Isabel Melo
Founder & Director

Isabel Melo started off as a sole practitioner and, in 2014, founded Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, to help more people improve their relationships and their lives. Unlike many other centres, Couple and Family Therapy Montreal has remained a small, family-style practice because Isabel is highly selective about the therapists she hires. “We are a relationship centre, so first and foremost, our therapists understand deeply the importance of connection with those we love, and we are focused on growth and healing, not superficial behaviour change. We share core values and a common vision.”

“That’s why I’m comfortable recommending any one of our clinicians to even members of my own family. Our couple counsellors have specialized training in couple therapy. That makes all the difference! And we have art therapists who are great at connecting with teens, a deeply compassionate parenting coach who helps parents get to the root of the problem, and a money coach who specializes in working with couples! And they are all passionate about what they do.”

Our Therapists, Counsellors and Coaches

Kimberly Reynolds
Kimberly Reynolds
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Kimberly Reynolds is a parenting consultant and licensed Couple and Family Therapist with over 10 years’ experience in a health care setting supporting parents of children with a variety of developmental and behavioral difficulties.
Samantha Abdallah
Samantha Abdallah
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Samantha Abdallah is a licensed psychotherapist and professional art therapist with 10 years’ experience in individual and group therapy, in private practice, community and educational settings.
Peace Ningabire
Peace Ningabire
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Peace Ningabire is a registered clinical counsellor with a PhD in counseling and supervision, and a strong background in couple, family and community counselling.
Samantha Petrella
Samantha Petrella
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Samantha Petrella is a professional art therapist with a strong background in crisis intervention and solution-focused counselling. She has seven years’ experience in individual and group therapy in private practice, community and educational settings.
Özlem Köse
Özlem Köse
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Özlem Köse is a registered clinical counsellor with a PhD in counseling and supervision, and a strong background in couple, family and community counselling.
Maryam Gerami
Maryam Gerami
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Maryam Gerami is an art therapist and certified counsellor with over 11 years’ experience in the mental health field, providing therapy to children, teens, couples and families. Maryam started out as a medical doctor and psychiatrist in her native Iran, assessing and diagnosing mental health disorders in a diverse patient population.

Today, Maryam specializes in working with children, teens and families, using art and the creative process, conversation and exploration to help her clients identify then change negative patterns of behaviour and communication. Addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, relational issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism spectrum disorder, Maryam helps her clients move from stuck and distressed to coping and resilient.

Maryam provides services in English and Persian/Farsi.

Elaine Lang
Elaine Lang
A financial coach and organizer who works both independently and as part of the team at Couple and Family therapy Montreal. With 14 years’ experience and a strong background in accounting, Elaine is passionate about helping couples get on the same page about their finances.
Leila Sarhadi
Leila Sarhadi
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Leila is a licensed Couple and Family Therapist and Certified Canadian Counsellor, with six years’ experience providing therapy to individuals, couples and families in a variety of community, private practice and institutional settings. She has a rich background working with issues such as addiction and substance abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse and emotional and psychological trauma.
Deniz Naji
Deniz Naji
An associate with Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Deniz Naji is an art therapist with extensive experience working with adults and children in clinical and school settings. Deniz works through a trauma-informed lens, to enhance resiliency and promote healing. She is currently specializing in working with teens and kids, on issues such as family and peer relationships, self-esteem, stress, gender identity issues and emotional dysregulation. Deniz provides services in English and Farsi/Persian.
Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill
An intern at Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, Melanie has completed the academic requirements for her Master’s Degree in Couple and Family Therapy. She has five years’ experience as a university residence director, during which she mentored residence assistants in developing leadership and interpersonal skills and counselled students through academic, relational and mental health issues. Melanie also has vast experience as a volunteer counsellor and advisor with teens and young adults, and in student government and other leadership roles.
Melanie is excited to be working with couples and families, using Emotionally Focused Therapy, the most effective approach for healing relationship distress and for restoring connection between partners when it has been lost. She receives intensive clinical supervision from Isabel Melo, the director of the centre and a seasoned therapist with 20 years’ experience in couple and family therapy. An insightful, compassionate clinician, Melanie believes in the healing power of connection and in people’s innate capacity for growth and change.
Alissa Singerman
Alissa Singerman
Alissa Singerman, an intern at Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, is completing her final year of a Master’s Degree in Social Work. She has a strong academic background in psychology, including as a research assistant in anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Alissa also boasts extensive volunteer experience in the social and mental health field, including providing emotional support to adults and children struggling with mental illness in community, educational and hospital settings. Alissa completed two academic placements before landing at Couple and Family Therapy Montreal, intervening with clients of an addiction treatment centre and parents and children in a youth social service centre.
Alissa’s passion lies in working with couples and families, using Emotionally Focused Therapy, the most effective approach for relationship distress. She receives intensive clinical supervision from Isabel Melo, the director of the centre and a seasoned therapist with 20 years’ experience in couple and family therapy. A skilled and compassionate clinician, Alissa is adept at connecting with couples, helping them to ease their relationship distress and restore their bond.

Get in Touch

If you are struggling now, don’t wait until you can see a therapist in person. Please contact Couple and Family Therapy Montreal to find out more or to book your first video session. We are here to help.