- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Attachment work
About Melissa
Melissa Thompson is a PACFA-credentialled counsellor in Australia with 14 years of professional experience. She helps people who are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, and those dealing with trauma, grief, motivation and self-esteem challenges. She also supports clients managing addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, sleep problems, anger, career strain and ADHD-related difficulties.
Melissa works in a conversational way and focuses on naming and exploring strong emotions. She uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) depending on the situation. Sessions are practical and aim to help people notice patterns in thinking and feeling, then try different responses in day-to-day life.
Her approach pays attention to attachment and how early relationships shape current reactions. That perspective is useful for people struggling with abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment difficulties, codependency and communication problems. Melissa also supports those facing divorce, separation and family problems.
Clients can expect straightforward conversation about current problems and small steps to try between sessions. Melissa often works on improving emotional awareness, reducing avoidance, and building clearer communication. She brings experience addressing co-morbidity, dissociation, drug and alcohol addiction, first responder issues and forgiveness work.
If a person wants to begin, the process involves a short questionnaire and booking a first session. The counsellor discusses goals and agrees on a plan that fits the client’s life and practical constraints.
How Melissa uses EFT, ACT and attachment ideas online
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming emotions and the patterns that keep people stuck. It is often used when strong feelings, relationship patterns or attachment issues are hard to put into words.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting pulled into them, then choose meaningful actions based on values. Attachment-Based approaches look at how early relationships influence current reactions and help people build more effective ways of relating.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will collaborate with the client to decide whether EFT, ACT or an attachment focus fits best, based on the person’s needs, goals and preferences. That choice can shift as new issues emerge during therapy.
The original biography did not list specific online formats. Please confirm the current session options before booking so you know whether video, phone or another format is used. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments around work and family commitments, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove the time spent travelling to appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Melissa help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief, plus relationship and intimacy-related issues, addictions, sleep and anger problems.
What therapeutic approach does she use?
She lists Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) as a primary approach and also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based approaches, Client-Centred therapy and CBT where helpful.
How much experience does she have?
Melissa has 14 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioural concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is PACFA credentialled and practices in Australia.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography did not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.