Beaches Therapy Group

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Melanie Barker, MSW RSW

Registered Social Worker
Credentials
  • Master’s of Social Work
  • Registered Social Work
  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Certificate in Trauma-informed care
Areas of Specialization
  • Brief Therapy
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Emotion Focused Therapy
  • Dialectal Behavioral Therapy
  • Trauma Informed
  • Strength Based Approach
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Mindfulness Based Practices
  • Intergenerational trauma
  • Anti-Oppressive
  • Humanistic
  • Internal Family Systems Therapy
  • Attachment
  • Exposure and Response Prevention
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Compassion-focused Approach
  • Client Centred Therapy
  • Grief /Bereavement
Services Offered
  • Individual Therapy
  • First Responders – Occupational and Traumatic Stress
  • Separation and Divorce
Let's Connect

Hi! I’m Melanie.

I enjoy going for walks with my Boston Terrier, being out in nature, going to the beach, mindfulness, yoga, music, singing, and watching movies/TV. I also enjoy listening to psychology podcasts, reading, lifelong learning, and spending time with friends and family. I am happiest when I’m relaxing and cuddling with my dog.

Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us. - David Richo

Life is unpredictable and can be difficult sometimes. Grief, trauma, depression, anxiety, etc. are often isolating experiences, as it can seem like nobody else understands how awful you feel; you feel alone, drained, and you may withdraw socially, which ultimately makes you feel worse. Therapy can be a great pathway to reconnect with your authentic Self, reconnect with others, to clarify what you really want out of life, realize that you truly matter, and to regain a sense of purpose and meaning. I can help you to process difficult emotions and experiences, and to discover your strengths and resilience, while facilitating insight through an attachment lens, as exploring your inner world and healing past wounds increases self-efficacy, self-worth, creating a felt-sense of security, and can lead to profound changes.

I am a warm, compassionate, and skilled Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist with ten years of professional experience and a passion for supporting others on their healing journey. My approach to therapy is compassionate, non-judgmental, warm, strengths-based, holistic, relational, and integrative. I aim to build a strong therapeutic alliance, rooted in respect, empathy, and in creating genuine connections with clients, so that you can feel comfortable opening up and truly feel seen, heard, and cared for. I draw on various types of evidence-based therapy, such as Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Somatic Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Parts Work, and more; in order to meet the unique needs of each client.

I have a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours from York University, and I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I have experience supporting clients with a wide range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, addiction, grief, and PTSD, relationship concerns, stress/burnout, self-esteem, life transitions, and more; with my speciality being in trauma therapy. One of the most important factors in successful therapy is the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist. I invite you to book a free 15-minute session, which will give us a chance to get to know each other and to determine if we are indeed a good fit.