Melissa Ritchie
“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.”
–Michelle Rosenthal
Hello, my name is Melissa and I am incredibly grateful you are here! Mental health and healing have been a big part of my life, both personally and professionally. I’ve spent many years doing my own therapy, and because of that, I know how important it is to work with someone who feels real, relatable, and safe. Some of the most meaningful growth I’ve experienced happened when I felt genuinely understood by my therapist, and that experience has shaped how I show up in my work with clients. You will never feel like your therapist is a stiff professional while you are working with me! I show up in the most human, authentic way I can in all of my work, so that you feel comfortable doing the same. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a safe, collaborative space where you can be honest, messy, unsure, or vulnerable without feeling judged or pressured.
Over the past 15+ years, I’ve worked in mental health and addiction across community agencies, treatment programs, housing supports, and forensic settings. That work has given me experience supporting people through trauma, relationship struggles, and substance use concerns, but what matters most to me is helping people feel understood and supported in their own unique story.
I offer in-person therapy in Calgary and virtual sessions for adults. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), which is a trauma-focused approach that can help people process difficult experiences in a way that often feels more manageable and contained. I also draw from attachment-based work, Internal Family Systems, and DBT skills, and I tailor therapy to what feels most helpful and safe for each person.
I work in hope! Even when things feel insurmountable, we can work on creating new insights, fostering resilience and destroying old patterns of thoughts in behaviors so you feel confident moving forward into a happier, healthier life.
My Approach
I describe my work as trauma-responsive rather than simply trauma-informed. For me, this means I don’t just understand how trauma impacts people — I actively respond to it in the therapy room. When difficult emotions, memories, or dysregulation show up, we slow things down together. I help you feel heard and supported in those moments while also teaching practical tools you can carry into your daily life.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your life and your experiences. My role is to bring education, perspective, and clinical skills to help guide you toward the goals that matter most to you. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a partnership where you feel safe being honest, curious, and vulnerable.
I am naturally curious and always learning. I regularly seek out new training, research, and approaches so I can continue growing as a therapist and offer clients a wide range of tools and perspectives. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. I tailor therapy to each individual and adjust our work based on what feels most helpful and meaningful for you.
I also place strong value on therapy being practical and helpful in real life. My hope is that when you leave sessions, you feel like you’ve gained insight, practiced new skills, or taken a step forward in your healing. Therapy can be vulnerable work, and I respect the trust and energy clients bring into the process. I want you to feel that your time, effort, and investment are leading to meaningful and tangible growth.
Certifications & training
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Mount Royal University)
Master of Social Work - clinical specialization (University of Calgary)
Registered Social Worker - Alberta (RSW # 14485)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Additional training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), working with adult children of alcoholics and emotionally immature parents.
You can begin the process of changing your life today. Book a complimentary consultation and we can begin the journey together.
Let Rooted Therapy help you down the path of healing and recovery.
Take the first step to finding freedom, joy, and a sense of purpose in your life.