A Place for Hope, Healing, and Belonging
At AUMÉA, we believe that healing begins with feeling heard.
Life can be challenging. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, a workplace psychological injury, or a major life transition, asking for support takes courage. At AUMÉA, you’ll find a welcoming space where you can slow down, be yourself, and begin moving toward meaningful change.
Our name reflects our philosophy. We believe healing is a journey—one that often begins with a small spark of hope. Through compassionate, evidence-based care, we help people rediscover their strengths, build resilience, and create a life that feels more balanced, connected, and fulfilling.
We are guided by three simple values:
Hope. Healing. Belonging.
Our Philosophy
Therapy is about more than reducing symptoms. It’s about helping people reconnect with themselves, strengthen relationships, and move toward the life they want to live.
At AUMÉA, we believe every person deserves care that is:
- Compassionate and respectful
- Evidence-based and practical
- Collaborative and client-centred
- Inclusive and affirming
- Focused on lasting, meaningful change
You are the expert on your own life. Our role is to listen without judgment, understand your experiences, and work alongside you to develop a treatment plan that reflects your goals, values, and strengths.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every person’s journey is unique, and your care should be too.
AUMÉA’s Story
Hello, and welcome.
I’m Melanie Russell, Founder of AUMÉA, Registered Psychotherapist, and Master of Counselling Psychology.
Creating AUMÉA has been the culmination of more than 25 years of experience supporting individuals, adolescents, couples, and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. My vision was to create a practice where people feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported—a place where hope, healing, and belonging come together.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of helping people navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, emotional dysregulation, workplace psychological injuries, and major life transitions. I have a particular passion for supporting individuals recovering from workplace psychological injuries and helping them regain confidence, rebuild resilience, and safely return to meaningful work when they are ready.
My approach is collaborative, practical, and grounded in research. I draw from a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and other approaches tailored to each person’s unique needs.
I believe therapy should feel human. It should be a place where you can ask difficult questions, experience genuine support, and discover that growth is possible, even during life’s most difficult seasons.
A Commitment to Culturally Responsive Care
One of the most meaningful lessons I gained during my Master of Counselling Psychology at Athabasca University was the importance of providing culturally responsive psychotherapy.
Each of us is shaped by our unique life experiences, relationships, cultures, and communities. Culture can include many aspects of our identity and lived experience, such as our family traditions, faith, race, ethnicity, newcomer experiences, Indigenous ways of knowing, LGBTQ+ communities, experiences of disability or poverty, or other communities that have experienced marginalization in Canada. These experiences influence how we see ourselves, understand the world, and respond to life’s challenges.
At AUMÉA, I believe effective therapy begins with understanding your story. I take the time to learn what has shaped your experiences, values, strengths, and goals so that therapy reflects who you are, not just the challenges you’re facing.
This approach helps create therapy that is:
- Grounded in trust, respect, and collaboration
- Tailored to your unique experiences and goals
- Informed by both your lived experience and the best available research
- Meaningful, practical, and relevant to your life
Evidence-based psychotherapy is most effective when it is delivered with cultural humility and responsiveness. By combining proven therapeutic approaches with a genuine understanding of each person’s lived experience, we can build a therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to create meaningful change.
At AUMÉA, inclusion is more than a statement. It’s a commitment to ensuring every person feels seen, valued, and a true sense of belonging.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, gardening, golfing, travelling, and making memories with my miniature Dachshund, Boba, who never misses an opportunity to remind me to slow down and appreciate life’s simple joys.
Those moments help me stay grounded and remind me of what matters most—connection, balance, and finding joy in everyday life. They also shape the way I approach therapy. I believe healing happens through genuine human connection, compassion, and creating a space where people feel safe enough to grow at their own pace.
Whether you’re reaching out for support during a difficult season or looking to make meaningful changes in your life, I’m honoured to be part of your journey.
Professional Credentials
Melanie Russell, MCP, RP
Founder, AUMÉA
Registered Psychotherapist
Master of Counselling Psychology
Advanced Certificate in Couple and Family Therapy
Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Approved Provider, WSIB Mental Health Program of Care
Clinical Director and Clinical Consultant
Our Promise
Whether you’re taking your first step into therapy or returning after time away, you’ll be welcomed with compassion, respect, and genuine care.
At AUMÉA, we are committed to creating a space where you can find hope during difficult times, healing through evidence-based care, and a lasting sense of belonging.
We’re honoured to walk alongside you on your journey.