About Melissa

I’m a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (reg #: 10337) based in Toronto. I’m a graduate of the Canadian Institute for Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (crpo.ca). I’m a clinical member and sit on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Psychoanalytic Child Therapists. I can be found on their therapist directory page at www.capct.ca. In addition to my initial training in psychoanalytic child and adolescent therapist, I completed a year long certificate program in intersubjective self psychology at the Training and Research in Intersubjective Self Psychology foundation based in New York City (www.trisp.com), and have completed a Level One CBT Training through Sickkids Hospital in Toronto. As a continuation of my life long learning as a psychotherapist, I regularly consult with clinical supervisors.

I have a background in the arts with an honours BFA. This experience has made me all the more adept and aware of the impact of sharing experience, and the power of story and play as a form of communication. I have a love of working with both young children, adolescents and young adults. With preschool and younger latency aged children, the vehicle for therapy is primarily play-based. When working with older latency aged children, adolescents, and young adults, talking through the young persons experiences and helping them make sense of their feelings and world, is the typical form therapy takes. Whatever the age, building trust and developing the relationship is paramount to establishing a positive working therapeutic alliance. My aim is to create a safe, predictable space where a child, teen or young adult, can share or play out their troubles and where we can think together.