Meet Our Associate

Rita Van Meyel, M.S.W., R.S.W, is a compassionate and dedicated registered Social Worker with a wealth of experience in helping individuals (adults and youth) and families navigate life’s challenges. She offers psychotherapy; providing a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their emotions, find healing, and move forward. Rita also offers clinical consultation to fellow Registered Social Workers, helping them deepen their practice and enhance the care they provide.

Rita’s areas of focus include grief, loss, and life transitions, including complex grief and perinatal loss; trauma (both acute and historical); mood and anxiety challenges; and family therapy. She has been practicing social work since 1984 in a variety of medical and mental health settings, where she has gained invaluable experience.

Throughout her career, Rita has not only provided clinical care but also contributed to the field through teaching, training, and supervision. She has co-facilitated clinical initiatives and published research in areas such as early relational attachment, trauma, and transcultural mental health. She has been an Associate member of WestBridge Counselling and Consulting since 2012.

Rita’s approach to therapy is integrative and client-centered, blending cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic techniques with mindfulness-based, compassion-focused interventions. Depending on the needs of the client, she may also introduce EMDR to support healing. Her practice is grounded in empirically relevant research in attachment theory, neurobiology, sensorimotor (mind-body) approaches, and family systems frameworks—tools that guide her in helping clients heal, grow, and build meaningful connections.

Rita is committed to walking alongside her clients on their journey toward greater emotional well-being, supporting them in overcoming obstacles and embracing positive change.