Dr. Melissa Jay (she/her)

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 the lifespan. My home is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Châ Ûpchîchîyen Kudebi (colonially called 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, and am often part of hiring committees across the university.

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. I also lead training programs in trauma-informed yoga psychology, with a focus on offering workshops on trauma-informed yoga psychology and decolonial care.

As the past National Indigenous Director of the CCPA, I recognize that not all organizations are ready to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, and I have learned to step back 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.

Discover my research

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Research interests

Indigenous Worldviews; Honouring Truth and Protocol; Decolonization; Social Justice; Culturally Responsive Counselling; Community Care; Trauma-Informed Practices

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Educational credentials

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology
• Master of Counselling: Counselling Psychology
• Bachelor of Arts: Psychology

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Professional affiliations

• College of Alberta Psychologists
• Canadian Psychological Association
• Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention
• International Association for Yoga Therapists
• Yoga Alliance

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