Melissa Adams
Clinical Counsellor, Registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Eating Disorder Mental Health Clinician: Master of Counselling, BAppSc (OT), CCAA (Clinical), OT/AHPRA Reg. PACFA. ANZAED
Melissa is an experienced Clinical Counsellor and Mental Health Occupational Therapist (MHOT) who works with young people over the age of 15, 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 works with clients who may be experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Emotion Regulation and Distress
- Trauma
- Adjustment issues
- Stress
- Relationship challenges particularly regarding parenting young people
- Adjustment Issues
- Trauma
- HSC stress and anxiety
Melissa draws from various evidence-based models in the treatment of these 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.
She uses a trauma informed approach in her work. Melissa seeks to be collaborative and likes clients to be 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 and MANTRA 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 interests in Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder.
Working with parents and families is an area of interest for Melissa as this stage of life can be challenging for relationships. She has a particular interest in helping parents emotionally attune to their young person and learning ways of connecting with them in an effective way.
She provides individual and group sessions in the Tuning into Teens program. Melissa will work with both parents or whole family units in helping them to explore ways of improving relationships and navigate difficult times.
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 is able to 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
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.
