Counselling Built Around You

Care that starts with the person, not the problem.

True Counselling is an Ontario-wide virtual counselling practice built on a simple belief: therapy works best when people feel safe to be themselves.

Why True Counselling Exists

Therapy should serve the client—not the system.

After working in a variety of settings, founder Ava Frans saw how easily counselling could become shaped by systems, time limits or what could be billed rather than what an individual actually needed.


True Counselling was created to do things differently. Our work starts with the client: what you're experiencing, what matters to you and what needs to change for life to feel different.


There is no expectation that you fit neatly into a predetermined treatment model.

Our Philosophy

Trust comes before the work.

Therapy asks people to talk about things they may not feel safe sharing anywhere else. We don't take that lightly.


Before strategies, techniques or treatment goals can mean much, there needs to be trust between therapist and client. You should know where you stand, understand why you're doing the work you're doing and feel comfortable saying when something isn't helping.


A strong therapeutic relationship can help create the trust needed for meaningful work.

Individualized, Accountable Care

A plan, not a formula.

Every person arrives with a different history, environment, relationships and set of circumstances.


We use thoughtful assessment and treatment planning to understand the full picture and establish meaningful goals together.


Then we keep checking in. What's changing? What's stuck? What's helping? What needs to be approached differently?


Therapy should move with you.


More Than What's Happening Inside Your Head

People exist within systems.

As Registered Social Workers providing psychotherapy, we look beyond symptoms alone. Family relationships, healthcare, workplaces, schools, finances, legal systems and community resources can all affect mental health. When appropriate, our work can include advocacy, navigating available supports or helping you communicate what you need to the people and systems around you.

Virtual Across Ontario

The right therapist doesn't have to be the closest therapist.

True Counselling now operates fully virtually, supporting clients throughout Ontario.



Moving online has allowed the practice to work with a broader range of individuals, couples, teens, seniors, first responders and frontline professionals without geography determining who can access the practice.

Meet the Team

Different expertise. Shared philosophy.

Ava Frans MSW, RSW, BSW, B.Kin

Founder and Registered Social Worker supporting individuals, couples and first responders, with a particular focus on relationships, trauma and PTSD. Her work is strongly informed by Relational Life Therapy, alongside additional trauma and relationship-based training.


Meet Ava

Amanda Gomes MSW, RSW, BSW

Amanda is a Registered Social Worker who provides individual counselling to clients ages 12+, including adults and seniors, with areas of focus including trauma, grief and loss, family and caregiver support, life transitions and mental health concerns.


Meet Amanda

Finding the Right Fit

Sometimes the most helpful thing we can say is, “We're not the right therapist for you.”

We don't believe every therapist is right for every client. If your needs fall outside our expertise or another clinician would serve you better, we'll be upfront about it and help point you in the right direction where possible. The goal isn't simply to get you into therapy. It's to help you find therapy that can genuinely help.

See if True Counselling feels like the right fit.

Book a Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a Registered Social Worker (RSW), and how is that different from a psychotherapist?

    A Registered Social Worker is a regulated professional registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Registered Social Workers may provide psychotherapy when it falls within their professional scope and competence.


    A Registered Psychotherapist is a different regulated professional designation in Ontario. Ava and Amanda are Registered Social Workers, and we believe it's important to be transparent about their actual credentials rather than using professional titles interchangeably.

  • Who founded True Counselling and who leads the practice?

    True Counselling was founded by Ava Frans, RSW, who continues to lead the practice and provide individual and couples counselling.


    Ava created True Counselling after working in different settings and wanting to build a practice where care could remain genuinely client-centred, relationship-focused and responsive to the individual rather than the systems around them.

  • Who is Amanda Gomes and what is her role at True Counselling?

    Amanda Gomes, RSW is a Registered Social Worker and clinician with True Counselling.


    She provides individual counselling to clients ages 12+, including adults and seniors, and has areas of focus including trauma and PTSD, grief and traumatic brain injury.

  • How do I know whether Ava or Amanda is the right clinician for me?

    Both therapists share True Counselling's relationship-focused, individualized philosophy, but their areas of practice differ.


    Ava works with individuals, couples and first responders and has a strong focus on relationships, trauma and PTSD. Amanda provides individual counselling for clients ages 12+ and works in areas including trauma, grief and traumatic brain injury.


    If you're unsure, reach out. We'll help you determine which clinician may be the better fit.

  • Is True Counselling a good fit if I've had a bad therapy experience before?

    It may be.


    Many people come to True Counselling after previous therapy didn't feel helpful, safe or like the right fit. We place significant importance on trust, transparency and the therapeutic relationship rather than assuming that simply being "in therapy" is enough.


    You're also encouraged to talk openly about what didn't work for you before so your therapist can understand what you need differently this time.

  • Does True Counselling offer both individual and couples counselling?

    Yes. True Counselling provides individual counselling across Ontario through both Ava and Amanda.


    Couples counselling is provided by Ava, whose relationship work is primarily informed by Relational Life Therapy (RLT). She also has training in the Gottman Method, which may be incorporated where appropriate based on the couple’s needs.

  • Is True Counselling available across all of Ontario, or only certain cities?

    True Counselling is fully virtual and works with clients across Ontario.


    The practice previously provided more in-person care in Burlington, but its current model is Ontario-wide virtual counselling rather than being centred around one city.

  • Does True Counselling have experience working with first responders?

    Yes. First responders and frontline professionals are an important area of focus within the practice.


    Ava has professional training and experience related to trauma and PTSD and is also part of a first responder family, giving her both clinical and personal proximity to some of the realities first responder families navigate.


  • What ages does True Counselling work with?

    True Counselling works with teens, adults and seniors, with Amanda providing individual counselling for clients ages 12+.


    While the practice does not provide direct counselling to young children, both Ava and Amanda support parents and families navigating challenges involving younger children and family transitions through individual and couples counselling.


    Ava has specialized training in infant and children’s mental health and advanced training in parent support, which can inform work with parents around their child’s emotional wellbeing, development and changing family dynamics.


    Amanda also has specialized experience supporting teens and their families through more complex mental health concerns, including suicidality, addiction and other significant challenges.

  • How do I book a free consultation with True Counselling?

    You can book a free consultation through our online booking system.


    If you already know whether you'd like to work with Ava or Amanda, you can book with them directly. If you're unsure which therapist or service is right for you, reach out and we'll help guide you.