Melissa Tyson
Richmond,B.C.
Summary
Professional with two decades of diverse experiences spanning child protection, healthcare, community living, and EAP counseling. Most recent position as an
EAP counsellor provided short-term counselling to individuals, youth, couples, and families. Has leveraged skills in risk assessments, team and autonomous work, behavioral health assessment, and biopsychosocial assessments. Strengths include exceptional listening skills, ethical standards for confidentiality, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
EAP Counsellor
TELUS Health
04.2022 - 08.2024
- Provided short-term telephonic and virtual counseling sessions to individuals, youth, couples, and families.
- Developed crisis intervention strategies for individuals facing difficult situations or events.
- Assisted clients in developing healthy coping skills that could be used during times of stress or difficulty.
- Utilized evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
- Coached clients on how to manage emotions effectively, while also teaching them how to recognize warning signs of distress before it becomes overwhelming.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date records of client progress and treatment plans.
- Participated in regular team meetings to discuss case management issues and plan services for clients.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay informed about the latest counseling techniques and theories.
Social Worker, Geriatric Physical Rehabilitation
Providence Health Care
05.2013 - 02.2022
- Worked on various units including mental health, medicine, surgery, and outpatient elder care clinic. Last position held was on a provincial geriatric physical rehabilitation unit.
- Conducted comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments, caseload management, organized and facilitated family conferences, supervised students, and mentored new employees.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary and community teams for care and discharge planning.
- Organized and facilitated support groups and panel discussions for those with limb loss.
- Provided counselling to patients and families for concerns with adjustment, living with a chronic illness, grief and loss associated with stroke and limb loss, end-of-life, and bereavement.
- Co-lead for a research project to reduce visual congestion and streamline presentation of information for patients and families
- Research study lead to examine the needs of carers of stroke patients post-discharge from rehabilitation (all research studies were postponed due to the pandemic)
Social Worker
Fraser Health Authority
08.2005 - 11.2012
- Conducted psycho-social assessments, caseload management, organized and facilitated family conferences.
- Provided counselling to patients and their families and facilitated a caregiver support group.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team and community agencies to for discharge planning and educated patients and families about the continuum of care.
- Supervised students.
- Developed a guide for diabetic supplies and presented at a two-day stroke workshop.
Therapist, Intern
University of Toronto
09.2010 - 04.2011
- Provided assessment, developed a treatment plan, and conducted individual short-term psychotherapy with a diversity students.
- Managed caseload of multiple sessions weekly using various types of therapies and approaches.
- Taught clients relaxation skills and coping skills.
- Maintained clinical documentation of goals and progress.
- Referred clients to medical and support services.
- Conferred with other counselors in order to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
- Engaged in reflective practice activities such as journaling and self-evaluation processes.
Social Worker, Community Living Services
Ministry for Children and Family Development
04.2004 - 08.2005
- Conducted needs assessments and developed service plans for children and adults with developmental disabilities
- Monitored and assessed the provision of contracted services
- Performed case management and conducted family and group home visits
- Maintained confidential case documentation.
Child Protection Worker
Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
11.2001 - 03.2004
- Investigated reports of child abuse or neglect.
- Interviewed family members to assess situations, capabilities, and problems.
- Conducted home visits and interviewed children and family members.
- Developed and implemented plans to address risk factors.
- Supervised parent-child visits and provided education about healthy and appropriate relationships and interactions, while maintaining safety of all participants.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Entered client data in centralized database and maintained up-to-date case records for all clients.
- Maintained legal documents for court proceedings and submitted testimony.
Community Worker
Toronto Police - Victim Services
10.2001 - 03.2004
- Provided telephone, face-to-face counselling and follow-up for victims in the community.
Social Worker, Emergency Department
Delta Hospital
05.2001 - 08.2001
- Completed psycho-social assessments
- Assessed and carried out discharge planning
- Provided counselling (crisis, grief, resource).
Placement Worker
- Evaluated foster care needs of children and youth
- Coordinated foster home and group home placements for children and youth including emergency placements
- Organized internal placement action committee meetings.
Education
Master’s of Social Work Degree - Social Justice and Diversity
University of Toronto
04.2011
Bachelor’s of Social Work Degree -
University of British Columbia
04.2001
Associates of Arts Degree – Psychology -
Kwantlen University College
04.1999
Registered with the BC College of Social Workers -
In Good Standing
05-2005
Registered with BC Association of Social Workers
May 2023
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide assessment and intervention
- Psychosocial assessments
- Building rapport
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability
- Effective communication
- Resource counselling
- Solution-focused counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Group facilitation
- Time management
Training
- Completed various training modules though an online learning platform ( including suicide prevention, depression, anxiety, couples therapy, family therapy, CBT, DBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, substance use, ethical decision making in clinical practice)
- Completed Hazeldon Betty Ford Substance Use and Recovery (2023)
- Completed 8 week course in Indigenous Cultural Safety (2021)
- Leadership training - Clear Partnership (06/2017)
- Trained in Narrative Therapy (02/2013)
- Trained in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (2011)
- Trained in Adult Abuse and Neglect (2011)
- Attended workshop on Narrative Therapy, Feminist AOP Approach of Working with Violence and Trauma (2011)
- Trained assessor for Functional Independence Measure standardized rehabilitation tool (2008)
Degrees
- MSW
- BSW
- RSW
Affiliations
- Running
- Gardening
- Organizing public engagement and community events
Timeline
EAP Counsellor
TELUS Health
04.2022 - 08.2024
Social Worker, Geriatric Physical Rehabilitation
Providence Health Care
05.2013 - 02.2022
Therapist, Intern
University of Toronto
09.2010 - 04.2011
Social Worker
Fraser Health Authority
08.2005 - 11.2012
Social Worker, Community Living Services
Ministry for Children and Family Development
04.2004 - 08.2005
Child Protection Worker
Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
11.2001 - 03.2004
Community Worker
Toronto Police - Victim Services
10.2001 - 03.2004
Social Worker, Emergency Department
Delta Hospital
05.2001 - 08.2001
Placement Worker
Master’s of Social Work Degree - Social Justice and Diversity
University of Toronto
Bachelor’s of Social Work Degree -
University of British Columbia
Associates of Arts Degree – Psychology -
Kwantlen University College
Registered with the BC College of Social Workers -
In Good Standing
Registered with BC Association of Social Workers
May 2023
Similar Profiles
Holly ChaffeeHolly Chaffee
Senior Analyst at TELUS HealthSenior Analyst at TELUS Health
Sonu MukalSonu Mukal
Coordinator, Global Partners / Executive Assistant at Telus HealthCoordinator, Global Partners / Executive Assistant at Telus Health
Arpita dasArpita das
Associate Customer Success Manager at TELUS HealthAssociate Customer Success Manager at TELUS Health
Debbie Miskosky Welsh MSW, RSWDebbie Miskosky Welsh MSW, RSW
Clinical Counselor at TELUS HealthClinical Counselor at TELUS Health
Gerard Adrian LuGerard Adrian Lu
Senior Product Advisor at Westminster ToyotaSenior Product Advisor at Westminster Toyota