Life can be hard. Relationships can be really hard. It's natural to feel overwhelmed, powerless, hopeless, anxious, and depressed when one of our important relationships is going poorly. When we get stuck and don't know how to get unstuck, it can feel like our whole world is crumbling around us.
My name is Melissa, and I help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. When our relationships are in balance, we tend to be in balance. When they get out of balance, everything in life becomes more of a struggle. This is part of being human. I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in my work with individuals, couples, and families. EFT provides us with a map. It helps us understand what is going wrong in our relationships and what we can do differently to create lasting change.
The process:
I spend time getting to know you, your relationship, and exploring what you tend to do with emotion. We work together to understand what is happening, slow down the interactions, hear the underlying needs and fears of everyone involved, understand where you are getting caught, and help you experience new ways of interacting. Understanding where we get stuck, why we get stuck, how to do things differently, and then experiencing this new way of interacting can be transformational.
EFT is based on science, and the results are excellent. Ninety percent of couples who completed Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) reported a significant improvement in their relationship, and these results tend to be sustained over time. Additionally, the benefits tend to ripple. Helping to deepen and strengthen relationships with extended family, close friends, and children of all ages. As humans, it's natural for us to form strong bonds with our loved ones. When our bonds become weak, we feel fearful. My job is to help you better understand, repair, and strengthen these important bonds.
Clients report improved relationships, increased energy and confidence, and a reduction in symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
A little about me:
I have lived on the East Coast of Canada, the West Coast of Canada, and many places in between. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, a Canadian Certified Counsellor, and an ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist, with a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.
In my personal life, I am a mom and a stepmom. I've been married and divorced, and now I live as part of a complex blended family. I love spending time with my family, friends, and my horses.
I love my work, and I look forward to being part of your journey.
