Halie Merlin
Comprehensive mental health care for adults, adolescents, children 10+ with Halie Merlin, MACP, Registed Psychotherapist (Qualifying).
Halie Merlin, MACP
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Registered with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Key Areas of Focus: Family Conflict, School Avoidance & Bullying
- Core Therapy Approaches: Emotion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy
“Supporting a deeper connection – with yourself and others.”
☑VirtualServices ☑In-Person Services
Is Halie the right match for you?
I focus on supporting children and teens (ages 10+) navigating challenges with school avoidance, anxiety and challenges within peer and family relationships. I work with youth who may be struggling to attend school, feeling overwhelmed by big emotions or becoming increasingly withdrawn or disconnected at home. I have particular experience helping teens navigate school-related anxiety, emotion regulation difficulties, self-esteem concerns and social stress, while supporting families in reducing conflict and rebuilding connection. I also work with parents who feel stuck and unsure how to respond to avoidance, distress or ongoing tension at home.
My approach focuses on helping young people better understand their emotions, build coping strategies and gradually increase their capacity to face difficult situations. Alongside this, I support parents in responding to their child’s needs in ways that reduce escalation and strengthen the parent-child relationship. I draw from emotion focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal family systems (IFS) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to provide developmentally appropriate, compassionate and practical support. This work is a good fit for families looking for both a space to be heard and clear, supportive strategies to help life feel more manageable at school and at home.
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Education
I earned my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) from Yorkville University in 2025 and my Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University in 2022. My education has provided a strong foundation in child and adolescent development, mental health, and evidence-based interventions.
I take a client-centre approach to therapy, grounded in training from Emotion-FOcused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I have also completed specialized training in supporting children and adolescents experiencing school avoidance, which informs my work with youth navigating academic stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm. EFT guides my work with individuals, couples and families by helping clients understand the deeper emotions and patterns that drive both connection and disconnection. CBT compliments this by offering practical developmentally appropriate tools to manage anxiety, regulate emotions and cope with day-to-day challenges. Together, these approaches allow me to support youth and families in making sense of what they’re experiencing, strengthening relationships and building realistic strategies to move forward.
Work Experience
I began working at Thrive Together Mental Wellness Centres in January 2026. What drew me to Thrive was the holistic, client-centered approach and the wide range of resources they provide to support clients and families.
Prior to Thrive, I completed my practicum and continued working with SolutionFirst Therapy, where I provided virtual therapy to youth, parents, couples and families. This experience helped shape my clinical focus, particularly in supporting children and adolescents navigating school avoidance, anxiety and challenges with peers and families. I also worked closely with parents and families to build practical strategies for managing transitions, reducing conflict and strengthening connections at home.
To Get Started, please...
Complete our intake formNo referral is required for most services.
A referral is needed for certain services, such as psychiatry.
Getting Started with Therapy.
If you have never been to therapy before, or even if you have, the process of getting started can be confusing.
Here is what you need to know.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Taking the first step toward wellness is a significant milestone.
- At Thrive, we offer a few ways to get started, depending on where you are in your journey today.
Option 1:
Schedule a Full Intake Session
Best for:Ready to dive in and begin the therapeutic process immediately.
While we offer brief consultations, we highly recommend starting with acomprehensive intake session. A full session provides the time and space needed for a deep-dive assessment of your goals, allowing your therapist to understand your history and build a personalized plan for your growth.
- Book Online: https://thrive.portal.medfarsolutions.com/en/login
- Call Us: 343-882-6766
- Email: info@thrivetogether.ca
Option 2:
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are still considering therapy or are not sure which therapist is the right fit, we offer two types of complimentary support calls to help you find your way:
- Navigation Call (with our Care Concierge): Best if you need help navigating our services. Our team will listen to your goals and match you with the therapist whose expertise best aligns with your specific needs.
- Discovery Call (with a Therapist): A brief, 15-minute introductory chat to meet a specific clinician.Please note: These calls are helpful for a "vibe check," but are limited in scope compared to a full assessment.
Our Recommendation:
To get the most value out of your initial experience, most clients find that booking aFull Intake Session provides the clarity and momentum they need to start seeing real change.
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If you are ready to book an appointment, you can book directly online or call Thrive Together Mental Wellness Centres at 1-800-765-4992.
For the first appointment, I recommend you book a 90-minute Initial Assessment and Treatment session, either online or in person. The extra time (over a regular 60-minute session) is because the first session is a busy one. In this session, we will establish a relationship, assess the presenting problem, identify goals, and ideally, I will do some teaching about the cognitive model and leave you with something to work on before your second session.
If you would rather book a regular 60 minute session for the first appointment feel free to do so. We will fit as much into the time as we can.
Be sure to choose the appointment option that matches your preference - in person or online. If you want to switch between in-person and online at a later date, email us and we will update your appointment.
Booking Your Appointment
If you are interested in receiving a psychodiagnostic assessment, your first visit needs to be scheduled through our care navigation team by calling 343-882-6766 or emailing info@thrivetogether.ca.
To book your first therapy session, you can also reach out to our care navigation team, or you may be able to book directly online. You can also book directly online if you would like to get started by having a complimentary Navigation Call with our Care Concierge team. Our Care Concierge team is trained to help clarify your goals and match you with the most appropriate services and providers so your care is clear, efficient, and well-aligned from the start.
Account Creation
When booking an appointment online, you will be prompted to create an account through our secure online platform. This account allows you to view availability and schedule appointments online. You will be asked to provide some personal information, such as your age and contact details, to complete your registration.
Scheduling Recommendations
When booking your first appointment, it is recommended that you also schedule several follow-up sessions in advance to help ensure availability at your preferred times. Any appointments that are no longer needed can be cancelled without penalty with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you are unsure how many sessions to book, starting with approximately 10 appointments on a weekly or bi-weekly basis is often a helpful guideline.
Preparing for Your First Session
After you have created your online account, there is paperwork to complete before your first session. You will be asked to read about and consent to our clinic policies. You may also be asked to complete questionnaires with background information about you and your reasons for seeking therapy. Please take the time to complete these forms, it helps ensure that we are a good match before you spend your time, money and energy on a session and it helps us make good use of session time.
Payment Info
Psychotherapy services may be covered by your extended health insurance policies. Please check your insurance company or employer to be sure. Thrive Together Mental Wellness Centres does not currently offer direct billing, but you will be provided with a receipt.
Fees
VIRTUAL:
- Discovery Call (15 minutes): Complimentary
- Individual Psychotherapy (60 minutes): $150
- Couples Psychotherapy (60 minutes): $180
- Families Psychotherapy (60 minutes): $180
Additional services such as telephone consultations, letters, and form completions that take longer than 15 minutes will be invoiced at the hourly rate.
You're Welcome Here.
Take a 3D tour, explore photos, and get comfortable with our clinic before your first visit.Our Mission
At Thrive Together Mental Wellness Centres, our mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing evidence-based, trauma-informed mental health care.
We are committed to tailoring our services to meet your unique needs, so you can heal and learn to thrive. We aspire to redefine mental health care by blending compassion, cutting-edge treatments, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Our Values
Empathy
We approach every patient with understanding, compassion, and respect.
Innovation
Integrity
Collaboration
Growth
Why Choose Us?
At Thrive Together Mental Wellness Centres, we pride ourselves on providing trauma-informed, evidence-based care in a welcoming and inclusive space.
Our team of dedicated clinicians work collaboratively to ensure every patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs. Whether you’re seeking psychiatry, psychotherapy, or specialized assessments, our holistic approach ensures you’ll find the support you need to thrive.