Melissa Pawar MACP (Student Counsellor)

Hi, I’m Melissa,

Maybe you’ve been feeling anxious or overwhelmed, second-guessing yourself, struggling to feel confident, or simply feeling a little different from the people around you. You might be navigating ADHD or neurodivergence, changes in school or work, relationships, identity, or a major transition in your life. You may know something isn’t quite working, even if you’re not completely sure what needs to change yet.

I especially enjoy supporting adolescents, teens, and adults who are trying to better understand themselves, build confidence, manage anxiety, and find a way forward that feels more manageable and authentic.

Before beginning my clinical placement, I gained hands-on experience in community and mental health settings as a Mental Health Worker, Crisis Line Worker, Youth Care Worker, and in ABA support roles. Through this work, I’ve supported people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities, and life experiences. Those experiences taught me that meaningful support starts with understanding the person in front of me rather than assuming there is one “right” way to approach therapy.

In our sessions, you can expect warmth, curiosity, collaboration, and a space where you don’t need to have everything figured out before you arrive. We can slow things down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, notice patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical ways of responding differently. I draw from approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, somatic approaches, and other evidence-informed therapies depending on your needs and goals.

I believe counselling works best when you feel genuinely comfortable with the person sitting across from you. My role isn’t to judge you or tell you who you should be. It’s to help you understand yourself more clearly, strengthen what is already working, and support you in creating changes that feel meaningful to you.

I am currently completing my Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and my clinical placement with Grigore Counselling & Associates. My clinical work is supported through ongoing supervision with Lacey Poltorasky, MA, RCC, CCC.

You don’t need to know exactly what to say or where to begin. We can figure that out together.

More than my work:

A quote that has really inspired me to make bold decisions is: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne

Languages Spoken: English