Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Taking the first step to reach out takes courage. I’m here to support you through the process of navigating mental health and life challenges.
As a dedicated mental health clinician credentialed in Australia with 25 years of professional work experience I am a psychologist and accredited mental health social worker working from Psychological Therapy Services in Payneham, Adelaide and here online.
I have worked in various clinical settings, including domestic violence, child adolescent and adult community mental health, youth justice, rape and sexual assault, hospitals, public and private practice. In these settings I have been trained in and use a range of evidenced based therapies including CBT, CPT, DBT, ACT, EFT, IPT, MI, EMDR, and use a range of psychoeducation and skills training to support a reduction in distress and increase in wellbeing.
It’s our intersectionality and differences that make the world a beautiful place, I’m inclusive of all genders, cultures and sexual identities. My passion for understanding and improving mental health for everyone is demonstrated in the way I provide collaborative, compassionate, evidence-based therapy to individuals facing a wide range of challenges. My therapeutic style is integrative, drawing from cognitive-behavioural, trauma, and humanistic person-centred, attachment and strengths-based perspectives to personalise treatment plans which meet your unique needs and strengths.
In my practice I collaborate with you to create a safe and supportive environment where you’ll feel heard, validated, and empowered to explore thoughts and emotions. My warm demeanour, empathetic approach, and genuine commitment to clients’ well-being have earned my clients trust and gratitude.
Committed to sharing my expertise with the next generation I supervise students and other professionals providing mentoring and support as they develop their own careers in mental health.
It’s important for clinicians to continue learning and updating their knowledge and I’m committed to ongoing and continuing professional development which includes a continuing interest in research. At the Research and Education Unit for Gendered Violence I worked on a number of projects developing assessment tools for first responders. My research thesis into online mindfulness users’ characteristics and motivation to learn focused on the intersection between mental health challenges and positive psychology.
Outside of professional life, I enjoy hiking, foraging, music, board games, cooking, yoga, comedy, my dogs, being in nature and spending time with others and getting lost in gardens.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Taking the first step to reach out takes courage, and Melissa Stokes offers steady support for people navigating mental health and life challenges. She is credentialed in Australia and brings 25 years of professional experience to her work as a psychologist and an accredited mental health social worker, practising from Psychological Therapy Services in Payneham, Adelaide, and providing therapy online.
Melissa’s clinical background spans a wide range of settings, including domestic violence services, child, adolescent and adult community mental health, youth justice, rape and sexual assault services, hospitals, and both public and private practice. Across these roles she has trained in and uses a range of evidence-based therapies, such as CBT, CPT, DBT, ACT, EFT, IPT, MI and EMDR, together with psychoeducation and skills training to reduce distress and enhance wellbeing.
She is inclusive of all genders, cultures and sexual identities, and delivers collaborative, compassionate, evidence-based therapy for people facing diverse challenges. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing on cognitive-behavioural, trauma-informed, humanistic person-centred, attachment and strengths-based perspectives to tailor treatment to each person’s needs and resources.
In practice Melissa works with clients to create a supportive space where they can explore thoughts and emotions and feel heard, validated and empowered. Her warm demeanour, empathetic manner and commitment to clients’ wellbeing are central to how she relates to people in therapy.
Melissa also contributes to workforce development by supervising students and other professionals, offering mentoring and practical support as they build their careers in mental health. She maintains an ongoing commitment to professional development and research, having worked at the Research and Education Unit for Gendered Violence on projects to develop assessment tools for first responders, and completed a research thesis examining online mindfulness users’ characteristics and motivation to learn at the intersection of mental health challenges and positive psychology.
Outside of her professional life Melissa enjoys hiking, foraging, music, board games, cooking, yoga, comedy, spending time with her dogs, being in nature and getting lost in gardens.
Many people wonder whether remote therapy can truly help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties or navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be as effective as traditional in-person sessions for most people.
One major benefit is flexibility – clients can meet their therapist in the format that suits them best, whether by video call, phone, live chat or in-app messaging. This adaptability can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life.
All therapists are licensed professionals, and clients have the option to change therapists if they prefer a different fit. Online therapy offers accessible ways to receive evidence-based support for many everyday mental health challenges.
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