Hi, I'm Mellesa, a Registered Social Worker (BSW), Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, and certified in supporting the sleep needs of neurodivergent children. My background in social work provides me with a strong understanding of child development, attachment, family dynamics, and the impact that stress and trauma can have on both children and caregivers. I approach every family through a compassionate, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered lens.
As a Registered Social Worker, I am committed to upholding the high standards of ethical practice, professionalism, and accountability required by the Alberta College of Social Workers. I believe every family deserves individualized support that respects their parenting style, family values, and goals while providing the consistency needed to create lasting and meaningful change.
Beyond my professional experience, I am also a mom of two, and it was my own parenting journey that inspired this work. My oldest loved close connection and often fell asleep feeding or in my arms, reminding me that every child has unique sleep needs. My youngest was highly sensitive and faced medical challenges, including reflux and a cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). She became easily overstimulated and often struggled to settle comfortably, making sleep especially challenging for our family. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for how closely sleep is connected to a child's health, temperament, development, and sense of security. They reinforced my belief that families deserve individualized, compassionate support rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
My husband works shift work, and much of my parenting journey has involved caring for my children with limited day-to-day support. I understand how isolating it can feel to navigate sleepless nights while carrying much of the parenting load. I know firsthand the physical and emotional toll that sleep deprivation can have, and that's why supporting families through this season has become so meaningful to me.
My approach is gentle, holistic, attachment-based, and responsive. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all sleep training or expecting families to follow methods that don't align with their values. Instead, I work collaboratively with parents to create personalized sleep plans that consider each child's temperament, developmental stage, unique needs, and family goals. I believe healthy sleep can be achieved while protecting and strengthening the parent child relationship.
Whether you're navigating life with a newborn, supporting a toddler through bedtime struggles, or parenting a neurodivergent child with unique sleep needs, my goal is to help you feel supported, empowered, and confident as we work toward more restful nights together.
My philosophy
You don't have to choose between responding to your child and getting better sleep. Together, we'll create a gentle, holistic, attachment-based plan that honors your family's values while building healthy, lasting sleep habits.
