Melissa Roberts Tsiakos (she/her)
MA, RCC.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Melissa is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with over 17 years of experience working with youth, young adults, parents/caregivers and families in a variety of public mental health programs and in private practice. She has a depth of expertise in supporting adolescents, young adults, parents/caregivers and families with challenges such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, ADHD/ASD, grief and loss, trauma, and life transitions.
Melissa brings a variety of life experiences to her work. She is a proud mom of 2 young children and a lifelong resident of North Vancouver, where she lives with her husband and children.
FOCUS
Melissa understands the importance of a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship for meaningful therapy to take place. At the centre of her work, Melissa focuses on building a safe and supportive space where clients and caregivers can feel seen, heard, and valued.
Over time, Melissa has developed an integrative, trauma-informed approach to counselling that is tailored to each client’s individual needs. Melissa uses a systemic approach that acknowledges individuals in the context of their family, community, and broader society.
Melissa provides family-based support, including parenting education and guidance, to help caregivers feel more confident and better equipped to support their adolescents through identified challenges. She strives to empower caregivers with practical tools, knowledge, and understanding, while strengthening family relationships and communication.
Melissa uses evidence-based therapeutic modalities and finds great fulfilment in supporting clients, caregivers and families as they connect with their inner strengths and work through the challenges they are facing.
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT)
- Family Based Therapy (FBT) for Pediatric Eating Disorders (New Maudsley)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- Connect Parenting Program
Melissa’s Profile
| Location | Vancouver, B.C. |
| Ages | 12 - 30 and parents |
| Specialties |
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| Availability | In Person/Online Monday and Wednesdays |
| Qualifications | Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (MA) Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) |
Complimentary 15 minute consultation.
Approach
Melissa draws from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to explore how thoughts and emotions impact overall well-being, and to strengthen interconnectivity between the mind, body, and relationships. She also uses Narrative Therapy to support clients in sharing and reflecting on their life stories, expressing emotional needs, and cultivating a sense of belonging and connection with others. Melissa practices a neurodiversity-affirming approach, recognizing and valuing the unique strengths and lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals, and tailoring strategies that support well-being while honouring neurodiverse identities.
In her work with families, Melissa integrates evidence-based family interventions alongside parenting support and education to help caregivers feel more confident and better equipped to support their adolescent through identified challenges, including ADHD. Using Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Melissa supports parents/caregivers and families to identify, cope with, regulate, and transform their emotions in ways that strengthen relationships. Melissa also integrates Family-Based Therapy (FBT) alongside EFFT to provide comprehensive support to families supporting a loved one with an eating disorder.
Through this integrative and systemic approach, Melissa collaborates with individuals, caregivers and families to build resilience, enhance caregiver capacity, strengthen relationships, and foster lasting growth and well-being.
Fees
$170 per 50 minute session for individuals
$200 per 50 Minute Session for family
Payment in the form of a credit card is due at the end of each session unless other arrangements have been made. Please note that 2 business days notice is required to cancel a scheduled appointment to avoid being charged the full session fee. Some third party payment plans such as Insurance and Employee/Family Assistance Programs pay partial or total coverage for counselling services. Please follow up with your benefits plan/health care provider.