Helping You Create Meaningful Change

social work, psychotherapy services for individuals, couples & families in ontario, canada

 Life can be tough… but so are you.

Empowering you to meet life's challenges with grace and resilience.

Deciding to begin therapy takes courage and is often the first step towards positive, lasting life changes.

If you seek non-judgmental, empathic, solution-focused counselling, contact Melissa for more information.

MEET MELISSA


SOCIAL WORKER & PSYCHOTHERAPIST


B.A. (Psych), B.Ed., M.Ed., MSW, RSW

A therapist, a learner, a listener

Hello! I know how hard it is to reach out and I’m so happy you’re looking into therapy. I’m VERY passionate about the work I do. I feel very confident in how powerful this type of support is. It is an honour to work with my clients to help them through challenges, life transitions, health diagnoses, crises, relationship struggles and healing from trauma.

“To begin, begin.”

— William Wordsworth

  • Your First Session

    Our first meeting will be an intake session to learn more about you and what brings you to therapy at this time. I’ll be asking about symptoms and challenges you're experiencing and your expectations and goals for our work together. I look forward to meeting you!

    Let's Begin

  • Regular Sessions

    Following your initial session, we will work collaboratively to meet your therapy goals. Appointments are scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly as needed. Sessions are offered in-office, online or over the phone. We can also "Walk & Talk" if you'd like.

    Book a session

  • Walk & Talks

    Sessions are conducted over the phone while we walk outdoors in our respective locations. Walking is an excellent alternative to meeting indoors or online and is great for mental and physical health! It can also feel more comfortable than meeting face to face for some.

    Walk with Me

HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER

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  • Individual therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, major life transitions, grief, chronic pain, OCD, caregiver stress, relationship issues and more.

    Learn More

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  • Marriage and relationship counselling using the Gottman Method. Also supporting couples with premarital issues, separation, divorce, co-parenting, and blending families. Relationship counselling for men who struggle with anger. PAR Programs available.

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  • Therapy to understand your family dynamics, provide support, and mediate conflict using Gottman Method relationship skills provides an opportunity for your family to function and connect in a healthy way.

    Learn More

 

My Approach

I offer a very friendly approach to therapy. It’s not uncommon for laughter to be heard coming from my office. While what we are talking about is often serious, I hope to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting and makes it comfortable for you to open up and share your life with me - the good, the bad, and the ugly!

The first few sessions are about getting to know each other, developing that rapport, assessing what brings you to therapy and how I can help. Depending on what your goals are, I will suggest the tools and modalities that I think will be most helpful for you. I want you to feel safe and comfortable to tell me your expectations of our work together. Some clients want to have a space to vent and share their daily struggles and concerns - others want to learn tools and coping strategies to help regulate emotions, tolerate distress and deal with the challenges they are facing.

Many of my clients come to therapy regularly and see it as ongoing self-care. Others will come as needed when life becomes overwhelming or they are facing a particular crisis or struggle. It is not uncommon for people to come and go…. returning months or years later for a “tune up”. It’s nice to have someone who knows you and your history etc., whom you can return to when you need support.

I offer free consultation calls for you to introduce yourself, ask any questions you may have about therapy with me, and see if I’d be a good match for your needs.

 How can I support you?

Life can be challenging. When something throws us for a loop, our usual coping strategies may not be enough and we find ourselves feeling lost, afraid or unsure of what to do & how to manage. Psychotherapy and clinical counselling can help you regain your bearings and cultivate novel coping strategies to get you back on your feet. As an EMDR-trained therapist, I also offer this valuable therapy for healing from trauma and distressing experiences.

Therapy & Counselling for:

 

  • Alcohol Use Programs (Court Mandated)

  • Anxiety

  • Anger

  • Caregiver Stress / Fatigue

  • Chronic Illness / Pain

  • Coping Skills

  • Couples & Relationship Issues

  • Crisis / Major Life Transitions

  • Depression

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief & Loss

  • Infertility, Pregnancy Loss, Abortion

  • Infidelity

  • Mood Disorders

  • Men’s Issues

  • New Parents (& Expecting Parents)

  • PAR (Partner Assault Response) Court Mandated

  • Parenting Children with Chronic Health Issues

  • Parenting Support

  • Peer Relationships

  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

  • School Issues

  • Sex Therapy

  • Self Esteem & Self Confidence

  • Self-harming & Suicidal Ideation

  • Separation, Divorce, Co-Parenting, Blending Families

  • Single parents

  • Sleep / Insomnia

  • Social Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Trauma & PTSD (EMDR)

  • Women’s Issues