PRACTICE

Taking a trauma-informed approach, Melina uses psychodynamic, attachment-focused, family systems, and mindfulness-based treatment models. She fundamentally encourages clients to deepen their self-understanding. Addressing the interconnection between mind, body, and brain, she may help clients explore the origins of current challenges, recognize patterns where emotions from past negative experiences are repeated in present thoughts and actions, examine how various contexts—such as family, community, culture, or history—affect their wellbeing, and learn to notice how emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations are interconnected.

All of these evidence-based treatment models share the goal of helping clients loosen the knots that have prevented deep and lasting feelings of security, happiness, and peace.

Melina collaborates with clients to develop a treatment plan after gaining a clear understanding of their presenting concerns. She reassesses regularly and may adapt the plan as circumstances evolve. Central to the success of any treatment program is the quality of the relationship between client and therapist, and Melina is committed to working with you in a safe and secure manner.

Melina treats;

trauma and PTSD

anxiety and panic

depression

grief

attachment issues

relationship problems

stress and anger management

school and workplace issues

loss of motivation and drive

self-harm

loved one with mental illness (past or present)

life transitions (puberty, marriage, pregnancy, postpartum, parenthood, menopause, etc.)

Melina also has extensive experience in three areas.

1) Pregnancy and postpartum support (for women and men).

The concerns may include;

questions about whether to have a child or not

exploration of thyroid and ferritin/iron levels

assisted conception

infertility and pregnancy loss

complex or high risk pregnancy, medical interventions, & birth trauma / PTSD)

lack of self-care and/or risky behaviours

concerns about bonding with infant

emotional disconnection (from pregnancy and/or birth experience or from infant)

excessive worry, sadness, or anger

adaptation issues (struggle with the identity of ‘mother’ or ‘father’)

high expectations/perfectionism

2) Parenting support. Whether the challenges are parent or child/teen-specific, Melina helps parents gain greater confidence in their ability to promote the long-term wellbeing of their family.

a) The parent-specific challenges may include;

low self-confidence

concerns about the quality of love or connection

martial or co-parenting difficulties

chronic illnesses

lack of self-care

grief

depression or anxiety

trauma or PTSD

stress

anger management

negative early life experiences.

b) The child/teen-specific concerns may include;

emotional dysregulation

behavioural challenges (hitting, biting, screaming, whining, etc.)

self-harm

substance abuse

anxiety or depression

trauma or PTSD

low self-confidence

school refusal

bullying and social concerns (peer pressure)

screen-time and social media issues.

3) Cross-cultural, inter-generational trauma, racialized trauma, and immigration support. Melina helps individuals gain insight about the intersection and impact various factors, such as family, culture, or community, play on their wellbeing and to support these insights towards the process of making positive change.

The factors may include;

feelings of discomfort and/or confusion about multiple forms of belonging or identity

the inherited transmission of trauma through negative patterns of behaviour and thought

the emotional affects of systemic racism

feelings of homesickness for and/or anger towards original or familial birth-place.