Aspire Medicine - Red Deer

Melissa HillmanProvisional Psychologist

For as long as Melissa can remember, she has held a passion towards psychology and learning about the human experience. This led Melissa to take her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary. During the last year of her degree, Melissa worked closely with a professor and community partners to create a research thesis. With the goal of empowering and giving a voice to those who may be struggling, Melissa created, implemented, and analyzed a poverty awareness survey that went live in Red Deer and surrounding areas. This evaluation provided her community partners with a starting point for future strategic planning regarding poverty reduction and alleviation in Red Deer. Melissa is very thankful for this opportunity as it provided meaningful work to her community.

Melissa then completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology through Yorkville University. Through her practicum placement, she really began to see the impacts and importance of healthy attachments, relationships, and restoring connection to oneself. Since the completion of her master’s degree, Melissa now grounds her therapeutic approach in an emotionally focused and insight-based orientation. She loves working with children, teens, young adults, and parents to provide support, comfort, and to walk alongside people on their therapeutic journey. Getting curious about what may be underneath one’s symptoms is where Melissa found her theoretical orientation and provides the foundation to her approach. As a Provisional Psychologist, Melissa is lucky to work alongside Dr. Jennie as her supervisor while attaining her registration hours.

Melissa recently made the move to Calgary but could not imagine no longer working alongside the amazing psychologists that make up Dr. Jennie Psychology Group. She is happy to maintain connection with her hometown through her work and outside of her job, Melissa loves spending quality time with those she loves, getting outside, and curling up at home with a good book on a rainy day. Melissa is currently offering both in person and online sessions.