MÉLANIE SUE CARON

STUDENT COUNSELLOR

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 Métis and Mi’Kmaq (Miːɡmaɣ) ancestors currently referred to as Bathurst, New Brunswick. However, I am currently grateful to work, study, live, play, and especially love on the lands the Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ilw̓ ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, currently referred to as Vancouver, British Columbia.

I am a practicum student completing my Master of Social Work Indigenous specialization from the University of Victoria. I have been working alongside marginalized youth and their families for over two decades in a variety of settings and capacities. I look forward to utilizing my many years of experience, as well as my new knowledge and education, in my role as a student 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. I shall offer different techniques from therapeutic modalities with which I resonate most including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

My goal is to provide 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.