Hi,

I’m Melissa

No matter what you bring to this space, no matter how you feel: you are valid, and you are welcome here.

I get it. Turning toward the dark is scary. Security, even when it does not serve our best interests, can feel safer than the unknown. And yet, that feeling of something being not quite right can propel us toward a different path.

I am so glad that path has led you here.

As someone who has struggled, and who has turned to unhealthy ways of numbing my pain—especially in my earlier years—I get it. My struggle is what makes me so passionate about doing this work. Through my own healing journey, I have learned to accept both the beautiful and messy parts of being human and have embraced growing through the challenges of life.

This is where our work together begins: I deeply respect your decision to seek change and would be honoured to walk this path with you. I know living an authentic and purposeful life is possible, and as your counsellor, I will do my best to work side-by-side with you as you discover your way.

As a counsellor, I truly believe in our innate capacity for resilience, healing, and strength. I see therapy as a tool for supporting you in unearthing those parts of yourself that are possibly hiding beneath the surface.

Even if it feels like the emotional waves are holding you down, and you’re tumbling in the ocean not knowing which way is up, know that it is possible to find peace and contentment, and that eventually you will come up for air.

My Approach to Therapy

Calm, Grounding & Collaborative; Exploring mind & body-based approaches to wellness

In my practice, I welcome curiosity and compassion and invite you to lean into both awareness and acceptance of all parts of yourself, through evidence-supported therapies that are grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonized practices.

I help my clients

  • create meaningful connections

  • learn how to find comfort and ease in present-moment awareness

  • reframe old stories that keep you stuck

  • find support to step into the life they deserve

  • move forward feeling more confident, at ease and connected

Approach & Values

  • Trauma Focused

    At the core of my work, I come from a deep understanding that trauma, violence and other troubling experiences can contribute to our suffering and efforts to cope—the things that some may call “symptoms” or “behaviours.”

    
Approaches such as EMDR, IFS and Somatic therapy can support you in processing the past, so you can live more fully in the present and build your ideal future.

  • Meaningful Connection

    Creating a safe container for you to feel seen, heard, and understood is the foundation of my practice.

    The foundation of this work is ensuring our therapeutic relationship is secure and that you feel trusted and respected in this space we share.

    We will always take this at your pace, never pushing you where you don’t want to go.


  • Holistic & Inclusive Care

    I will support you in re-connecting with the wisdom of your whole-self in navigating personal and relationship challenges.

    
I take an Anti-Oppressive & Anti-Racist approach to my work, which means standing in ally-ship and being flexible to diverse personal, cultural and relational needs.

My Services

Individual Counselling

internal Family systems (IFS)

Eye movement desensitization & reprocessing (EMDR)

Psychedelic preparation & intergration

I believe that the foundation of any therapeutic relationship is true authentic connection

—and that authentic connection is built with mutual trust, openness, and respect

That is why, if asked, I am mindfully an open book. I embrace vulnerability and just being real with my clients. I am a human first, therapist second.

I am continually learning and growing as a professional and a human being. I am a deep thinker and have grown into embracing all parts of myself too. My pup, Kona, is a spirited, snuggly love-bug. She accompanies me on my favourite activities of surfing, hiking and generally being in nature recharging my batteries.

What started off to give back over 15 years ago—volunteering with youth and in a crisis call centre—quickly became my life passion. I have been honoured to have worked in Private Practice, as a Mental Health Clinician, and with Indigenous communities and folx from diverse backgrounds throughout my career as a social worker and therapist.

As a cis-gendered, white, heterosexual, settler woman, allyship and cultural safety with BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are a huge part of my being. I take a mindful, curious, and open approach and welcome all to my practice.

Education, training & certifications

Education and registration

  • Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate, Vancouver Island University*

  • Master of Social Work, Clinical Specialization University of Calgary

  • Bachelor of Social Work Ryerson University

  • Registered Social Worker (RSW) BC College of Social Workers

Professional Trainings

  • Psilocybin Assisted Therapy

  • Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration

  • Introduction to Psychedelic Assisted Therapy & Integration

  • Internal Family Systems, Level 1

  • Comprehensive Internal Family Systems Course

  • Advanced Internal Family Systems Course

  • Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate*

  • Mindfulness-Based Somatic Therapy, Level 1

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Basic Training

  • EMDR for Complex Trauma and Dissociation Across the Lifespan

  • EMDR Child & Adolescent Training, Level 1

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy: Self-Soothing, Empathic Affirmation and Direct Practice

  • Emotion-Focused Family Therapy

  • Dialectial Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills Training

  • Narrative Therapy, Foundations

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Trauma-Focused & Anxiety Disorders

  • San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training

  • Building Bridges through Understanding the Village, Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity

  • Motivational Interviewing, I & II

  • Trauma-Informed Practice

  • Core Addictions Practice

*In progress

I’d love to hear from you

Please reach out for a free consultation so that we can get to know each other.