Melissa Norman, BSW, RSW
Student Counselling Intern in Guelph, ON
About Melissa
Hello! I’m Melissa (she/her), a Registered Social Worker and Master of Social Work student. I bring a decade of experience in child protection, many years in residential services working directly with youth in foster care and adults with developmental disabilities, and volunteer experience as a crisis responder with Victim Services. I am also a Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the many challenges individuals and families face, as well as the importance of feeling heard, supported, and understood.
I was drawn to counselling through my work with children, youth, and families, where I witnessed both the impact of difficult life experiences and people's capacity for growth and change. I see counselling as an opportunity to create space for reflection, connection, and healing. My hope is to provide a warm, non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences, identifying their strengths, and working toward the changes that matter to them.
My approach is grounded in a person-centred, strengths-based, and trauma-informed perspective. I believe that each person brings their own knowledge, experiences, and strengths into the counselling relationship, and that meaningful change is most effective when it is collaborative. I am particularly interested in supporting individuals navigating life transitions, parenting challenges, domestic abuse, trauma and difficult family relationships.
As I continue developing my counselling skills, I am interested in approaches that support emotional awareness, practical coping strategies, and stronger relationships. I value curiosity, compassion, and the opportunity to work alongside clients as they explore what healing and growth may look like for them.
Outside of my professional and academic life, I enjoy spending time with my family, staying active with my two sons, and finding new adventures in nature.
To contact Melissa directly, please use the following email: melissan@changingtidescounselling.com
Specialties: Emotional Regulation, Life Transitions, Parenting, Domestic Violence, Trauma, Co-parenting, Children & Youth, Attachment, Personal Growth
Book an appointment with Melissa
If you’re ready to cast off, you can book your first online, telephone or in-person appointment below.