MÉLANIE SUE CARON

REGISTERED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER

My name is Mélanie Sue Caron, daughter of Michael Caron, and Suzanne Guitard, and granddaughter of Eva Lejeune, Cléophas Guitard, Georgina Harris and Omer Caron. My ancestors are Acadian, French, Scottish, Métis and Mi’Kmaq (Miːɡmaɣ). I grew up on the lands of my Mi’Kmaq (Miːɡmaɣ) ancestors in KSbamkeak’, but currently referred to as Bathurst, New Brunswick. However, I am currently grateful to work, study, live, play, and especially love on the lands of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in K’emk’emeláy̓, but currently referred to as Vancouver, British Columbia.

I encountered a myriad of struggles throughout my youth, and I credit my social worker counsellor for having believed in me when it seemed like no one else did. With their care and support, I was able to also believe in myself as well as tackle and overcome said struggles. This is what led me to pursue a career in working alongside youth and families for nearly 3 decades, and now to becoming a counsellor through the University of Victoria’s Master of Social Work Indigenous specialization program. I feel honored to be able to utilize my experience, knowledge and education in my role as counsellor here at Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling.

My approach to our therapeutic relationship is that you, the client, are the expert, and that you shall determine how you want to approach your therapeutic goals, together. However, I shall offer different reflections, thoughts, and strategies from therapeutic modalities with which I resonate most including Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

My goal is to provide you a safe, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive environment for you to embark on unpacking and deciphering your distresses, where these distresses may be stemming from, and how you may wish to best tackle them. Through these strengths-based approaches, we shall work towards augmenting the quality of your relationship with yourself, and with all your relations. It shall be an honor to hear your stories and work alongside you to reshape these stories towards your optimal (w)holistic well-being, together.