Mélanie Brétécher — DBT-Informed, Person-Centred Therapist in Toronto

Mélanie Brétécher

Registered Psychotherapist

(Qualifying)

About me

Life can sometimes feel like being caught in strong waves—overwhelmed by emotions, unsure of which direction to swim, or struggling to set healthy boundaries. These challenges can leave you feeling stuck, adrift, or exhausted from trying to stay afloat on your own. Therapy can be a safe harbour, offering space to pause, reflect, and regain your sense of direction.

I believe you are the expert of your own story, and I see therapy as a collaborative journey. My role is to walk alongside you with authenticity, compassion, and respect. Together, we’ll create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences, gain clarity, and develop practical tools to cope with life’s unpredictable waves.

I practice from a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)–informed framework, while also integrating Person-Centred Therapy. My approach is warm, inclusive, and grounded in cultural humility, recognizing the broader social and personal factors that shape each person’s mental health. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, self-doubt, emotion-regulation challenges, boundary-setting difficulties, identity exploration, and relationship stress. I also have experience supporting neurodiverse and 2SLGBTQ+ communities with care that is affirming and tailored to individual needs.

Together, we can build tools to help you navigate life’s tides with greater resilience, clarity, and self-compassion. Whether in-person or online, I offer a safe and supportive space where you can feel grounded and empowered. If you’re ready to take the next step, I encourage you to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation.

Modalities Used by Mélanie

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) — Informed
• Person-Centred Therapy
• Culturally Sensitive Therapy
• Strengths-Based Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Strategies
• Trauma-Informed Care

Mélanie ’s experience

• Emotion Regulation & Boundaries: Practical skills for managing intense emotions, reducing reactivity, and building healthy, values-aligned boundaries in relationships and at work. I have extensive experience working with individuals navigating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), suicidal ideation, self-harm and chronic emotional dysregulation, helping individuals build resilience, develop better coping strategies and strengthen your emotional wellbeing.
• Anxiety, Depression & Self-Doubt: Collaborative, compassionate support to understand patterns that keep you stuck and to develop coping tools that restore motivation, clarity, and self-trust. As someone with lived experience of mood disorders, I understand how difficult it can be to take the first step in seeking care; I am here to support you in taking it together.
• Neurodiversity- & 2SLGBTQ+-Affirming Care: Collaborative, compassionate support to understand patterns that keep you stuck and to develop coping tools that restore motivation, clarity, and self-trust. As someone with lived experience of mood disorders, I understand how difficult it can be to take the first step in seeking care; I am here to support you in taking it together.

Fun Facts

Speaking the same language is important; as a francophone, I also offer my services in French as a way to reduce barriers and increase accessibility to mental health for everyone - cultural humility is an essential pillar of my approach. When I’m not with clients, I immerse myself in nature; exploring new parks, taking care of my dozens of houseplants, or admiring neighbourhood pollinator gardens to watch bees work quietly. When life becomes overwhelming, nature often reminds me of patience, grounding, growth, peace…all values I strive to harvest in therapy together.