Current courses
Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her)
Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her)
Associate Professor
Contact information
Email: mjay@athabascau.ca
Phone:
As a cisgender nehiyaw member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, registered psychologist, and yoga therapist, my work is grounded in decolonized healing, putting social justice into action, and supporting continued learning and unlearning, across our lifespan. My home is in the beautiful rocky mountains, Chuwapchipchiyan Kude Bi (colonially named Canmore), alongside my spouse and our rescue-turned-retired-therapy-dog, Lulu.
As one of few Indigenous faculty members at Athabasca University, I am aware of my privilege and am committed to co-creating opportunities for trauma-informed, socially just, anti-oppressive community care by integrating ancient wisdom traditions and psychology. I serve on AU's GFC's Honorary Awards Committee, provide Indigenous-led guidance to the Research Ethics Board as well as co-facilitate a Sacred Circle of Squares for Indigenous Students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with my friend and colleague Dr. Josie Auger. I have been and continue to be part of a multitude of hiring committees, across the institution and also serve as a reviewer to the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (CJCP).
I am also the director of Canmore Counselling and the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School. It is a joy to offer workshops, trainings, and supervision to fellow helpers and organizations committed to community care.
As the past National Indigenous Director of the CCPA, I acknowledge that some organizations are not yet ready to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and thus I have learned to step away, when needed. I continue to serve as a consultant to the Social Justice Chapter (since 2009) and am a member of the Elder and Knowledge Keeper Council for the Indigenous Circle Chapter of the CCPA.
With goodness,
Melissa
Research interests
In Progress:
- Principal Investigator (2021-Present) An Indigenous-Led Self-Inquiry into Honouring Protocol and Preserving Truth. Athabasca University. Funded.
- Co-Applicant (2022-Present) Social Justice, Counselling and COVID: Professionals' and Clients' Perspectives. Western University. Funded.
Concluded:
- Principal Investigator (2021-2023). An exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the personal & work lives of healthcare professionals, their responses to these impacts & views on resources needed post-pandemic to overcome these impacts. Athabasca University. Deep gratitude for our research team, including research assistants Chey Johns (she/her), Jen Calver (she/her), and Elizabeth Gorny-Wegrzyn (she/her).
- Collaborator (2022). Storytelling Trans Futures: Facing Crisis and Dreaming Thrivance with Digital Worlds. Athabasca University. Deep gratitude for our research team, including research assistant J Kaneda (they/them), members of the Trans Council, and members of the Two Spirit Council.
- Collaborator (2020-2021). Transgender Mental Health During COVID-19: Digital World Building in Alberta. Athabasca University. Deep gratitude for our research team, including research assistant J Kaneda (they/them), members of the Trans Council, and members of the Two Spirit Council.
Educational credentials
- Ph.D. in Social Psychology
- Master of Counselling: Counselling Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts: Psychology
Professional affiliations
- College of Alberta Psychologists
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention
- International Association for Yoga Therapists
- Yoga Alliance