Taking the first step toward therapy can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to carry everything on your own. Whether you are navigating persistent self-doubt, chronic stress, or strained relationships, I am here to walk alongside you, offering a reliable, steady presence so you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Together, we will create a collaborative space to help you find your footing, uncover your strengths, and discover your next steps.
I practice from a client-centered and trauma-informed perspective, meaning you are always the expert of your own experience. I work collaboratively with clients to create a tailored approach that fits their unique needs. Using a blend of body-centered (somatic), experiential, and relational therapies I help clients gently process trauma, rebuild trust in themselves, and cultivate resilience. I bring an innate appreciation and understanding of holistic well-being and interconnectedness into my work. My eclectic framework adapts to each individual, whether they need nervous system support, practical coping tools, or deeper emotional exploration. Above all, I prioritize a warm, authentic, and nonjudgmental space where clients can catch their breath and connect with their innate capacity for healing.
My goal is to empower clients to embrace their authentic selves, cultivate self-compassion, and build healthier relationships—both with themselves and others. Using a strong therapeutic alliance, grounding techniques, and somatic trauma-processing frameworks, I help clients release stored stress, navigate intense emotions, and safely process difficult past experiences at their own pace. Together, we create a foundation of safety and resilience, enabling you to transition from simply surviving to navigating life’s challenges with greater confidence and clarity.
Experience:
Melissa has over 15 years’ experience working in education, teaching and supporting adult students through their desired career paths. When not at Foothills Integrative, Melissa teaches various courses at RIEL Institute including Communications in Counselling, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Indigenous Healing Methodologies, and Conflict Resolution.
Melissa brings warmth, authenticity, and a collaborative perspective to her practice, helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, self-esteem, and relational challenges. Practicing under the clinical supervision of Dr. Kelly Fredell, a registered psychologist, Melissa ensures her clients benefit from a dual layer of support, combining her training and experience with Kelly’s expert clinical oversight. Trained in body-centered and trauma-informed therapies, she integrates mind-body approaches to support holistic healing and is committed to walking alongside her clients on their journey toward wellness.
Education:
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, Mount Royal University, 2018
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary, 2024
Therapy Modalities & Training:
• Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy (IFOT): A body-centered (somatic) approach to healing trauma that honours land-based connections, ancestral wisdom, and cultural safety.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy
Areas of focus:
• Anxiety & Stress Management
• Burnout
• Trauma & Intergenerational healing
• Depression
• Self-Esteem
• Relational Issues
Specialties:
• Anxiety
• Trauma & Intergenerational healing
• Somatic-based Healing
• Culturally Safe & Holistic Care
