Melissa Louka
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Welcome! I’m glad you are here.
I am a Psychotherapist licensed with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)—and just as important, someone who is passionate about walking alongside women and adolescents through life’s ups and downs.
About Under the Oak
This world can feel overwhelming and, at times, deeply unkind. At Under the Oak, I offer a safe space to sit with pain and grief while gently helping you notice the quiet flickers of beauty along the way. Together, we work toward building a life that feels meaningful, grounded, and worth holding onto.
Under the Oak was inspired by my grandfather’s faith and example. He taught me that we can be both, fragile and strong, afraid and courageous. Sitting at his feet, listening to his stories of great losses and even greater victories, became my safe place. After he passed, I began to see my grandfather in the image of a strong oak tree—steadfast, sheltering, and full of quiet hope.
That is the atmosphere I strive to create with my clients—a place where truth, compassion, and healing can grow. Our work together may not always be easy, but I believe even in hard seasons, new strength and growth can take root.
Come take a seat with me—Under the Oak.
Collaborative & Strengths-Based
I care deeply about getting to know the real you — your strengths, values, hopes, and the story that has shaped you. In our work together, I show up as my authentic self so that you can feel safe to do the same.
We take time to understand how your past experiences and core beliefs have influenced where you are today, always with compassion and grace. I believe we are all doing the best we can with the tools we have at any given time.
Together, we gently and honestly look at what is working in your life and what may need some care and adjustment. Our work is collaborative and grounded in what matters most to you, with clear, practical goals that support meaningful and lasting growth.
Creative & Experiential
I believe that meaningful change often happens when therapy feels human, engaging, and safe. I use humour, creativity, and interactive approaches to help us explore difficult topics in ways that feel accessible and grounded.
Our work often includes moments of lightness and laughter alongside honest, meaningful reflection. Therapy doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time in order to be effective.
My work draws from DBT, CBT, EMDR and Family Systems approaches, while always remaining rooted in the relationship between us. I value genuine connection, thoughtful curiosity, and a healthy sense of humour.
I also seek to remain attentive to the social and cultural contexts that shape our lives, including issues of power, voice, and equity. When helpful and welcomed, I bring this perspective into our work in ways that support empowerment and respect.
Navigating Transitions
Life is full of seasons of change — some chosen, some unexpected — and many of them can feel disorienting, overwhelming, or lonely. I enjoy walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate these transitions with greater clarity, resilience, and confidence.
This may include adjusting to new roles, changing relationships, academic or career shifts, health concerns, or seasons of loss and uncertainty.
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
— Mrs. Maya Angelou
Education & Training
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McMaster University
My Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, completed in 2008, provides a strong foundation for my work as a therapist. Through this training, I developed a deep appreciation for understanding human behaviour, emotional development, and the role of neuroscience in mental health.
This background continues to inform my clinical work today, helping me approach each client with both scientific insight and compassionate care, grounded in an understanding of how the brain, body, and relationships shape our experiences.
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Tyndale Seminary
I completed my Master of Divinity in Clinical Counselling at Tyndale in 2018, where I received comprehensive training in counselling theory, clinical skills, and ethical practice. This program equipped me with a strong foundation in assessment, intervention, and therapeutic relationship-building across a wide range of client concerns.
During my studies, I also served as a Teaching Assistant for Counselling Skills Labs, further strengthening my ability to model, teach, and apply effective counselling techniques. This training continues to shape my thoughtful, integrative approach to therapy, including the careful and respectful integration of Christian faith when desired.
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Beck Institute
I completed foundational training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through the Beck Institute, a leading organization in CBT education and research. This training strengthened my ability to help clients understand and change unhelpful thinking patterns, build practical coping strategies, and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.
This evidence-based foundation supports my commitment to providing thoughtful, effective, and goal-oriented care.
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Behavior Tech
I completed foundational training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech, the official training organization established by the developer of DBT. This training included intensive instruction in DBT theory, skills-based interventions, emotion regulation, crisis management, and the application of DBT within clinical practice.
This foundation supports my work with clients who experience emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, and patterns of intense or persistent distress, and informs my structured, compassionate, and practical approach to care.
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I am trained and certified in the Prepare/Enrich assessment and counselling framework for couples. This evidence-based tool provides a comprehensive evaluation of relationship strengths, growth areas, communication patterns, and core values.
Using personalized assessment results and structured feedback sessions, I help couples develop practical skills, deepen understanding, and strengthen their relationship in preparation for marriage, throughout marriage, or during seasons of transition.
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I have completed the lecture and practicum phases of EMDR Basic Training through Thrive EMDR, an EMDRIA-approved training program, and continue to receive ongoing consultation as part of the training process.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories and experiences that remain “stuck” in the nervous system. When difficult experiences are not fully processed, they can continue to influence how we think, feel, and respond in the present.
EMDR uses structured protocols and bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to help the brain integrate these memories in a healthier and less distressing way.
EMDR can be helpful for concerns such as trauma, anxiety, panic, negative self-beliefs, and experiences that continue to feel unresolved.
Before beginning memory processing, we spend time building resources and ensuring that the work unfolds at a pace that feels safe and grounded.
Areas of Consentration
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Anxiety and depression can affect how you think, feel, and move through daily life, often leaving you feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck. These experiences are real, common, and treatable.
In therapy, we work together to understand what is contributing to your symptoms, develop practical coping strategies, and strengthen emotional resilience. My approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and tailored to you, helping you regain a sense of balance, clarity, and hope.
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When emotions feel intense, unpredictable, or difficult to manage, daily life and relationships can become exhausting. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or disconnected from yourself and others.
In therapy, we work together to understand your emotional patterns and develop practical skills for regulation, self-awareness, and healthy expression. Drawing from evidence-based approaches such as DBT, I support you in building greater emotional balance, resilience, and confidence in navigating life’s challenges.
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Trauma can shape how you see yourself, others, and the world, often leaving you feeling stuck in patterns of fear, shame, or emotional numbness. These experiences may come from a single event or from ongoing relational, medical, or life stressors.
In therapy, we move at a pace that feels safe and respectful, creating space for healing without re-traumatization. Using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches, I support you in gently processing painful experiences and restoring a sense of safety, strength, and hope.
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Grief is a natural response to loss, yet it can feel confusing, isolating, and overwhelming. Whether you are mourning the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, health, identity, or a hoped-for future, grief affects each person differently.
In therapy, I offer a compassionate space to honour your story, express your emotions, and make sense of what has been lost. Together, we work toward healing in a way that respects your unique journey, supports resilience, and allows room for both sorrow and hope.
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Each person is born with a unique nervous system, temperament, and emotional sensitivity that shapes how they experience the world. Some people feel things more deeply, think more intensely, or become overwhelmed more easily — not because something is wrong, but because of how their brain and body are wired.
In therapy, we work together to understand your individual neurobiology and emotional patterns, helping you develop strategies that fit you. This approach reduces self-blame, increases self-compassion, and supports healthier ways of responding to stress, relationships, and life’s challenges.
Using personalized assessment results and structured feedback sessions, I help couples develop practical skills, deepen understanding, and strengthen their relationship in preparation for marriage, throughout marriage, or during seasons of transition.
