​Melissa is a health psychologist and board approved supervisor specialising in the care of adolescents (16+) and adults with a range of psychological concerns. She uses a holistic, client-centered approach that is collaborative and personable. Her special interest is working with individuals who present with chronic disease, traumatic injury, and life limiting illness, although she works with anyone wanting to achieve psychological wellness and tailors interventions to individual needs.​

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In addition to private practice, Melissa works as a health psychologist at The Prince Charles Hospital specialising in advanced heart failure and heart and lung transplant. In this role, she provides psychological assessment and intervention for individuals who are awaiting a transplant and those adjusting to life after transplant. She works with advanced cardiac and respiratory illness, cancer, and end-of-life.

 

Other experiences includes neuropsychological assessment for children and adolescents referred for emotional and behavioural concerns, autism, ADHD, learning disorders, and intellectual impairment.

 

Prior to these roles, Melissa worked at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital across a range of specialties, including surgery, intensive care, trauma, infectious disease, chronic disease, palliative care, acute stroke, rehabilitation, general medicine, and geriatric care.

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Melissa has been invited to speak at conferences and workshops, and has facilitated talks nationally, statewide, and to hospital teams. She has tutored undergraduate and postgraduate psychology subjects, and worked with Senior Research Fellows in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Queensland in psychiatric genetics and perinatal and infant mental health.​

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She uses evidence-based treatments including:

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• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• Schema Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Interpersonal Therapy

• Compassion Focused Therapy

• Emotionally Focused Therapy

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy​

• Family Systems and Attachment

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Beyond work, Melissa enjoys spending time in nature, travelling, writing, and being creative. She has lived in Africa, Europe, and Australia and speaks Afrikaans and conversational isiZulu.