Counsellor profile
Melissa Thompson, PACFA
Australia
PACFA counsellor - Anger and relationship concerns
Continue with MelissaKey details
- CredentialsPACFA
- RegistrationPACFA, Australia / 25997
- Experience14 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationAustralia
About
- ACT and CBT methods
- Attachment-focused work
- Practical skill building
About Melissa
Melissa Thompson is a PACFA counsellor practising in Australia with 14 years of professional experience. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, motivation and self-esteem, and issues around anger and relationships.
Melissa keeps sessions straightforward and practical. She asks about what is happening now and what the person wants to change. Conversations focus on everyday reactions and habits that get in the way of calmer responses and clearer thinking.
Her approach draws on methods that help people notice thoughts and feelings without being pushed around by them. She also pays attention to how early attachments and relationship patterns affect current behaviour. The work can include strategies to manage distress, build new skills, and practise different ways of relating to others.
People often come with work stress, sleep problems or coping after loss. Melissa also sees clients dealing with addiction concerns, career decisions, ADHD and intimacy-related issues. She aims to break big problems into small, practical steps that fit daily life.
Sessions are conversational and focused on solving problems that matter to the client. Melissa helps people set realistic goals and checks progress along the way. To begin, she asks about current struggles and what a better day would look like.
How sessions work
Approaches used in online sessions and what they do
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting hooked by them. It often suits issues like anxiety, anger and avoidance by teaching values-based action and simple mindfulness skills.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It gives practical exercises to change unhelpful thinking patterns and build coping strategies for stress, low mood or sleep problems.
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationship patterns that began early in life and still influence current behaviour. It can help people understand why they react strongly in close relationships and try new ways of relating.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match goals, personality and practical needs. That decision can change as progress is made or different issues arise.
Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example a shorter check-in between commitments, therapy without travel time, or sessions that don't require being on camera. Discuss practical preferences when arranging the first appointment so sessions suit day-to-day routines.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, addictions, anger, relationship and intimacy-related issues, career concerns, ADHD and related areas.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and conversational, focusing on current reactions and small, doable changes rather than long theoretical discussion.
How many years has she been practising?
She has 14 years of professional experience working with people on a range of mental health and relationship concerns.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is credentialed with PACFA and practises in Australia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients book with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what about cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.