Melissa Ritchie
“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.”
–Michelle Rosenthal
Hello, my name is Melissa and I am incredibly grateful you are here! I look forward to joining you in your journey of healing. As a registered social worker, my entire career has been dedicated to mental health and related fields. Helping others, both personally and professionally, has always been my passion. I have extensive experience across diverse settings and populations. My work has encompassed non-profit organizations, housing first initiatives, residential addiction treatment programs, and forensic and correctional environments. Throughout my career, I have provided counseling, support, and assessments for individuals facing complex mental health and addiction challenges. I find great fulfillment in assisting others in gaining understanding, healing, and relief.
I provide in person (Calgary, AB) and virtual psychotherapy for adults, and specialize in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence based treatment, effective in processing many different types of trauma and mental health concerns. Trauma treatment can often be an extremely painful and lengthy process, which may deter individuals from truly addressing these concerns. It is possible to see results from ART in as little as 1-5 sessions (results can and will vary for each unique individual). I combine this processing treatment with influences from Attachment theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to provide a holistic approach to healing and recovery. Each client is unique, and I draw upon various frameworks and skills tailored to their specific needs.
My Approach
My goal in working with you is to help process trauma and past history that hinders you in your current life, and to experience freedom and joy you have been unable to attain in the past. I aim to uncover and address the root causes of what has held you back in life, so we can address and treat them together. It is always my priority to create a safe and inviting space for you to share and grow, and as someone who has spent their fair share of time in the client seat, I know the challenges and fears that can accompany therapy. Personally, I have experienced my own challenges throughout my life, including addiction, mental health concerns, grief and loss and complex trauma. Therapy was a major part of my healing journey, and it wasn’t until I found a therapist who practiced ART did I truly feel like I could move past some of the most painful things I had experienced and witnessed.
Sharing lived experience and my personal recovery is something I believe is incredibly powerful in my practice, and I do so to share hope and true understanding with those who are still in the midst of their struggles. My own personal history allows me to share deep compassion and empathy, and to create a safe place for clients to explore and heal with zero judgment. I believe the therapeutic relationship can be one of the most important factors in creating change, and I strive to create a healthy, trusting relationship with all of my clients.
Certifications
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Mount Royal University)
Master of Social Work - clinical specialization (University of Calgary)
Registered Social Worker - Alberta (RSW # 14485)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (basic training)
Additional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Attachment Theories.
You can begin the process of changing your life today. Book a complimentary consultation and we can begin the journey together.
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