Melissa Sze
Port Moody
Summary
Mental health professional well-prepared to deliver impactful counseling services, focused on fostering client well-being through evidence-based practices. Extensive experience in providing comprehensive care and support, with strong emphasis on collaboration and adaptability. Known for excellent interpersonal skills and client-centered approach.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Counsellor
Bonne Vie Medical
01.2025 - Current
- Established a safe environment for clients to openly discuss their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and concerns without fear of judgment or retribution.
- Continually updated professional knowledge by attending conferences, trainings, and workshops related to advancements in the field of mental health counseling.
- Reduced crisis intervention needs by proactively monitoring patient progress and adjusting treatment approaches as necessary.
- Provided crisis intervention services during emergencies, deescalating situations and connecting individuals with appropriate resources for ongoing support.
- Implemented self-care practices for personal wellbeing and modeled healthy coping strategies for clients to emulate in their own lives.
Family and Critical Incident Response Specialist
WorkSafeBC
10.2022 - Current
- Speaks with workers, who have experienced critical incidents in the workplace, and assesses whether immediate mental health support is needed
- Provides various presentations on topics surrounding mental health to Prevention teams within WorkSafeBC
- Liaises with Preventions Officers responding to workers in crisis by offering one on one support to a worker or providing pre-call and post-call consultations Prevention Officers
- Runs an officer Peer Support Program within the Prevention department of WorkSafeBC
Master of Social Work Practicum Student
Bonne Vie Medical Clinic
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Provided crisis intervention services, addressing immediate concerns while connecting clients to long-term resources.
- Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and engagement in the therapeutic process.
- Conducted thorough assessments to accurately identify clients'' needs and develop appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive client support.
- Advocated for clients'' rights within various systems, ensuring access to necessary services and supports.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for clients.
Contracted Intake Social Worker – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
11.2022 - 09.2023
- Completed investigative interviews with parents and children
- Effectively used crisis intervention skills to diffuse volatile situations with clients
- Used strengths based interviewing skills to speak with family members to determine safety factors in families
- Provided an open and supportive space for individuals to speak to current and prior trauma
- Completed documentation on casework
Intake and Assessment Social Worker – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
12.2010 - 10.2022
- Carried and efficiently managed a caseload of between 20-70 individual cases for intake, assessment and documentation
- Completed investigative interviews with parents and children
- Collaborated with band representatives to ensure safety of Indigenous children in homes
- Completed cultural plans and worked with Indigenous communities to ensure children were connected to their culture and extended family
- Worked with elders in the community to provide culturally appropriate healing and planning for families
- Connected children and youth to their Indigenous roots, cultural events and their cultural practices
- Effectively used crisis intervention skills to diffuse volatile situations with clients
- Used strengths based interviewing skills to speak with family members to determine safety factors in families
- Provided an open, supportive space for individuals to speak to their current and prior trauma
- Completed forms and documentation regarding case plans, vulnerability of children in homes and summaries of strengths and needs of each individual family
- Efficiently completed court documentation for court hearings
- Worked in collaboration with other resources and services to provide
- Mentored new hires and students in the field
Acting Team Leader – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
03.2020 - 05.2022
- Managed a team of seven to twelve workers
- Provided consultation for workers on safety ratings and safety planning for families at specific points of consultation
- Provided documentation for all consultation points with members of the team
- Assigned new incidents for the North Fraser Region and ensured follow up was completed
- Ensured members of the team were following safety protocols during their meetings
- Liaised with members of management regarding safety assessments for high-risk families
- Kept up to date documentation on all intakes accepted, closed and files transferred
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Wilfrid Laurier University
12-2024
Bachelor of Social Work - Child Welfare Specialization
University of The Fraser Valley
12.2010
Social Service Worker Program -
Langara College
05.2007
Skills
- Individual counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide prevention
- Therapeutic interventions
- Community resources
- Cultural sensitivity
- Grief counseling
- Adept at conflict resolution
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Mental Health Counsellor
Bonne Vie Medical
01.2025 - Current
Master of Social Work Practicum Student
Bonne Vie Medical Clinic
05.2024 - 12.2024
Contracted Intake Social Worker – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
11.2022 - 09.2023
Family and Critical Incident Response Specialist
WorkSafeBC
10.2022 - Current
Acting Team Leader – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
03.2020 - 05.2022
Intake and Assessment Social Worker – North Fraser Indigenous Intake Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
12.2010 - 10.2022
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Wilfrid Laurier University
Bachelor of Social Work - Child Welfare Specialization
University of The Fraser Valley
Social Service Worker Program -
Langara College
Training
Dr. Hugues Herve's Step Wise Interviewing Skills
ASIST Training
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society Cultural Training
Critical Incident Stress Management
EMDR Level 1 Certification
Psychological First Aid
First Responder's Occupational Stress Training
Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training
Traumatic Grief Therapy Tools
Intensive Anger Management with Mindfulness-Based Tools
Self-Regulation Interventions for Children with Autism, ADHD or Sensory Challenges
Similar Profiles
Sandra WhiteSandra White
CNA at Bonne vieCNA at Bonne vie
Mason MooreMason Moore
Volunteer at Bonne Vie (Nursing Home)Volunteer at Bonne Vie (Nursing Home)
Kensley ForemanKensley Foreman
Student Volunteer at Bonne Vie Nursing HomeStudent Volunteer at Bonne Vie Nursing Home
MCKENZIE NEWTONMCKENZIE NEWTON
Administrative Assistant at City Talent ManagementAdministrative Assistant at City Talent Management
SONDRA BOHNASONDRA BOHNA
Professional Interior Designer (semi-retired at Self EmployedProfessional Interior Designer (semi-retired at Self Employed