“It is never too late to become the person you want to be.”
Hi, my name is Francis Atta, and I am a Registered Social Worker. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University and a Master of Social Work specializing in health and mental health from the University of Toronto. I also have a Diploma in Child and Youth Work from George Brown College. My combination of education, life and work experience has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and tools to empower children, youth, adults and families through some of their most challenging times.
With over 15 years’ experience in Social Work, I have experience working with the homeless population, child welfare, probation and parole, post-secondary, school child and youth workers and community workers. I have facilitated workshops for the City of Toronto on such issues as mental health, social justice, community development and obstacles faced by children, youth and families. I use an anti-oppressive lens and always believe the client is the expert. Some of the therapeutic approaches I draw upon are Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Intervention, Trauma-Informed Care and Solution-Focused Theory. I specialize in working with people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, substance use, grief, relationship issues and lack of motivation.
Growing up I experienced my own share of obstacles. I have fourteen brothers and sisters, and my parents divorced when I was young. This had a significant impact on my life, which I did not realize at the time. I associated with the wrong peers and had many problems. I dropped out of high school in the 11th grade and was homeless for a period of my life. Luckily, I had a community who supported me and helped me grow through my challenging times. We all need support at various times in our lives. Witnessing so many of my family, friends and community deal with trauma, grief and mental health issues and not knowing who to trust to reach out to for help, I was inspired to go back to school for my master’s degree specializing in health and mental health so I could better support the people I work with.
“I believe that one person can change your life and that person is you! Are you ready to take the first step?”
I believe in working together to build a relationship with you and not just treating you like a number. I am here to listen and support you through your journey and provide you with a safe environment. If this is your first time seeking counselling or looking for a counsellor, congratulations on taking your first step to becoming the person you want to be.