Meet Melissa Beacom (she/her) and Tara Embrey (she/her), founders and partners at Mint OT!
In 2022, while working at the University of Guelph, Tara and Melissa created, launched, and researched an academic resilience program called Learning to Bounce. The program resulted in exciting and statistically significant improvements in shame resilience, self-compassion, stress management, motivation, and recovery from setbacks.
During each group and study session, Melissa and Tara would serve students mint tea from their garden. This simple tradition inspired many students to begin making their own mint tea at home as a source of comfort and encouragement when tackling difficult tasks. In 2024, the pair decided to bring their work into the community, naming their company Mint Occupational Therapy as a reminder that small acts of compassion can help people move through hard times. Their lived experience of ADHD informs their therapy and fuels their passion to create solutions that really work.
At Mint OT, the two occupational therapists help bring ease, function, and joy to neurodivergent professionals and students navigating the endless demands of work, school, and home life. Their mission is to “help neurodivergent folks feel enough just as they are while also making practical shifts that help them get through the demands of work, school, and life.” Melissa and Tara are passionate about supporting clients to take action towards their goals and must-dos, even when the pull of fear and avoidance is strong. Their lived experience of ADHD informs their therapy and fuels their passion to create solutions that really work.
Mint OT brings together a unique blend of occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and ADHD coaching to help clients find hope and motivation, reduce overwhelm, get through tasks with less friction, and move towards the life they want for themselves. Melissa and Tara get immense joy from combining tools from different fields, exploring podcasts, innovations, and research across disciplines to develop creative solutions to the everyday challenges that ADHD can bring. As they explain, “It is one thing to know what to do and another to do it.” Through Mint OT, they help bridge that gap.
Mint OT has been a member of 10C since 2024. Melissa and Tara appreciate the flexibility and accessibility that the space provides, noting that “it’s great to be able to book a room as needed without carrying the overhead of a monthly rental fee.” Beyond the practical benefits, they have also enjoyed being part of the 10C community. “The sense of community when you enter 10C is palpable, it feels like a hub,” they share, adding that clients often comment on how alive the space feels. They have especially enjoyed getting to know other clinicians and organizations at 10C and value being able to connect clients with additional services and supports that help them thrive.
In addition to their individual client work, Melissa and Tara love running groups and workshops that support workplaces in becoming more neuroinclusive and help employees manage work demands without burning out.
To learn more about Mint OT or connect with Melissa and Tara, visit their website or Psychology Today profile.
