Meet melissa riewald (she/her)
Hi there! My name is melissa riewald and I am a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Spoken Shore Psychotherapy. I completed my Master of Arts in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy at Wilfrid Laurier University and hold an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and French from Calvin University.
Life can feel messy, confusing, and out of balance sometimes, and we all need someone to talk to. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, a long-standing issue, or recent curve ball you didn’t see coming, I believe change is possible and that we all have within us resilience and an innate capacity to heal. In my practice I work with individuals and couples and draw upon several evidence-based approaches. I am registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and hold Level 1 certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT).
Coming alongside people as they journey through life’s challenges is a great privilege and I feel honoured to share space with the people I support. I am dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment in which you feel free to explore your circumstances, and express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or criticism. I am trauma-informed, 2SLGBTQIA+ positive, and welcoming of people from all backgrounds. I believe firmly that healing happens on the foundation of a trusting, authentic relationship, and I’m confident that together we can find a new and hopeful way forward.
When not at work, I enjoy doing just about anything in nature including hiking, kayaking, and long walks up the rail trail. I also enjoy writing, creating art, singing, and just being.
If you would like to meet with me for a free consultation or psychotherapy intake, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be honoured to connect with you and join you in your journey.
“Do not believe that she who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. Her life has much difficulty and sadness...
Were it otherwise she would never have been able to find those words.”*
— Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
(*pronouns personalized)