Ava Frans — Registered Social Worker (RSW)

Therapy that feels collaborative and down to earth.

I'm Ava Frans, founder of True Counselling and a Registered Social Worker providing virtual individual and couples therapy across Ontario. My work focuses particularly on relationships, trauma, PTSD and the complicated places where life rarely fits neatly into a textbook.

Meet Ava

Direct when it helps. Warm when it matters. Always human.

My approach to therapy is down-to-earth and relationship-focused.



I want you to know where you stand with me. We can talk honestly about what's happening, recognize patterns that aren't serving you and work toward changes you can actually see outside the therapy room.


That doesn't mean pushing you before you're ready. Safety and trust remain the foundation of the work.

Who I Work With

Ava works virtually with:

Individuals

Couples

Teens

Adults

Seniors

First responders and frontline professionals and families

Parents and Families

Common areas of support include:

Relationship difficulties

Communication and conflict

Infidelity and rebuilding trust

Trauma and PTSD

OCD, ADHD and neurodivergence within relationships

Postpartum mental health and transitions into parenthood

Infertility, pregnancy loss and stillbirth

Changes in intimacy, identity or connection related to cancer, menopause or other health changes

Stress and cumulative pressure

Life transitions

Individual relationship patterns

Ava often works with couples where the relationship itself is only part of the picture—helping identify how trauma, mental health, neurodivergence, grief or major life and health changes may be affecting the dynamic between partners.

My Approach to Relationships

Relational Life Therapy and a Trauma-Informed Lens

Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a significant part of Ava’s work with both couples and individuals. It helps explore the patterns people bring into relationships, how those patterns developed, and how they may be shaping connection, conflict and communication in the present.


Ava is also a trained trauma therapist and draws heavily on a trauma-informed lens in her couples work. This can be especially important when PTSD, grief, neurodivergence, postpartum changes, infertility, loss or other significant life experiences are affecting the relationship.


Her broader training also includes the Gottman Method, which may be incorporated where it supports the needs of the couple.

Working with first responders

Understanding that comes from more than training.

Ava has specialized experience working with first responders and trauma, including training relevant to PTSD and occupational stress.


She is also part of a first responder family, giving her a personal understanding of how the realities of this work can extend beyond the shift and affect relationships, family life and the people supporting those who serve.



You don't need to spend half the session translating the culture of the job before you can talk about what's happening.

First Responder & Frontline Support

Professional Background and Credentials

Registered Social Worker (RSW)
OCSWSSW Member with 14+ years in practice

Education

Master of Social Work — University of Waterloo

Bachelor of Social Work — McMaster University

Bachelor of Kinesiology — McMaster University

Advanced Clinical Training

Relational Life Therapy (RLT)

Gottman Method

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Sex Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT for PTSD)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD

Women’s Reproductive Mental Health (Menopause,
Postpartum concerns, Traumatic birth and loss, Infertility, Postpartum anxiety and OCD)

Infant and Children’s Mental Health

Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Crisis & Suicide Intervention

What working together looks like

Therapy with direction.

We'll start by understanding what brought you in, what's happening around it and what you'd like to see change. From there, we'll develop a treatment plan together. We can revisit that plan as therapy progresses so the work remains relevant, transparent and accountable to what you actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    A Registered Social Worker is regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. RSWs can provide psychotherapy when it falls within their professional scope and training.


    "Registered Psychotherapist" is a separate professional designation regulated by a different Ontario college. Ava is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and provides psychotherapy as part of her social work practice.

  • Who is Ava Frans and what does she specialize in?

    Ava Frans is the founder of True Counselling and a Registered Social Worker providing virtual therapy across Ontario.


    Her work includes individual counselling, couples counselling, relationship issues, trauma and PTSD, infidelity and first responder mental health. Her current relationship work is particularly influenced by Relational Life Therapy.

  • Does Ava work with couples as well as individuals?

    Yes. Ava works with both individuals and couples.


    Her work often explores relationship patterns, communication, trauma, conflict and how people relate to themselves and those closest to them. Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is an important framework in both areas of her practice.


    Developed by therapist, author and social worker Terry Real, RLT helps clients reconnect with their own feelings, needs and desires while identifying the patterns that may be affecting closeness, communication and connection within a relationship. The approach is designed to move beyond surface-level conflict and help clients understand the deeper relational dynamics contributing to recurring challenges.


    Ava also brings a strong trauma-informed lens to this work, particularly when PTSD, grief, neurodivergence, reproductive mental health concerns or other significant life experiences are affecting the relationship.

  • What age groups does Ava work with?

    Ava works with teens, adults and older adults, as well as couples.


    She is also trained in infant and children’s mental health, but because True Counselling is now a virtual practice, she no longer provides direct therapy to younger children. Instead, Ava often supports parents individually or as a couple, helping them navigate concerns related to their child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, development and family transitions.


    Amanda also works with teens and parents, including families navigating more complex concerns such as addiction, suicidality and significant mental health challenges.


    If you’re unsure whether support should begin with a teen, a parent, or the family system around them, True Counselling can help determine the most appropriate starting point.

  • Does Ava have experience working with first responders?

    Yes.


    Ava has professional experience and training related to first responders, trauma and PTSD. She's also part of a first responder family, which gives her personal insight into how the profession can affect the individual as well as their partner and family.

  • What is Ava's approach to therapy?

    Ava's approach is direct, down-to-earth, relational and individualized.


    She places a strong emphasis on trust and the therapeutic relationship while also creating a clear treatment plan so therapy has direction. Relational Life Therapy is a particularly important influence in her current work with both couples and individuals, alongside her broader trauma and relationship training.

  • How do I know if Ava or Amanda is the right therapist for me?

    Ava may be a strong fit if you're seeking couples counselling, relationship-focused individual therapy, trauma or PTSD support, or therapy informed by an understanding of first responder life.


    Amanda focuses on individual counselling for clients ages 12+, with areas including grief, trauma and traumatic brain injury. You don't need to figure that out alone—a consultation can help determine who may be better suited to your needs.

  • What credentials and registration does Ava hold?

    Ava is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and holds MSW, BSW and B.Kin credentials. She is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.


    Her professional background also includes specialized training related to relationships, trauma and PTSD.


  • Is Ava currently accepting new clients?

    Availability can change depending on Ava's current caseload. The easiest way to see current availability is through True Counselling's booking system or by contacting the practice directly.

  • Can I book a consultation directly with Ava?

    Yes. If you’re interested in working with Ava, you can reach out by email to inquire about fit, availability and potential start dates. She’ll let you know what the next steps look like based on her current schedule.

Think we might work well together?

Book a Free Consultation