About Melissa
Hello, I’m Melissa (she/her), an Intern Counsellor at Sea to Tree Health & Wellness completing my Master of Counselling Psychology at Athabasca University and working toward registration with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
I bring over a decade of experience supporting individuals navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and the impacts of difficult life experiences. My approach is collaborative, strengths-focused, and grounded in the belief that every person carries innate wisdom and resilience.
I have particular experience supporting people navigating substance use and recovery, whether they are questioning their relationship with substances, early in recovery, or working to build a meaningful life beyond addiction.
I have completed specialized training in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, an approach that helps clients clarify what they want their lives to look like and identify the strengths and resources they already have to get there. I also draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with particular experience in CBT for addictions, as well as trauma-informed practices. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a brain-based therapy that can help process trauma, support recovery, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In my work with clients, I often incorporate nervous system regulation strategies to help people better understand and work with their stress responses. Many clients find that learning how their nervous system functions can bring both relief and practical tools for navigating anxiety, overwhelm, and difficult emotions.
I also enjoy working with neurodiverse adults, including those navigating ADHD and late diagnosis. Understanding your brain in new ways can be both empowering and challenging, and I aim to offer a space where neurodiversity is approached with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
Whether you’re hoping to explore long standing patterns, navigate life transitions, or simply feel a little better after a single conversation, I aim to meet you where you’re at and tailor support to your unique needs. I believe in making the counselling process transparent and collaborative. My goal is for people to leave each session feeling heard, supported, and equipped with something meaningful they can carry forward.
Alongside working through challenges, I am also interested in helping people move beyond surviving toward thriving—supporting clients in building resilience, strengthening relationships, and maximizing well-being and life satisfaction.
My practice is shaped by both professional experience and lived experience, which inform my deep respect for the courage it takes to reach out for help.
I feel fortunate to call Sooke home. In my spare time I enjoy swimming in the Sooke River in the summer, bundling up for winter walks at Whiffen Spit (and greeting every dog I meet along the way), attending live music, and spending time with my partner and our cat.
Services Melissa Offers
• Counselling that blends reflection, practical strategies, and nervous system regulation
• Single-session, short-term, and longer-term therapy
• Psychoeducation and practical skill-building
• Support for life transitions, stress, and personal growth
• Collaborative goal-setting and strengths-based support
Modalities I Incorporate
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• CBT for Substance Use and Addictions
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Nervous system regulation strategies
• Strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches
• Psychoeducation and skill development
Areas of Focus
• Anxiety and depression
• Substance use and recovery
• Stress and overwhelm
• Self-esteem and self-compassion
• Life transitions and adjustment
• Neurodiversity, including ADHD and late diagnosis in adults
• Nervous system regulation and emotional resilience
• Building coping skills and resilience
• Maximizing wellbeing, meaning, and life satisfaction
Choisissez un service, puis une durée et un mode — les heures à droite suivent votre choix.
