Melissa Fellin

Melissa Fellin is a Registered Social Worker and Certified Play Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting children, youth, and families. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as a Master of Arts and PhD in Anthropology from Western University. Melissa is also a member of the Canadian Association for Play Therapy.

Melissa teaches in the Department of Social Work, Continuing Education, and has previously taught in Youth & Children’s Studies and Contemporary Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Anthropology at Western University, and the Social Service Worker Program at Sheridan College. She is a trainer in Culturally Safe Health Care and holds a Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Safety in Health Care.

Melissa has extensive expertise in neurodiversity, trauma, and attachment. She works primarily with children experiencing medical trauma, anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing challenges. She also supports children navigating emotional regulation, grief and bereavement, and academic or sport-related stressors. Her practice includes working with children from refugee backgrounds, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and parents of neurodiverse, highly sensitive, and “fiery” children.

Her therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based and creative modalities to meet each child where they are in their healing journey. She draws from child-centred play therapy, expressive arts, attachment and family therapies (including PACE), narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural play therapy, Sandtray Worldplay, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness.

In addition to her clinical work, Melissa supervises therapists in the areas of child therapy, neurodiversity, and relationship therapy. Drawing on her extensive experience as a relationship and child therapist, she has supervised over 40 clinicians and students and continues to find great meaning in supporting the professional growth of others. Melissa also consults with businesses, schools, and organizations on neurodiverse-affirming practices and is available for speaking engagements and workshops.
Melissa’s insights have been featured in the Toronto Star, Cambridge News, and Waterloo Regional News, among other local media outlets. She has appeared as a guest on podcasts and regional television programs, written over 25 academic publications, and has been invited to speak at more than 50 academic and community conferences and workshops.

Known for her warmth, creativity, and holistic approach, Melissa is deeply passionate about her work with children and families. She believes the therapeutic relationship is the foundation of meaningful change and values the privilege of bearing witness to a child’s inner world. Her practice welcomes the emotional, psychological, spiritual, and physical aspects of each child, embracing the whole person in the healing process.

Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans cover services provided by a Registered Social Worker.