Resilience oriented psychotherapy for
healing and change.
*Providing virtual sessions across Ontario and in-person in Toronto.
Supporting your natural capacity for growth.
About Me
I’ve been in clinical practice for over 25 years and I love what I do. I feel privileged to support people through change as they discover new possibilities for themselves.
I am a Master’s level registered social worker. I graduated from the University of Toronto in 1995, and have been working in community and hospital settings ever since. I also hold a bachelor of Social Work degree and a bachelor of Arts in Psychology. My graduate studies focused on therapy ethics, and I co-authored a handbook for clients and therapists entitled, Client Rights in Psychotherapy and Counselling: A Handbook of Client Rights and Therapist Responsibility. It continues to be cited in professional ethics courses and standards of practice.
I enhance my clinical practice by attending regular professional development trainings. I am both committed to and passionate about personal and professional development and expect to be a life-long learner. I also consider supervision integral to competent and ethical practice, and I participate in both group and individual supervision.
I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (ocswssw.org), and adhere to the College’s professional standards of practice and code of ethics. I am also a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (oasw.org) and the AEDP Institute (aedpinstitute.org) in New York.
“ In the midst of winter, I found there was,
within me, an invincible summer.”
My Practice
I provide psychotherapy to adult individuals on a short and long-term basis. My approach is empathic, genuine and respectful. Central to my work is establishing a therapeutic relationship that is safe and secure, so you feel at ease to share and explore your own story for the purpose of healing and transformation. From there, the work we do is uniquely tailored to your individual needs.
As a therapist, I’m guided by my experience in fields ranging from anti-oppressive, community-based practice to mainstream mental health. I combine this rich history with current training in interpersonal neurobiology and affective neuroscience, as well as my own life experience, to offer a service that is both well-informed and evolving.
I integrate different models of psychotherapy, including psychodynamic, relational, mindfulness, cognitive, somatic and attachment oriented. My home base, however, is comprised of experiential therapies because they optimize the brain’s capacity for change, growth and healing, using models and interventions that go beyond traditional talk therapy to create deeper and longer lasting change.
Over the years, I’ve seen some of life’s greatest challenges met by people with even greater resilience. This has given me confidence in our natural capacities to right ourselves when things go wrong. We’re built to bounce back from adversity. By supporting your natural capacities for resilience and healing, I hope to help you feel deeply connected to a positive and true experience of yourself and those you love.
Practice Areas:
Trauma & PTSD
Anxiety & Depression
Relationships, including LGBTQ2S+
Transitions, including Grief & Loss
“There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”
Fee
& Payment
The rate for a 60 minute individual session is $175*.
Payment is due at the end of each session in the form of cash, cheque or eTransfer.
A full 24 hours notice is required for cancellations. Otherwise, the full fee will apply.
*Services provided by Registered Social Workers are HST exempt.
*Services provided by Registered Social Workers are often covered under extended health group benefit plans. Please confirm your coverage with your employer or provider.
*In Ontario, services provided by Registered Social Workers are considered a medical expense for tax purposes. You may be able to claim fees not covered by your extended health provider on your personal income tax.
Location
Dupont & Spadina
Toronto, Ontario
647-878-3350
My office is within walking distance of Dupont subway station.
Contact
647-878-3350
michelle@michellemelanson.ca
Providing virtual sessions for clients across Ontario and in-person in Toronto.
