Evelyne Pilgar & Melissa Hathaway-Refrees
Evelyne Pilgar: With 30 years of practice in pediatric Occupational Therapy, Evelyne provides a knowledgeable and practical approach to the management of children with complex special needs in their natural environments. Her specialized training in sensory processing, neurological and mental health disorders has provided her with a unique lens in which to assess and manage behavior and she enjoys supporting others in learning to see beyond behaviour. Having worked extensively with parents, group home and educational staff, Evelyne is very aware of the barriers and obstacles present in maximizing the potential of children with behavioural concerns. She is able to encompass her own learning, teaching experience and business experience to offer guidance to individuals at all levels of the system so that every child can be successful. Evelyne has specific training in Triple P Positive Parenting, Life Care Planning, SOS Feeding, and Therapeutic Listening. She has owned her own practice since 1998, is bilingual in French and English, and is currently the President of the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists.
Melissa Hathaway-Refrees: Melissa is a Dalhousie University graduate who started her Occupational Therapy career in 1999 when she moved west from New Brunswick. She worked with adults for 5 years and then moved to pediatrics, where she has worked for the last 14 years. Early in pediatrics Melissa attended a Moving to Higher Ground Course that helped shape her career and start her on the journey of lifelong learning, teaching and growing. She started working with children, both at home and school, while also providing the tools needed to support caregivers and teachers. Over the past 14 years Melissa has devoted a large amount of her time to learning about sensory processing and how it shapes what we know as behaviour. She became trained in Myofascial Release and obtained training in the Integrated Listening Systems (iLS) program. Melissa then chose to pursue knowledge around pediatric eating disorders, dedicating many hours to problem feeders and picky eaters. She has successfully followed families through the journey of complex feeding and is trained in SOS. Her most recent learning is with the International Maternity and Parenting Institute where she is training to be a Pediatric Sleep Consultant. Melissa brings a truly holistic perspective to therapy, blending a variety of skills together to support the family, caregivers and children on their journey. Melissa is also a wife to a very supporting husband and Mom to two beautifully unique children.