Melissa Fortuin · Cornerstone Counselling · Edmonton

About Melissa

Their own words

Melissa is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who completed her Master of Counselling degree through City University of Seattle in Canada. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from Concordia University of Edmonton. She has been working in the mental health field for roughly 10 years and has been counselling for the past 5 years. Melissa was initially attracted to a career as a therapist because she observed how helpful therapy has been to people close to her. This belief has been reinforced through her work with clients seeking to overcome childhood wounds and other relational ruptures that have led to the development of mental health problems. Melissa’s therapeutic work is currently focused on adults (particularly young adults) who live with depression, anxiety, stress, and various forms of trauma. When she isn’t counselling, Melissa enjoys reading good books, coffee, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her husband and kids. Inspirational Quotes: “Fortunately the human psyche, like human bones, is strongly inclined toward self-healing. The psychotherapist’s job, like that of the orthopaedic surgeon’s, is to provide the conditions in which self-healing can best take place.”- Bowlby, 1988 “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” – Brown, 2010 “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Rogers, 1961 How do you believe counselling can help? I believe our deepest wounds often occur because our relationships with others are less than ideal. Counselling helps by providing a safe, judgement-free space to process how these relationships create maladaptive assumptions about ourselves, the world, and our safety in it. We are then able to begin creating and testing new assumptions and ways of interacting with ourselves and the people around us. Your approach to counselling: My approach to counselling is deeply rooted in attachment theory, influenced by the work of John Bowlby and Sue Johnson. I also pull heavily from cognitive behavioural interventions (how thoughs, feelings, and behaviours mutually influence one another) and the mindfulness interventions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Finally, I am a client-centred therapist who tries to tailor my approach to my clients’ needs and readiness to change. Availability: Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Specialties in Counselling: Anxiety Attachment-informed counselling Depression Life transitions and coming of age issues Post-secondary students Stress management Trauma (past/current)

Often treats: AnxietyEmotion RegulationRelationship IssuesSuicidal Thoughts
Sees: Adults (18+)
Trained at: Melissa is a Registered Provisional Psychologist who completed her Master of Counselling degree through City University of Seattle in Canada. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from Concordia University of Edmonton. She has been working in the mental health field for roughly 10 years and has been counselling for the past 5 years.
Credentials: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (M.ACP.)
Member of: College of Alberta Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologist, #P7293