Melodie McLymont

Sometimes what brings a family to therapy isn’t one big moment. It’s the accumulation of things that have become harder to carry. A child who is struggling at school. A teenager who has started pulling away. A family trying to understand what’s underneath a change in behaviour. Or an adult who has spent so much time supporting everyone else that there hasn’t been much room left for themselves.

I work with children, youth, adults, and families, drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the human services field. My approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive, with the belief that meaningful change begins by understanding the person within the context of their relationships, environment, and experiences. I want clients to feel heard without judgment and supported in identifying both the barriers they’re facing and the strengths they already have.

Much of my professional experience has been in educational and community settings, where I’ve supported children and youth through social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges. I currently work within the Toronto District School Board, where I support students and families through assessment, counselling, referrals, and ongoing case management. This work often involves understanding the barriers that may be affecting a young person’s ability to attend school or participate fully, working alongside families to develop strengths-based plans, and connecting them with the supports they need.

I also have experience providing short-term counselling to students experiencing mental health challenges, supporting emotional regulation and coping skills, and facilitating both individual and group programming. My clinical work may draw from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, strengths-based approaches, and practical strategies for emotional regulation and coping. I have also completed training in CBT for Schools, grief and bereavement, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, alongside specialized training in suicide intervention and prevention.

For families, I believe that the relationship between a child or teen and the people around them is an important part of understanding what they’re experiencing. I work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals when appropriate, helping families better understand what may be happening beneath a behaviour and identify practical ways to support positive change. Sometimes that means strengthening communication. Sometimes it means developing new coping strategies, addressing barriers, or helping a young person feel more supported at home and at school.

My experience also includes supporting high-risk adolescents in residential settings, where I provided one-on-one support and counselling while helping promote safety, emotional wellbeing, and positive coping strategies. I have experience with crisis intervention and behaviour management, as well as safety-focused work with young people experiencing significant challenges. These experiences taught me the importance of remaining grounded, compassionate, and practical when things feel overwhelming.

I’ve spent much of my career working alongside children, youth, and families within complex systems, and I know that accessing support can sometimes feel like another job on an already full list. My role is not simply to identify what isn’t working. It’s to work with you to understand what is getting in the way, recognize what is already working, and find realistic steps forward.

I hold a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Child and Youth Worker diploma from George Brown College. I am a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

If you’re considering therapy for yourself, your child, or your family, I offer a free 20-minute consultation, available in person in Pickering or virtually anywhere in Ontario. It’s a low-pressure opportunity to share a little about what’s bringing you in, ask questions, and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit.