Melissa is the Founder and Clinic Director of The Couple Wellness Experts.

Melissa is a Registered Social Worker who has been in the field for over 20 years. She is a Certified Gottman Therapist and works with couples, supervises practitioners, and facilitates workshops and retreats.

Melissa is the Founder and Clinic Director of The Couple Wellness Experts. Melissa is a Registere... Read More

Are you excited to strengthen your long term relationship? Or are you at the stage of engagement and wanting to form a solid foundation for your lives together? Or are you and your partner eager to learn more about each other’s needs and goals? Or are you struggling and yearning for the skills to better communicate, apologize, forgive, and cultivate a peaceful home and family as a trusting and committed team?

Susan Netterfield loves healthy relationships and marriages. Happily married for three decades, her life experience has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of marriage. She believes that with the right tools and shared commitment, relationships can thrive. Decades of research shows that strong relationships are related to better emotional, financial and health outcomes.

As an intern doing her Master of Divinity in Clinical Counselling at Tyndale University, Susan Netterfield blends theological and psychological insights in her practice. Susan is doing her internship under the direct supervision of Melissa Johari. With certifications to facilitate Level One and Two Gottman and Prepare/Enrich, she offers research-based tools to help you build your friendship and manage conflicts. She can help you gain a deeper understanding of your dreams, family cultural differences, history, attachment styles and values while acquiring new skills to navigate your relationship’s challenges.

Your marriage is a valuable investment, and Susan is here to help you enrich it.

Are you excited to strengthen your long term relationship? Or are you at the stage of engagement ... Read More

Are you a couple going through complex struggles?

I know firsthand how complex family life can be. I grew up in an Indigenous community in Nunavut (Ikaluktutiak), where my family was one of a handful of Filipino/Asian families in the area. I also have personal experience with being in an intercultural marriage. These experiences shape how I understand identity, belonging, compassion and resilience. They also deepened my appreciation for the unique strengths and challenges that every couple brings to therapy.

Over the years, I’ve worked across child welfare and adult protection, walking alongside people through trauma, abuse, family conflict, and substance use. What really matters to me is helping couples feel seen, heard, and understood. Relationships can carry deep hurts, and sometimes those hurts feel impossible to manage on your own.

I’m a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, and an Associate with The Couple Wellness Experts. I’ve completed Levels One and Level Two Gottman Method Couples Therapy, the Gottman training on Trauma and Affairs, and an externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy. My academic background includes a Master of Social Work and a combined Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Social Work from McMaster University.

I especially enjoy working with new parents and supporting partners through the big transition of welcoming a baby, including helping dads and partners understand the hormone changes and emotional shifts new moms experience. I also care deeply about how conflict affects kids, and I often help parents learn how to navigate disagreements to healthier ways of communicating. My background in child protection and adult protection also gives me insight into more complex situations, like couples navigating ADHD or FASD. I also know what it is like to enter into a stage in life of caring for parents with dementia.

I create a safe, supportive space where couples can work through conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen their connection. Whether it’s learning how to communicate better, repairing from betrayal, or navigating the stress of parenting, my goal is to help couples grow closer rather than drift apart.

At the heart of my work is a belief that relationships are a place of growth and transformation. When couples lean into that process—with honesty, courage, and a willingness to listen—real healing and lasting connection can happen.

Are you a couple going through complex struggles? I know firsthand how complex family life can b... Read More

Elnor Walsh, B.S.W., M.S.W. (Candidate), Registered Social Worker (R.S.W.)

Feeling Emotionally Lost in Life?

Sometimes people feel lost with life, work or their relationship. They are not quite sure what will help but they know they don’t feel at their optimal. I can help.

Are you struggling with health issues or chronic pain?

Are you emotionally struggling with a recent medical diagnosis or chronic pain? Or trying to navigate talking to family about your health struggles? It helps to talk it through, and I’m here to help.

I utilize a holistic and customized approach with couples and individuals throughout the therapeutic process to accommodate each client’s unique experience, needs, and goals for therapy.

I strive to create a safe and open environment to foster insight and communication. I value the importance of the therapeutic relationship so clients can move forward with ease.

Experience:

I am a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and a proud member of both the Ontario Association of Social Workers and the Canadian Association of Social Workers. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto, specializing in Mental Health and Health. I expect to complete my degree in April 2026.

With over 26 years of experience in human services, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside individuals and families from richly diverse backgrounds—across race, ethnicity, religion, and LGBTQ2S+ communities. My practice is rooted in a strengths-based approach, guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. I am deeply committed to honoring the unique identities and lived experiences of those I support.

Client Focus:

Couples, Families, and Individuals

Types of therapy:

I am currently completing Level One training in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, and draw on other modalities such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Issues:

Couple communication and conflict management, stress, depression, anxiety, life transitions

More than just my work:

Outside of work, I find joy in exploring nature—always on the lookout for new walking trails in and beyond my community. I love attending local festivals, soaking in the vibrant energy they bring, and spending quality time with my family and our beloved American Bully, Alora.

Elnor Walsh, B.S.W., M.S.W. (Candidate), Registered Social Worker (R.S.W.) Feeling Emotionally L... Read More