Melissa Adams
Registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist (MHOT), Clinical Counsellor and Eating Disorder Mental Health Clinician: Master of Counselling, BAppSc (OT), CCAA (Clinical), OT/AHPRA Reg. PACFA. ANZAED
Melissa is an experienced Mental Health Clinician who works with young people over the age of 16 years, adults, parents, and families. Melissa has unique experience as both a Counsellor and MHOT. Mental Health OT’s are approved by Medicare to provide focussed psychological services including CBT, mindfulness, stress management and interpersonal therapy. They are skilled in helping individuals look at how their mental health is impacting their lives and assisting them to make change to grow and move forward. With her added Counselling skills, Melissa is well equipped to deal with all manner of mental health issues.
Melissa has a particular interest in the following areas:
- Eating disorders – Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa and other disordered eating issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Body Image concerns
- Emotion Regulation and Distress
- Trauma
- Stress
- Relationship challenges particularly regarding parenting young people
- HSC stress and anxiety
Melissa draws from various evidence-based models in the treatment of all mental health issues. She utilises Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has done extensive training in these areas. As a Mental Health OT Melissa also seeks to use OT based interventions in her therapy where appropriate.
She uses a trauma and neurodiverse informed approach in her work. Melissa seeks to be collaborative and values clients being actively involved in the therapy process. She places emphasis on clients being able to learn skills to navigate their emotional journey.
When working with clients with an Eating Disorder, Melissa draws from CBT-E, MANTRA, Collaborative Carer Skills models of treatment. She has connections with Eating Disorder Accredited Dietitians and always seeks to work in a collaborative team approach. She has a particular interest in Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. She takes a HAES© (Health at Every Size) approach when working with disordered eating.
An area of interest for Melissa is in working with caregivers or support people of those with an eating disorder. She believes it is essential to help support people to gain insight into how the patterns of relationship and communication may be influencing their loved one’s recovery. She has been trained in the Collaborative Carer Skills Model developed by Janet Treasure.
Melissa is an approved counsellor for Victims Services NSW and can provide counselling via this service for clients who have experienced trauma in their lives.
Melissa is a PACFA approved supervisor for Counsellors and enjoys providing clinical supervision for counsellors and Mental Health Occupational Therapists.
Melissa can appropriately integrate faith issues in counselling for Christian clients and is able to sensitively address issues for people from different faith and cultural backgrounds.
Counselling can be provided face-to-face or via telehealth for those clients who are unable to attend in person.
Fee Structure
Melissa offers Medicare rebates for approved clients under the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme if you have a Mental Health Care plan provided by your GP.
Private Health Fund rebates via your Occupational Therapy Ancillary cover are also available for clients with private health insurance. Some health funds offer a rebate for Clinical Counselling.
Fees paid by cash/ EFTPOS at the conclusion of the session or by EFT same day for non-face to face.
