|
Melissa Bollinger Seiling,
|
Work Experience:
Melissa is a practicing Social Worker/Psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, groups, and families. She has worked in multiple sectors including primary care, community agencies and in private practice. A wide range of sub-fields including children’s mental health, trauma, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and adjustment after a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Currently working as a clinical social worker for adults in a Family Health Team setting. Areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, stress reduction, trauma (EMDR trained), adjustment disorders, and grief and loss. Her experience as an individual and group therapist brings a competence and ease with facilitating a safe, inclusive and grounded experience for a wide diversity of people.
Melissa also offers workshops on the positive impact of nature on physical and mental health.
Education:
Background/Interests:
Values: inclusion, kindness, egalitarianism, less-is-more (minimalism)
Leadership Style:
Melissa is a practicing Social Worker/Psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, groups, and families. She has worked in multiple sectors including primary care, community agencies and in private practice. A wide range of sub-fields including children’s mental health, trauma, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and adjustment after a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Currently working as a clinical social worker for adults in a Family Health Team setting. Areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, stress reduction, trauma (EMDR trained), adjustment disorders, and grief and loss. Her experience as an individual and group therapist brings a competence and ease with facilitating a safe, inclusive and grounded experience for a wide diversity of people.
Melissa also offers workshops on the positive impact of nature on physical and mental health.
Education:
- B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy (1998) Bethel University, MN
- Master of Social Work (2005) University of Toronto
- Brief and Narrative Therapies for Families, Couples and Individuals, a year-long post-graduate clinical extern training program - Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Gail Appel Institute in Toronto
- Forest Therapy Guide Training (2016) Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)
- Wilderness & Remote First Aid (2017)Canadian Red Cross
- EMDR trained - (2024) Niagara Stress and Trauma Clinic
Background/Interests:
- grew up on a farm, spent most of her childhood outdoors and has rediscovered her own need for nature connection through Forest Therapy practices
- passionate about being in nature year-round
- backcountry canoeing and backpacking, hiking, reading, skiing (alpine and nordic), savouring the simple things slowly, getting a laugh, photographing nature
Values: inclusion, kindness, egalitarianism, less-is-more (minimalism)
Leadership Style:
- emphasizes equality, anti-hierarchy, gentle guidance, non-judgemental
- non-dogmatic, supportive, validating, equanimity, calm, non-prescriptive
- skilled at putting others at ease, and aims to support people's direct encounter with nature, encouraging an attitude of curiosity and discovery
- 90+ guided walks (2016-2025), including corporate wellness sessions, private walks and walks offered through the Family Health Team
- Nominee for the Bright Lights award for innovative practice (Forest Therapy) through the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (2017)
- Melissa is the first certified Forest Therapy Guide in Niagara