Hi! My name is Mel.

There’s something I’d like you to know about me: I absolutely love what I do. I love my clients, and I love the process of working with you, and seeing the transformations that happen in relationships. I’m committed to making space in the world for people to express their deepest desires, and to live and love in healthy ways. And I bring all my skills and experiences (everything from studying in yoga ashrams to management, to peer counselling and my own relationship learnings) to support you.

I’m a white-presenting 2nd generation settler of MENAHT and Celtic/Anglo descent; born in the UK (London), raised in the Middle East (Kuwait), I came to Canada in 2004. In my matrilineal line I am the first in six generations that has not been a refugee, and identify as part of the Sinti/Roma Diaspora. I was raised with strong influences of Latinx, Mediterranean, and Arab cultures, woven with the philosophies and practices of Kashmir Shaivism and Vedanta. Since 2004, British Columbia, Canada, has been my home, and I live today on the unceded traditional territories of the K’omoks Nation.

I’ve had first hand experience of a wide spectrum of relationships.

Formerly monogamous, I came to explore non-monogamy as I sought out a more authentic way of living; I was tired of living by a default set of expectations for how my life was expected to unfold.

After a miscarriage in 2009 and struggling with depression, I began diving into the question of what I really needed, wanted, and desired in my life. I knew I wanted to have more than one partner, and I knew I didn’t want to have any dishonesty in my relationships. In 2012 I began writing my blog, Polysingleish; it was a way to explore and process the unconventional approach to polyamory I was finding myself drawn to.

I realised I enjoyed diving into the inner workings of relationships of all styles, and I chose to pursue my certification in Counselling for Intimacy in Relationships from the Vancouver College of Counselor Training, and am trained in Holistic Peer Counselling and ZEGG Forum facilitation. My current studies are focused on Somatics and Trauma-Informed approaches to healing: I am completing my training as a Somatic Movement Teacher with the Institute of Applied Somatics, and have studied with the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education. In 2025 I will be graduating from Somatic Experiencing International as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.

Prior to being a relationship coach, I enjoyed a career teaching acting and theatre skills, and for over a decade I was a professional bodyworker. I hold a BA(Hons) in Acting, a LAMDA Gold Medal for Acting with Honors, and a Diploma in Bodywork and Massage. I sit on the faculty for the Vancouver School of Healing Arts, and I am also an artist, event producer, and occasionally a DJ for ecstatic dance events.

I bring the diversity of who I am to my practice.

I bring all my experience to the work I do and aim to meet my client wherever they are at, whatever their own background, without judgement.

Some important things to know about me:

I’m queer, genderfluid(they/them), and identify as a polyamorous relationship anarchist. I’m also dyslexic, experience misophonia, have arthritis, and am unable to differentiate between certain shades of teal and turquoise. I’m a survivor of sexual trauma, gaslighting, and complex PTSD. Currently I’m working on recovery from Long Covid and ME/CFS.

I practice anti-racism, anti-oppression, and support decolonization. 

When I came to the lands known as Canada I was ignorant to the expressions of racism as it exists in North America, and stumbled in my ignorance. It has been an ongoing journey to unpack the layers of internalized white supremacy, and I don’t know if that journey has a finish line. I see anti-oppression as a practice, meaning there is always more to learn, and more to do.

I refute binary gendered scripts.

I support diverse gender expression and reject the idea that a person must behave according to a limited scope because of their genitals or endocrine system.

I support inclusion.

I am sensitive to the needs of the differently-abled, and am in an ongoing process to examine and improve the accessibility of my offerings, including adding subtitles to my video materials, providing transcripts of audio materials, and making graphics more user friendly. This is a time consuming process, so if you come across any materials you need alternative access support with, please send me a message and I will prioritize this material for you.

I support personal spirituality but remain skeptical of spiritual cliques and cults.

I have respect for diverse religious and spiritual practices that (a) do no harm , (b) support healthy relationships between all humans, and (c) are rooted in traditions and lineage.
I am a life-long student of a lineage-based Yoga tradition rooted in Kashmir Shaivism, Vedanta, and Bhakti Yoga, and have spent extended time studying these teachings and in service to my spiritual community. I have also studied additional spiritual paths and practices that support my personal connection to spirit.
I encourage critical thinking and personal examination of belief systems.

I embrace both modern western medicine and traditional medicine and healing practices.

I listen to science and seek to understand the workings of the body. My experience has been that both allopathic and naturopathic paths for wellness have their merits and their drawbacks.
I support free choice regarding responsible, intentional, fully informed, respectful use of psychedelics as part of mental health healing, where plant medicines are gathered and other medicines created respectfully, with integrity for indigenous traditions, the land, and the people who participate in all steps of the processing of medicine from origin to student.
I am pro-choice, pro-vaccine, and pro measures that support the greater health of community.

I advocate for consent culture, feminism, and dismantling the patriarchy.

I see the mental health afflictions affecting many today as a consequence of oppression and dominance culture. My passion for consent culture and feminism extends from a firm conviction that by dismantling patriarchy, colonialism, and other forms of oppressive and dominating cultures, we may create healthier conditions where all beings (including non-human beings) may thrive.

I support accountability and compassionate community care.

I do not support Cancel Culture, but instead advocate for trauma-informed practices of accountability, healing, and repair (where possible). I pro-actively have an Accountability Pod.

I enjoy public speaking, teaching, and sharing my insights about relationships.

I have presented talks and workshops on the subject of relationships at Vancouver Island University, Douglas College, Bass Coast Festival BC, Vancouver Polyamory 101, Nanaimo Poly 101, Comox Valley Poly 101, Atlanta Polyamory, The Greater Vancouver Interactive Arts Society, Love Sex Intelligence Culture Labs, Modern Sex Talks, WestCoast Bound, ConvergeCon, PolyCon Canada, and more.
In 2014 I co-founded the Solo Polyamory group on Facebook, and I also co-produced the first International Solo Polyamory Unconference. I’ve been featured as an expert on non-monogamous relationships in Newsweek, Elle Magazine, Huffington Post, Vancouver Courier, CBC Radio Canada, Refinery29, The Greatist, Fatherly, and many others, and have been a guest on numerous podcasts.

I enjoy nurturing joyful, fulfilling relationships within my local community and chosen family around the world.