Education & Credentials

Carmelina is a distinguished member of the Order of Social Workers and Couple and Family Therapists and the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. She completed two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and social work from McGill University. Carmelina went on to pursue a master’s degree in educational and counseling psychology with a specialty in Family Life Education also from McGill University. Additionally, she earned a diploma in post-graduate studies in Couple and Family Therapy at the esteemed Argyle Institute in Montreal.

Training & Experiences

In addition to her private work as a couples and family therapist at Elevate Psychotherapy and Wellness Clinic, Carmelina works within the Pediatric Psychiatry Care Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH). At the MCH, her role is to provide family interventions to strengthen the relationships among families of youth presenting with severe mental health issues. Carmelina has been a valued member of the team for over two decades.

Carmelina’s impactful contributions extend beyond her direct practice. Carmelina also serves as a consultant with the Family Therapy Clinic at MCH and provides supervision/co-therapy with Masters-level trainees enrolled in the Couple and Family Therapy program at McGill University. Additionally, she holds an Affiliate Membership in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, where she offers supervision to psychiatry residents engaged in couples and family therapy.

Current Work

Her expertise spans a diverse range of approaches in assessing and treating families, all through a systemic lens. Drawing from her experiences in psychiatry, Carmelina deeply values the strengths and resilience within couples and families, empowering them to navigate adversity and overcome challenges in their personal relationships.

Carmelina’s extensive experience also includes her work with numerous families in Adolescent Medicine at the MCH, utilizing a Family Based Treatment approach with adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders. This specialized expertise further enriches her approach to therapeutic interventions.

Central to Carmelina’s therapeutic approach is a profound emphasis on collaboration. She firmly believes that a collaborative therapeutic alliance between therapist and clients is pivotal in enhancing the well-being of individuals and family systems. This belief guides her in her relentless pursuit of improving the lives of her patients and the families she works with.