Frequently Asked Questions

  • Ecotherapy is one of the clinical approaches that is offered at Healing Spaces Therapy. It draws on nature’s ability to bring a sense of calmness, insight and perspective into the therapeutic conversation, and invites us reciprocally to take up our role in contributing to healing the earth. Sessions can take place outdoors standing together alongside a river, walking while we speak on the phone, or meeting virtually and sharing about one’s spiritual connection with earth. Outdoor therapy or nature-based therapy conversations create space for both the personal challenges one may be experiencing and the pain of our earth. We can learn to listen deeply, both to Mother Earth’s pain as well as to her wisdom. We can come to see the intersections of systems of oppression in issues of social justice. As we awaken our deeply felt responses to the earth crisis, we remember how interconnected we are. This tends to move us to envision a better world for ourselves and beyond.

  • Yes, we meet in a park 30 min South of Guelph, or 20 min North of Ancaster (Ontario). First sessions are typically online before we transition outside. Outdoors, we can integrate nature into our conversations and pause to connect and listen deeply. Mother Earth is a powerful co-therapist!

  • Sessions can take place outdoors meandering together alongside a river, each walking through local forests while we speak on the phone, or meeting virtually to explore challenges in your life, or process your feelings about the earth crisis. Outdoor therapy or nature-based therapy conversations opens the personal challenges you are experiencing and ways your healing contributes to wider ripples of healing.

  • Yes, to residents of Ontario. We can each be on the phone in a natural setting to walk or pause to integrate nature’s healing presence. Virtually or by phone we can process your concerns about the earth crisis of our time and work to intentionally set roots that align with your values.

  • Therapy is available to Indigenous people who live in Ontario and have status. Fees for therapy are covered up to 20 sessions each year. Melissa is registered with NIHB, so please feel free to connect. Please ensure you have your registration number.

  • All services are strictly confidential and uphold legal regulations as well as high standards of ethical conduct. Limits to confidentiality include risk of harm and child abuse.

  • The most important factor in the success of therapy is you and the work that you do. The next most important piece is our relationship. When you feel you can trust me to talk about difficult things and you feel supported in this work, you are on your way to making life changing shifts.

  • Therapy is hard work, and it takes a commitment in terms of time, money, and effort. If you are not sure whether therapy is right for you or if I would be a good fit for you, please contact me for a free 15 minute consultation. I offer my gentle presence to help you where you are and can suggest some food for thought to help you decide if this is right for you.

  • Yes, I offer a free 15 minute consultation. This is a chance to ask questions and to see if we are a good fit for each other. Consultations can be done online or over the phone.

  • The number of sessions is based on the unique needs and goals of each person, couple, or family. Generally, 1-10 sessions is a good start, while 10-20 sessions helps to build long term changes. Some people return to therapy at later stages in life, when another challenge arises, to gain renewed support. Often growth is more like an expanding web than a linear progression.

  • Sessions are usually once per week or every other week. Sometimes we can space them out more, depending on your needs. Each session is one hour.

  • Fees are set at a competitive rate based on the standards of the profession. OHIP does not cover the cost for therapy though some work-based Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) may do so. Please consult your benefits plan first to see how much coverage you are entitled to.

  • Fees for therapy may be covered in part of fully, depending on your work coverage. In your health benefits package, check the mental health section for the maximum coverage allowable. If you are planning to do couple, parenting, or family therapy, also note whether other family members are covered and for how much. If you have a partner with coverage, review their benefit plan to see what they are entitled to and if it covers one or all family members. It is also important to figure out when the benefit year begins to ensure you do not exceed the annual maximum, or to start therapy at the end of the allowable year and to continue with the next year’s coverage amount.

    Melissa Clews-Hunt is a Master’s level Registered Psychotherapist (001368). She also is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Approved Supervisor, and Supervisor Mentor with Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (2017546).

  • No.

  • Children under the age of 12 are seen as part of Family Therapy with parent(s) involved. Youth ages 12-18 can meet me one on one, while parent(s) also commit to participate in some of the sessions.

  • Yes, it is the same fee for meeting outdoors as it is for online or by phone.