Melissa Palmerini
MSW Student, Registered Social Worker
Individual (ages 4+) & Couple Therapist
"Life can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s hard to carry it all on your own. I love supporting people through their challenges and feel privileged to create a space where you are met with empathy, understanding, and practical guidance, helping you move forward with confidence and clarity."
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Accepting New Clients
Areas of Expertise
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Abuse
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Adoption
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Alcohol Abuse
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Anger
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Anger Management
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Anxiety
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Autism
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Autism & Developmental Delays
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Behavioral Issues
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Body Image
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Bullying
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Chronic Illness
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Chronic Pain or Illness
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Codependency
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Communication
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Confidence
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Depression
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Divorce
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Dual Diagnosis
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Emotional Abuse
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Emotional Regulation
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Emotion Regulation
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Family Dynamics
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Family planning
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Fears / Phobias
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Grief & Loss
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Grief, loss, bereavement
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Infertility or Adoption
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Infidelity
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Intellectual Disability
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Internet Addiction
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Learning Disabilities
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Life Transitions
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Loneliness
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Men's Issues
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Mental Disorders
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Mood disorders
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Post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
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Racial Identity
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
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Relationship Issues
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School Challenges
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Self-Esteem
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Self Esteem
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Sex, sexuality, intimacy
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Sleep Disorder
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Social Anxiety Disorder
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Social Isolation
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Social Skills & Communication
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Stress
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Stress & Burnout
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Substance Abuse
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Substance Use
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Suicidal Thoughts
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Trauma
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Video Game Addiction
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Weight Loss
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Women's Issues
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Workplace stress
About Me
I am a Master of Social Work student at the University of Toronto dedicated to supporting children, youth, and adults through life’s challenges, transitions, and moments of growth. My mission as a therapist is to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood without judgment, pressure, or a one-size-fits-all approach. I believe therapy works best when it’s collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each person’s unique strengths, needs, and circumstances. My goal is to meet you where you are, provide practical tools and coping strategies, and help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and a touch of lightness along the way.
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Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including schools, mental health agencies, crisis response services, and community programs. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how different environments, social systems, and life experiences impact emotional well-being. They’ve also reinforced my belief that therapy should always be flexible, creative, and grounded in real life, not just theory.
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In our work together, I focus on equipping you with practical tools and strategies that you can use in your everyday life. Whether it’s building coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions, developing problem-solving strategies, improving communication, or navigating challenging transitions, my goal is to help you feel more confident, resilient, and capable. I also integrate psychoeducation to help you understand your patterns, reactions, and strengths, because knowledge is power, and insight often feels like relief.
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My approach blends evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and mindfulness practices. Sessions are tailored to you, incorporating practical exercises, reflection, and skill-building so that progress feels tangible and lasting. I also bring a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens, recognizing that each person’s experiences, identity, and context shape the way they relate to themselves and others.
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I strive to bring authenticity, warmth, and even a touch of humour into therapy, because growth doesn’t always have to be serious or heavy. Life is complicated, and sometimes the best breakthroughs happen when we can approach it with curiosity, courage, and a little lightness.
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Outside of my work as a therapist, I love mindfulness, traveling, and occasionally splurging on an overpriced coffee, because sometimes the little things keep life interesting. I bring that same sense of curiosity, lightness, and real-world perspective into sessions, helping clients uncover their strengths, learn practical coping strategies, and move forward with confidence, balance, and a bit of humor along the way.
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If you’re ready to explore your emotions, develop practical skills, and take meaningful steps toward a more balanced and fulfilling life, I’m here to walk alongside you, providing support, guidance, and real-world strategies every step of the way.









