Education & Credentials

Carmelina is a member of the Order of Social Workers and Couple and Family Therapists and the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. She holds a Bachelor of Psychology (B.A.) from McGill University, completed from 1990 to 1993, and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Psychology and Counselling from McGill University, completed from 1993 to 1997. She also completed postgraduate training in Couple and Family Therapy at the Argyle Institute in Montreal from 1997 to 2001, followed by a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) from McGill University, completed from 2001 to 2003.

Training & Experiences

Carmelina has been a valued member of the Pediatric Psychiatry Care Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) for more than two decades. Her work includes providing specialized family therapy to families of adolescents experiencing significant mental health concerns, with an emphasis on strengthening relationships, improving communication, and supporting families through complex challenges.

She also manages important operational functions within the hospital’s Family Therapy Clinic, including waitlist oversight, case triage, and the coordination of cases involving psychiatry residents and family therapy interns. Through this role, she supports the timely and appropriate connection of families with clinical resources.

Carmelina serves as a clinical supervisor for interns enrolled in McGill University’s Couple and Family Therapy Program and provides supervision to psychiatry residents developing skills in couples and family therapy. She holds an Affiliate Membership in McGill University’s Department of Psychiatry and also serves as a consultant with the Family Therapy Clinic at MCH.

Her experience includes work with numerous families in Adolescent Medicine at MCH, where she has used a Family-Based Treatment approach with adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders. This work has further strengthened her understanding of adolescent mental health, family dynamics, and the role of caregivers in the treatment process.

Current Work

In her private practice at Elevate Psychotherapy and Wellness Clinic, Carmelina provides comprehensive individual, couple, and family psychotherapy. Her work is grounded in a systemic perspective that recognizes the important role of relationships, family dynamics, life transitions, and broader support systems in emotional well-being.

Her clinical areas of focus include relationship concerns involving couples, parent–child relationships, and family systems; work, parenting, and mental health burnout; low mood, low self-esteem, and body-image concerns; anger-management concerns; and systemic support for parents navigating a child’s substance use. When appropriate, she integrates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions to help clients develop effective strategies for managing emotional and relational difficulties.

Carmelina approaches therapy collaboratively, helping clients recognize their strengths, understand recurring patterns, and create meaningful, sustainable change. She believes that a strong therapeutic alliance is central to supporting the well-being of individuals, couples, and families.