Malerie Lipa is a Registered Social Worker with over a decade of experience working with individuals, children, adolescents and families. She has extensive experience supporting children and youth struggling with mental health concerns including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, loss, family challenges, parent-child conflict and troubles with school. As an experienced child and family therapist, Malerie knows that partnering with caregivers is key to helping young people reach their goals. Malerie has supported many parents in caring for children with difficult behaviours, attachment disruptions, ADHD diagnoses, trauma and big family changes. She works hard to foster a warm and welcoming environment—to create a space where people feel safe and understood.

Malerie specializes in working with children and youth, using a combination of play, art, and talk therapy. Her work is holistic and body based, using play and movement to help individuals process big feelings and tough memories. Malerie practices from a strengths based, client-centred, trauma informed approach. Malerie has significant experience working with children and youth who have experienced trauma and attachment disruptions. Her treatment methods are approachable and all stem from evidence based treatment modalities and years of training. Some of these trainings include: Play-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Synergetic Play Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Art Therapy, Sandtray and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). To provide the best level of clinical care, she has been trained in the Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework, which is a flexible, components-based intervention developed for children and adolescents, along with their caregiving systems.

Malerie holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from McGill University and a Masters of Social Work degree from New York University. Malerie is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She has worked in children’s mental health in Toronto, Montreal, New York and Vancouver. Malerie is happy to be a part of the Toronto Family Therapy and Meditation team and hopes she can support clients to make meaningful and lasting change in their lives.