Avoidance feels easier … until it isn’t.
I help people navigate conflict, difficult conversations and the moments they can't keep avoiding.
We’re going there and it’s going to feel like relief.
What we avoid doesn't just disappear. It takes up space in our heads and hearts, strains relationships, and has a way of finding us again.
Whether you're leading a team, navigating a family transition, or facing a difficult decision, the challenge is often the same: How do I move through this moment in a way I'll be proud of later?
Workplace & Leadership Conflict
"I know I need to address it, but I don't know how."
Nobody trained you for the "people part." I help leaders navigate difficult feedback, team tension, performance issues, conflict and org change with clarity and confidence.
Family Dynamics & Transitions
"We've been avoiding this conversation for years."
Aging parents, caregiving, sibling tensions, co-parenting, divorce, legacy conversations — family transitions have a way of surfacing issues we've been hoping would sort themselves out.
Personal High-Stakes Moments
"Whatever happens, I want to handle this well."
A major decision. A difficult conversation. A big moment. Feel ready to show up with courage, clarity, and steadiness when avoiding is no longer an option.
Wherever you are in it, we can start there.
PREPARE
Heading into something difficult?
Get clear on what matters, what you want to say, and how you want to show up.
NAVIGATE
Already in the middle of it?
Make sense of what's happening, understand your options, and find a way forward.
REPAIR
Has something already gone sideways?
Figure out what repair might look like, including when the other person isn't willing or able to meet you there.
Hi, I’m Mel
For over 20 years, I’ve helped people navigate the conversations most of us avoid – in workplaces, in families, and in life’s moments where emotions run high and the stakes are real.
What I’ve learned is that difficult conversations are called difficult for a reason, but avoiding them is flat out exhausting.
Whether the goal is repair, resolution, or simply no longer carrying the emotional burden of what’s been left unresolved, I’m here to be a catalyst for change.
I'm Mel Raoul. I specialize in conflict, repair, and high-stakes conversations.
I hold a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from New York University and am a Certified Conflict Coach from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
I am based in Vancouver, BC on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
Sessions are available online or in person at my studio in Mount Pleasant, East Vancouver.
What Clients Have to Say
A few things you might be wondering
Is this therapy?
No. My work is practical and forward-focused. We’ll look at what’s happening, what matters to you, and how you want to move through it. If what you need is therapeutic or clinical support, I’ll tell you.
Do I need to bring the other person?
No. Most of my work is one-on-one. You don’t need the other person to participate—or even be willing to change—for our work to be useful.
What can we work on in one session?
Quite a lot. You might come in preparing for a difficult conversation, untangling a conflict, making a decision, figuring out a boundary, or working through what to do after something has gone sideways. We’ll focus on the situation in front of you and leave with a clear way forward.
What if the other person isn't willing to resolve the conflict?
That's okay. Resolution isn't always possible and it isn't always the goal. We can work on what is within your control: how you respond, what you communicate, the boundaries you set, and how you move forward without continuing to carry the conflict with you.
How much does a session cost?
A private 60-minute session is $295 CAD. If you already know you’d like to work together, you can book directly. If you’re not sure, book a free discovery call first.
Do you work with organizations and teams?
Yes. I work with leaders and organizations on difficult conversations, team dynamics, conflict, organizational change and other complex people challenges. Contact me and we can talk about what would be most useful.
Do you work virtually or in person?
Sessions are available online or in person at my studio in Mount Pleasant, East Vancouver.