Dr. Melissa Jay

Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her) is a cisgender, Nehiyaw member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, registered psychologist, and assistant professor at Athabasca University. She uses her privilege to pave paths towards trauma-informed, socially just, anti-oppressive support by integrating ancient wisdom traditions and psychology. As the current Indigenous Director for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, she is grateful to walk alongside Indigenous kin, across Turtle Island. Melissa is also director of Canmore Counselling and Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, dedicated to her own healing journey and lifelong studentship. She lives in Chuwapchipchiyan Kude Bi (Canmore) with her spouse and rescue dog, Lulu.

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Research interests

• Principal Investigator: An exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the personal and work lives ofhealthcare professionals, their responses to these impacts, and views on resources needed post-pandemicto overcome these impacts
• Principal Investigator: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Integrating Mind-Body-Spirit-Heart within the Human Services
• Collaborator: Transgender Mental Health during COVID-19: Digital World Building in Alberta

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Educational credentials

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology
• Master of Counselling: Counselling Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts: Psychology

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Professional affiliations

• College of Alberta Psychologists
• Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention
• Yoga Alliance

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