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Adults
Youth (16+)
Grief & Loss
In Person
Virtual
A NOTE FROM MELISSA
Hi! I'm Melissa.
Visiting here is a choice you have made for yourself, and a meaningful one. Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with. Here's a little about myself and my approach to help you decide if we might be a good fit.
Perhaps you're reading this because life has been feeling heavier than it used to:
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Grief has changed your world, and you're learning how to live with a loss that others may not fully understand.
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Anxiety, low mood, or overwhelming emotions are making it hard to feel like yourself.
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You're used to putting others first, and you're finding it difficult to make space for your own needs.
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You're navigating a life transition and trying to find your footing in a future you didn't expect.
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You're questioning yourself, struggling to trust your decisions, or wondering how to move forward with greater confidence.
Or maybe everything looks fine from the outside, and you are tired of carrying the difference alone.
If any of this feels familiar, you do not have to sort through it alone.
As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported. My many years working in hospice care have shaped how I understand grief, loss, and change. I know that everyone's experience is different, and I believe there is no single right way to navigate difficult times. You don't need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We can begin wherever you are.
My therapeutic style is warm, relational, authentic, person-centred, and trauma-informed. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, exploring what's on your mind, and sharing as much or as little as feels right for you. I will meet you with empathy, curiosity, and respect, without judgement or expectations about where you should be. We will work together at a pace that feels right for you, making room for your emotions, values, beliefs, and sources of meaning. My hope is that our time together helps you feel more understood, more connected to yourself, and better able to trust yourself as you find your way forward.
However you found your way here, I'm glad you did. Your story is welcome here.
Melissa
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
What I can help with.
Life brings its challenges to all of us. Here are some of the primary reasons people reach out to me for support. Please feel free to click on any of the areas below to learn more about my approach to each one.
CLIENT-CENTRED
EVIDENCE-BASED
COLLABORATIVE
Shaping your therapy: My approaches.
No two people need the exact same thing from therapy. That is why we will work together to find the approach that best fits your unique story and current needs. The modalities listed below are the evidence-based approaches I most often integrate into sessions and introduce skills and tools from. The value of the therapeutic relationship is that it provides a supportive space to explore these tools, find or reclaim your voice, and carry that strength into your everyday life.
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Qualified to support you.
My training and experience inform the care I offer. I bring together professional registration, specialized training, and ongoing learning to support adults and youth (16 +).
EDUCATION & REGISTRATIONS
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Registered Psychotherist (Qualifying) with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
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Master Of Arts Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University
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B.A., Social Development Studies from University of Waterlo
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Member, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIALIZED TRAININGS
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Made Easy: ACT for PTSD, Anxiety, Depression & Personality Disorders by PESI Canada
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DBT Crash Course for Clinicians: 15 Core Techniques to Improve Emotional Regulation by PESI Canada
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OCD in Adults: Symptoms, Assessments, and an Introduction to First Line Treatments by NOCD Academy
BEGINNING THERAPY
A Simple Guide To Our First Session.
01
Simple Preparation
After booking, you will receive an email with a brief intake form to complete before our appointment. This covers essential consent details, practice policies, and some helpful background. For couples, both partners fill one out; for children, a parent takes care of it. Once submitted, you will receive all the practical details for our meeting—including parking directions or your secure video link.
02
A Space To Be Heard
Our first meeting is about getting to know you, rather than trying to solve everything at once. We will have a down-to-earth conversation about what has been going on in your life, explore the challenges you are facing, and discuss what you hope will be different. By the end of this first conversation, we will have a shared sense of how we can best work together and a direction for moving forward.
03
A Collaborative Rhythm
We will work together to find a pace that keeps you feeling secure while still helping you grow. You don't have to share everything on day one. As we build trust, I will support you, but I will also gently challenge you and offer new perspectives to help you move forward.
NEXT STEPS TO BOOK WITH MELISSA
Your Story Is Welcome Here.
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I HAVE QUESTIONS.
If you have a few questions first or prefer to coordinate a time together, feel free to send a quick note below. I will get back to you within 24–48 of my business hours.
