Isabel Melo
Founder & Director

Isabel Melo started off as a sole practitioner and, in 2014, founded Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, to help more people improve their relationships and their lives. Couple and Family Therapy Montreal has remained a small, family-style practice because Isabel is highly selective about the clinicians she hires.

“We are a relationship centre, so first and foremost, our clinicians understand deeply the importance of connection with those we love. Secondly, we are focused on growth and healing, not superficial behaviour change.”

“Our couple counsellors have intensive and specialized training in couple therapy, which makes all the difference. We have art therapists who are great at connecting with teens, a deeply compassionate parenting coach who helps parents get to the root of the problem, and a financial coach who specializes in working with couples. Finally, we are excited to now also offer play therapy for children aged 3 to 9. We are all passionate about what we do.”

“I’m comfortable recommending any one of my clinicians to even members of my own family.”

Our Therapists, Counsellors and Coaches

Kimberly Reynolds
Kimberly Reynolds
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Kimberly Reynolds is a parenting consultant and licensed Couple and Family Therapist with 15 years’ experience in a health care setting supporting parents of children with a variety of developmental and behavioral difficulties.
Samantha Abdallah
Samantha Abdallah
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Samantha Abdallah is a licensed psychotherapist and professional art therapist with 13 years’ experience in individual and group therapy, in private practice, community and educational settings.
Peace Ningabire
Peace Ningabire
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Peace Ningabire is a registered clinical counsellor with a PhD in counseling and supervision, and a strong background in couple, family and community counselling.
Özlem Köse
Özlem Köse
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Özlem Köse is a registered clinical counsellor with a PhD in counseling and supervision, and a strong background in couple, family and community counselling.
Maryam Gerami
Maryam Gerami
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Maryam Gerami is an art therapist and certified counsellor with 15 years’ experience in the mental health field, providing therapy to children, teens, couples and families. Maryam started out as a medical doctor and psychiatrist in her native Iran, assessing and diagnosing mental health disorders in a diverse patient population.

Today, Maryam specializes in working with children, teens and families, using art and the creative process, conversation and exploration to help her clients identify then change negative patterns of behaviour and communication. Addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, relational issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder, Maryam helps her clients move from stuck and distressed to coping and resilient.

Maryam provides services in English and Persian/Farsi.

Elaine Lang
Elaine Lang
A financial coach and organizer who works both independently and as part of the team at Couple and Family therapy Montreal. With 17 years’ experience and a strong background in accounting, Elaine is passionate about helping couples get on the same page about their finances.
Leila Sarhadi
Leila Sarhadi
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Leila is a licensed Couple and Family Therapist and Certified Canadian Counsellor, with seven years’ experience providing therapy to individuals, couples and families in a variety of community, private practice and institutional settings. She has a rich background working with issues such as addiction and substance abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse and emotional and psychological trauma.
Deniz Naji
Deniz Naji
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Deniz Naji is an art therapist with extensive experience working with adults and children in clinical and school settings. Deniz works through a trauma-informed lens, to enhance resiliency and promote healing. She is currently specializing in working with teens and kids, on issues such as family and peer relationships, self-esteem, stress, gender identity issues and emotional dysregulation. Deniz provides services in English and Farsi/Persian.
Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill, an associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal has a Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy and is a pre-licensed Couple and Family Therapist. Melanie has gained valuable experience providing therapy to individuals, couples and families on a variety of issues, including relationship conflict and distress, emotional disconnection, infidelity, anxiety and depression.

Melanie specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, which has the highest success rate of any therapy approach. She is passionate about supporting couples to repair relationship ruptures and restore their connection. An insightful, compassionate clinician, Melanie believes in the healing power of connection and in people’s innate capacity for growth and change.

Alissa Singerman
Alissa Singerman
Alissa Singerman, an intern at Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, now has over one year’s experience working with individuals, couples and families, as she nears completion of her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She has a strong academic background in psychology, including as a research assistant in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alissa also boasts extensive volunteer experience in the social and mental health field, including providing emotional support to adults and children struggling with mental illness in community, educational and hospital settings. Alissa completed two academic placements before landing at Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, intervening with clients of an addiction treatment centre and parents and children in a youth social service centre.
Alissa’s passion lies in working with couples and families, using Emotionally Focused Therapy, the most effective approach for relationship distress. She receives intensive clinical supervision from Isabel Melo, the director of the centre and a seasoned therapist with 20 years’ experience in couple and family therapy. A skilled and compassionate clinician, Alissa is adept at connecting with couples, helping them to ease their relationship distress and restore their bond.
Frédrique MacDougall
Frédrique MacDougall
Frédrique MacDougall, an associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal and licensed social worker, licensed couple and family therapist and licensed psychotherapist, has diverse experience in community, healthcare and institutional settings. She has a strong background in crisis intervention, supporting youth and families with mental health and relational concerns. She also has experience providing individual, couple and family therapy, on issues such as relationship conflict and distress, emotional disconnection, anxiety, depression and trauma.

Frédrique’s approach is rooted in attachment science, with a particular emphasis on emotion-focused and trauma-informed perspectives. She helps clients address a variety of concerns, from situational challenges to deeply rooted emotional issues. Frédrique feels passionately about supporting clients in creating healthier relationships with themselves and with those they love most, while acknowledging the pressures and strains that may come from the larger systems in which we live. Frédrique’s practice is grounded in compassion, collaboration and social justice.

Sophie Chappell
Sophie Chappell
Sophie Chappell, an associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, is a Certified Canadian Counsellor and Creative Arts Therapist. She has experience working with adults, teens and children both individually and in groups. Her therapeutic approach integrates art interventions with talk, offering a multifaceted strategy to address a diverse array of issues such as interpersonal difficulties, low self-esteem, and challenges related to gender identity and sexuality. Her approach is trauma-informed, she is LGBTQIA2+ affirming and she strives for cultural humility in her practice. Sessions with Sophie are conducted in English.

Get in Touch

If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to contact Couple and Family Therapy Montreal to find out more or to request an appointment. We are here to help.