ELISSA SHNIER

REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKER

Elissa is an experienced, dedicated, and compassionate social worker. She has spent her career supporting her clients in dealing with whatever difficulties they may be facing in their lives, and in helping her clients to develop coping strategies to improve their situations. Elissa is personable and approachable, enabling clients to feel at ease in therapy, and to talk openly and without judgment. She believes in working together with clients to establish goals and strategies, and she always welcomes clients’ feedback throughout the therapeutic process. 

 

Elissa has a Master of Social Work with a specialization in family and child studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology, both from the University of Toronto. She is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

Elissa is an accomplished and highly skilled social worker with many years of experience working in a diverse range of social work agencies, and in a variety of health care settings (Southlake Regional Health Centre, Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Chartwell Gibson Long Term Care Residence, and Mackenzie Health Hospital).

Elissa has worked with clients in a wide range of age groups, providing individual, family and group counselling. She has experience in helping clients cope with physical and mental health issues, addictions, financial challenges, dementia, caregiver stress, adjustment to illness, domestic violence and abuse, and grief and bereavement. Elissa does not adhere to one specific therapy modality as she doesn’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach, but her counselling incorporates elements of Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Elissa takes her time listening to clients so that she can get an accurate picture of what is going on in their lives. An integral part of her therapeutic approach is to share her observations and thoughts with clients, in order to help them gain insight and establish goals and coping mechanisms. Elissa brings her breadth of professional and lived experience to her practice, and she is known for her honest and sincere manner.