April Days

My name is Nan Ma (April). I graduated with a master's degree in social work from McMaster University. I am a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW, Registration #828927), and a member in good standing with the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). With professional training and practice, I am skilled in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Couple Therapy (Certified Gottman Therapist). Also, I can provide counseling services in both Mandarin and English.

I have eight years of professional experience in relevant organizations, providing support and counseling services to individuals, couples, and families of different ages and groups. I am working with people who experience PTSD, such as car accidents and other huge changes or events in their life. Social work counseling can help in rebuilding self-confidence to face difficulties.

I have a deep understanding of life transitions, no matter it positive or negative, location changes, and role changes. Because I was an international student and experienced some challenges with adjustment in academic and daily life. I would like to use my knowledge and skills to support and help more international students, immigrants, and their families to have a better life in Canada.

Please let me know if you feel alone, sad, frustrated, and disappointed and book a 20-mins free session. I will be a great listener and give you a safe space and moment to speak out. Then, we can move to systemic mental health counseling. You will know more about yourself, learn some skills to deal with your emotions, and improve your abilities in communication and problem-solving.

• A name

  April is my English name since I was born in April. It is a time of life and hope. A Chinese poem by Huiyin Lin, named 'You Are the April of This World,' shows how beautiful life is. I hope everyone can enjoy such a great moment with a gentle wind, blinking stars, light rain, budding flowers, and full of love, warmth, and hope.
  
  Also, from my view, everyone has his/her noticeable qualities, as well as some flaws. For example, one of my favorite characters in Grey's Anatomy is April Kepner, a female trauma surgeon who is strong, confident, competitive, compassionate, and understanding but emotional and easily anxious. Most clients come to me due to their difficulties, crisis, and negative parts of their life.
  
  My job is to help you find more advantages and positive personalities to overcome difficulties and challenge yourself.

  Value

  No-judgement
  Love, warmth and hope
  Confidentiality
  Multicultural
  Personalized

• You Are the April of This World
  Ode to Love

  Lin Huiyin

  Translated by Xinqu Huang

  I think you are the April of this world,
  Sure, you are the April of this world.
  Your laughter has lit up all the wind,
  So gently mingling with the spring.
  You are the clouds in early spring,
  The dusk wind blows up and down.
  And the stars blink now and then,
  Fine rain drops down amid the flowers.
  So gentle and graceful,
  You are crowned with garlands.
  So sublime and innocent,
  You are a full moon over each evening.
  The snow melts, with that light yellow,
  You look like the first budding green.
  You are the soft joy of white lotus
  Rising up in your fancy dreamland.
  You're the blooming flowers over the trees,
  You're a swallow twittering between the beams;
  Full of love, full of warm hope,
  You are the spring of this world!
  						

• Areas of treatment

  Self Exploration
  Grief and Loss
  Trauma / PTSD
  Couples Therapy
  Relationship Counselling
  Interpersonal Issues
  Emotional regulation: Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Anger
  Life Transitions
  Eating Disorder
  Sleeping issues
  Changes / Challenges
  LGBTQ Counselling
  Procrastination
  Addiction and Substance Abuse: Internet, game, smoking, alcohol, drugs. Etc.

• Counselling approaches

  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  Emotionally Focused Therapy
  Solution-Focused Therapy
  Empathy Approaches
  Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  Gottman Couple Therapy
  Strength-based Therapy
  Mindfulness
  Multicultural

• First session: 20 minutes free consultation
• Following sessions: 50 minutes
• Individual therapy: $150
• Student discount: $120
• Couple therapy: $170

Payment can be made by email transfer. A receipt with my registration number will be provided upon payment of the session for insurance claims.

Counselling and psychotherapy provided by a Registered Social Worker are not covered under OHIP but are covered by many extended health benefit plans.

If you are a current student or employee in Ontario, you may be covered. However, the insurance policy for each company or institution is different. Please check with your provider regarding the specific details about your insurance coverage. Please speak with your insurance provider to inquire if you are eligible for reimbursement.