Melinda Freitas, RCC

I have observed time and time again that clients who connect well with their therapist tend to get more out of the experience, trusting the process and the work involved. This ultimately leads to improved mental health and better outcomes in their lives!

I graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Bachelor of Arts Honours degree. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University, and have over 30 years of clinical and professional experience working with clients.

My work experience is vast in that it includes working in hospitals providing support to pediatric patients and their families, In safe-house/second-stage and third-stage transition homes supporting survivors of domestic violence, and in university counselling centres providing oversight of the centre and counselling support to both undergrad and graduate populations.

I have significant experience working in Indigenous health organizations with time spent in the North providing facilitation and learning in collaboration with Health Canada. I have also been a teacher of counselling to adult learners, as well as have facilitated groups for grief/loss.

I have extensive experience in victim services with police, counselling victims of trauma and assault, supporting families impacted by suicide or sudden death, and in providing support through critical incident and stress management programs,

I also deliver psychological first aid through BC’s disaster psychosocial program, and have supervised large networks of clinicians (staff and contractors) in a wide range of EFAP programs.

My professional interests are in supporting people dealing with grief and loss, trauma, family conflict, interpersonal relationships, life changes, anxiety, depression, stress management issues, and return to work programs.

I utilize evidence-based approaches such as Mindfulness-CBT, DBT, Family Systems, Solution-Focused/Brief Therapy as well as Holistic and whole-system approaches to improving health.

A little bit about me!

I have a love of history and am perpetually curious about various cultures. This curiosity makes me an avid traveler & world explorer.