A Fine Arts Specialist with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, Melanie has been nurturing students and helping them gain the strength to tell their own stories for over 25 years. Melanie maintains a keen interest in working innovatively with students, in particular those who have special needs. Her creative approaches to teaching have resulted in her receiving both the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the first ever Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Education. In addition to her two Bachelors of Arts, Melanie holds a Bachelor of Education as well as Master of Education degrees in both Special Education and Counselling. 

When counselling, Melanie’s therapeutic approach is narrative within a client-centred framework for both individuals and groups. Although interested in everyone’s story, Melanie has a special interest in working with adolescents.

Along with Anita, Melanie is also active in the application of animal-assisted therapy in Nova Scotia and clients are most welcome to request Melanie’s hypoallergenic Therapy Dog, Karma, attend their counselling sessions.

Melanie was very excited to learn in recent years of her Métis heritage and feels a natural connection to many Indigenous teachings.