.
Fees & logistics
Simple, and easy to start
Payment is by e-transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or wire. As a Registered Social Worker, my services are often covered by extended health plans, and I’m happy to provide registration details so you can confirm your coverage. These services are exempt from HST. Session fees are reviewed during your free 15-minute consult, with no pressure to commit.
FAQ
Answers to what people ask most
Is Christina accepting new clients?
Yes. Christina is currently accepting new clients for virtual sessions across Ontario.
What does Christina help with?
Christina supports executive and professional burnout, anxiety and stress, family conflict and relationships, trauma and PTSD, ADHD and neurodivergence, life transitions, self-esteem, loneliness, and multiracial or mixed-race identity. She works with teens, adults, individuals, couples, families, and groups.
What is the difference between an RSW and an RP?
A Registered Social Worker (RSW) is regulated in Ontario by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, while a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) is regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Both are qualified to provide psychotherapy and counselling, and many extended health plans cover one or both.
Does insurance cover a Registered Social Worker in Ontario?
Often, yes. Many Ontario extended health benefit plans include coverage for a Registered Social Worker, though it varies by plan. Christina can provide her registration details so you can confirm your coverage, and she provides receipts for reimbursement.
How experienced is Christina?
Christina has 10 years of clinical experience and holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto (2016). She is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Do you offer online therapy across Ontario?
Yes. Christina offers secure video sessions to clients anywhere in Ontario.
Ready when you are
Book a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re the right fit. No pressure, just a conversation.