Growing up with a narcissistic parent, I sensed something wasn’t right. It took decades to understand why I felt different, enduring pain, loneliness, and baffling medical issues. The emptiness and abuse of my childhood led to further damaging experiences including unhealthy relationships, one of which resulted in life-altering surgery.
Several years later, at the beginning of my social work career, I found myself having a profound physical (somatic) and emotional numbing reaction to a Dr. Phil’s episode entitled “Mothers Who Hate Their Daughters.” This reaction signalled that something was deeply amiss. I felt an ethical obligation to understand this phenomenon to better serve my clients, whom I deeply care for. This spurred me to understand this phenomenon to better serve my clients.
After several agonizing and enlightening years of personal growth, pain, and healing, I confronted my own trauma and became a specialist in narcissistic abuse. Witnessing the struggle to find qualified help inspired me to become my own hero and extend a helping hand to remarkable individuals and couples like yourselves on your own healing journeys.
I hold eight qualifications, including Dr. McBride’s WIEBGE Level 1 & 2, making me currently the sole Level 2 provider in Canada. I’m DBT trained, a Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider, and a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) studying under Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Additionally, I’m a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Gottman Level 1 & 2 Trained therapist.
With over 15 years of experience and qualifications as a sex therapist, I bring a wealth of expertise to those I serve. Having navigated my own journey with narcissistic individuals in both professional and personal settings, I deeply understand the pain associated with such relationships. As a qualified personality disorder treatment provider, I specialize in working with individuals with narcissistic and borderline personality disorders or traits, offering a unique advantage in assisting survivors and their families.
My genuine care for those I have the honour to serve drives my commitment to providing a safe space for healing. I understand the anxiety that can accompany opening up after being silenced for so long and strive to create a supportive environment for every client. Having experienced the consequences of incorrect help firsthand, I’m dedicated to ensuring you receive the quality care you deserve.
I offer virtual counselling sessions and flexible evening and weekend appointments, ensuring top-notch support from the comfort of your chosen location. With 20 years of experience in behavioural health and intimate partner violence, I serve individuals with compassion, respect, and dedication.
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READ DETAILSBlandit fauce bus perce viverra sem rutrum vulputate came faucibus condim entum imperdiet in velarus lacinia place tortor
READ DETAILSBlandit fauce bus perce viverra sem rutrum vulputate came faucibus condim entum imperdiet in velarus lacinia place tortor
READ DETAILSBlandit fauce bus perce viverra sem rutrum vulputate came faucibus condim entum imperdiet in velarus lacinia place tortor
READ DETAILSPsychologist
All Branches
Total Patient
Achievement
Masters in Social Work (MSW) (University of Windsor) 2012
Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider
Will I Ever Be Good Enough (WIEBGE) Level 1& 2 Therapist Provider with Dr. Karyl McBride
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy & Mindfulness Dual Certification Training: Interventions for Trauma, Anxiety, Addiction, Personality Disorders, Chronic Pain & More
Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) Training with Dr. Ramani Durvasula
Honours. B.A in Social Development Studies with a minor in Couples Marriage and Family Studies (University of Waterloo) 2006
Masters in Social Work (MSW) (University of Windsor) 2012
Diploma in General Social Work (Renison University College) 2006
Certificate in Child Abuse Studies (Renison University College) 2006
Gottman Level 1 & 2 Training Gottman Level 1 & 2 Training The Gottman Institute The Gottman Institute Issued Jan 2023
Certified Human Rights Education Training Human Rights Education US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Issued Aug 2022 Credential ID 57033973
Certified Human Trafficking Prevention Training Human Trafficking Prevention US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Issued Aug 2022 Credential ID 56089521Certified Human Rights Education Training Human Rights Education US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Issued Aug 2022 Credential ID 57033973
Certified Human Rights Education Training Human Rights Education US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Issued Aug 2022 Credential ID 57033973
SAFE - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation SAFE - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation Consortium For Children Issued Jul 2021
SAFE FOR SUPERVISORS - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation SAFE FOR SUPERVISORS - Structured Analysis Family Evaluation Consortium For Children Issued Jul 2021
Inclusive and Ethical Leadership Certificate Inclusive and Ethical Leadership Certificate USF Corporate Training and Professional Education Issued Jan 2021
Designated Capacity Assessor Designated Capacity Assessor Government of Alberta Issued Jan 2015
Accessibility Training Certificate Accessibility Training Certificate University of Windsor Issued Jan 2011
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Canadian Mental Health Association Issued Jan 2011
Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans Course on Research Ethics (TCPB 2: CORE) Ethical
ASPSH Individual Membership Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health
Case Management Certificate Case Management Certificate McMaster University Department of Medicine
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Alberta Health Services
“Malissa is, without a doubt, a very experienced and knowledgeable therapist. She is very dedicated to her clients and demonstrates exceptional people skills. Malissa’s is very reliable and dependable while also being quite creative. She is gifted at transplanting her skills in providing the best interventions to a variety of populations.”
“I love you. It may be inappropriate but I do! I feel like the heavens aligned and brought me to you. I am forever grateful! I have a spiritual director and she thinks it’s brilliant that I am working with you.”
“You’re like a veteran in the field and know so much. I find I am not wasting time with you and it means a lot of me. I get it now!”
“Malissa Keeps it real and has even made me laugh, which I think helped me see things differently. She does not sugar coat anything and does all that weird stuff that normal counsellors do”
“I feel like I am going to talk to my best friend who totally gets me, expect we work on shit that is hard and I feel exhausted but better later.”
“We have seen several therapists over the years and no one got down to it like Malissa did! We are honestly doing better, although not perfect, than we ever thought possible. Most therapists won’t work with us because of our complexities and type of relationships we have. We sing her praises!”
“I love Malissa. She helped me learn how to have orgasms again!”
“When people ask me who I’m talking to I tell them ‘Malissa my feelings doctor’ because you help me learn about and fix my feelings.”
“I love you Malissa! I wish that I could spend the whole weekend with you, whether at the bar having a beer or a whole weekend at the spa just talking with you so I can learn from your wisdom.”
“I like that both of us were able to get things off of our chest.”
“I like your ‘this is business’ right off the bat approach and give the session 5 stars out of 5 stars right now as you did not waste time.”
“(Malissa) is not afraid to call me out on my stuff, which really helps me. I always leave feeling like I have more hope and know what to do next. I am learning and growing a lot”
“Thank you for helping me with my transition.”
“You are a Godsend and is so appreciative of your training and willingness to deal with the emergent issue first. I feel that you would be a good fit and I am looking forward to my treatment.”
“You are really good at what you do.”
“It’s helpful that you point out my progress, as I forget how far I have come since seeing you.”
“Thank you for never giving up on me”
“I thought it would be hard to talk about sex with you- but it was easy and I am glad I did!”
“You really keep it real!”