(she/her)

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Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) Candidate

 

Melissa works with children, young people, and adults. Her approach is person-centred, warm, empathetic, and invitational.  She aims to create a safe, supportive, collaborative and non-judgmental environment where clients feel empowered to engage in meaningful change at their own pace. She uses a person-centred, trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy.

 

Melissa draws on a range of therapeutic modalities, including supportive counselling, psychoeducation, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), play therapy, and trauma-informed approaches.

 

Melissa has experience providing evidence-based therapy and assessments across the lifespan in private practice,  public health, and not-for-profit settings. Melissa gained experience working with varied and complex mental health presentations, including mood, anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Melissa is committed to adapting her therapeutic approach to meet the unique requirements, strengths, and lived experiences of each client.​

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Melissa is currently completing her Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), where her research focuses on neurodiversity-affirming practice and adapted treatment, and the presentation of complex co-occurring conditions in neurodivergent individuals.

 

She is passionate about promoting psychological wellbeing through collaborative, evidence-based, respectful care.

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Qualifications

Currently completing:

• Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Qualifications:​

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

• Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science

• Master of Business (Marketing)

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Sociology)

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Services

​Melissa offers a warm, safe, and supportive space where clients are respected, valued, and heard. She takes a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, ensuring that therapy focuses on understanding and supporting the client’s experience, not viewing difference as a deficit.

 

Melissa has a special interest in providing neurodiversity-affirming care, supporting autistic and ADHD clients to explore their authentic selves, manage co-occurring conditions, and navigate psychological distress.

 

She is committed to LGBTQA+ affirming practice and strives to create an environment where clients of all genders, sexualities, and identities feel recognised, respected, and supported.

 

Melissa works through a lens of cultural sensitivity, respecting that each person’s background, community, and lived experiences meaningfully shape their mental health and wellbeing.

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Melissa can support clients with the following:

• Depression 

• Anxiety 

• Stress

• PTSD & Complex PTSD

• Low Self-Esteem and Confidence Building

• Adjustment and Life Transitions

• Complex Mental Health Presentations

• Loss & Grief

• Emotion Regulation

• Interpersonal Difficulties​​

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How do I make an appointment?

Please call the friendly reception staff at MyClinic Bacchus Marsh on (03) 5367 8000.
Melissa is available for appointments.​​​​

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