Meet Melanie

Why I Became a Therapist

My interest in counselling began when I was a teenager.

My family had a close friend who was a social worker, and she became someone I could talk to during a complicated time in my life. She listened in a way that helped me feel heard and understood.

That experience showed me how powerful it can be to have one person slow down, listen closely, and make room for what you are sharing.

That early experience became part of why I chose this work. I went on to complete my Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work (clinical stream) and became a Registered Social Worker.

Over the years, I have worked in community mental health, non-profit settings, the health authority, and private practice. Those experiences gave me a broad understanding of how people are affected by their relationships, environments, histories, stress, and nervous systems.

They also taught me that no two people come into therapy with the same story.

My Experience and Training

I bring more than 20 years of clinical experience to my work with clients.

My training is diverse because no single modality addresses the full complexity of human beings. I draw upon several approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), choosing what fits your individual needs and goals.

EMDR can help you with distressing experiences that still feel active in the present.

Schema Therapy can help you understand deep-rooted beliefs and coping patterns that developed earlier in life, and begin to shift them

DBT can support emotional regulation, relationship skills, and practical ways to manage distress.

CBT can help you recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours keep you stuck in cycles that contribute to anxiety, depression, and other struggles.

How I Approach Therapy

I look beyond surface-level symptoms because people are complex.

Anxiety, burnout, relationship conflict, emotional reactions, perfectionism, avoidance, and self-doubt often have deeper roots. They can be connected to trauma, unmet emotional needs, attachment injuries, long-standing beliefs, or coping strategies that once helped you get through something difficult.

In therapy, we will explore those connections at a pace that feels manageable.

I will listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and help you make sense of the patterns that keep showing up in your life. I will also offer practical tools and strategies you can use between sessions, so therapy supports your daily life and not only what happens in the room.

I bring extensive training, clinical experience, and an open, non-judgmental presence. You bring your lived experience, insight, and goals.

Together, we will work toward meaningful change that feels realistic for your life.

What You Can Expect When We Work Together

Therapy with me is supportive, thoughtful, and active.

You can expect a space where you are not judged, rushed, or treated like a problem to fix.

You can also expect us to look honestly at what is no longer working.

I will help you understand why certain reactions, relationships, or patterns feel so hard to shift. We will look at what your emotions and body are trying to tell you, where old beliefs may still be influencing your choices, and what helps you feel more steady and in control.

Some sessions may focus on understanding the past. Others may focus on what is happening in your life right now or your future.

They all matter.

The goal is to help you feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to respond to life instead of feeling controlled by old patterns.

A Little About Me Outside the Therapy Room

Outside of my work, I find joy in the simple parts of life.

I enjoy walking, reading, going to the gym, spending time in nature, and being with my husband, our two sons, and our mini goldendoodle, Molly.

I also have a lifelong love for music. I appreciate how it shifts emotions, tells stories, and connects us through shared experience. My playlist might surprise you: it’s a mix of heavy metal, alternative, rap, and EDM.

These parts of my life help me stay connected to what I value most: relationships, movement, curiosity, and the everyday moments that help life feel meaningful.

Ready to Begin?

Finding the right therapist is important.

If you are looking for a trauma-informed therapist in Winnipeg or virtually within Manitoba who will take the time to understand your story, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect with you.

Reaching out is the first step. From there, we can explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

Reach out for a free consultation