HEALTH PSYCHOLOGIST  |  BOARD-APPROVED SUPERVISOR

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Melissa is a health psychologist and Board-approved supervisor who works with adolescents (16+) and adults. She supports people living with chronic illness, navigating life transitions, or looking to improve their psychological wellbeing.

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Melissa’s approach is warm, curious and collaborative. She works to understand you in the context of your relationships, attachment, and life experiences, and will help you to recognise your patterns and make lasting changes that fit your needs and values.

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​CLINICAL EXPERIENCE​

Melissa also works at The Prince Charles Hospital, specialising in advanced cardiac and respiratory disease, mechanical circulatory support, and heart and lung transplantation. She provides psychological assessment and intervention for adults awaiting transplantation, undergoing complex medical treatment, and adjusting to life after transplant.

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She has a particular interest in supporting patients in intensive care and those recovering from critical illness, including the psychological impacts of medical trauma, prolonged hospitalisation, and loss of independence. Prior roles at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital and The Prince Charles Hospital have involved providing psychological care across medical specialities, including surgery, traumatic injuries, intensive care, infectious disease, chronic disease, life-limiting illness, acute stroke, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

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THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES:​​​​​​​​​

• ​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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RESEARCH & TEACHING​​

​​​​​​​​​Melissa has been invited to speak at national and statewide conferences, workshops, and to hospital teams. She has tutored both undergraduate and postgraduate psychology subjects, and worked with research fellows at UQ's Faculty of Medicine in psychiatric genetics.

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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.