Melissa Stokes, AASW, AHPRA

Melissa Stokes is a psychologist and an AASW accredited social worker registered with AHPRA. She has practised in Australia for 25 years. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD and codependency-related patterns.

Melissa draws on several evidence-informed approaches to help people who keep putting others first or feel overwhelmed by other people’s needs. She uses straightforward skills training, practical strategies and talking-through difficult memories. Sessions are collaborative and focus on small steps that fit into everyday life.

Her background spans hospitals, community mental health, youth justice, sexual assault services and both public and private practice. That mix means she is used to working with people affected by trauma, relationship losses, caregiving strain and complex life changes. She also brings experience supporting LGBT clients and people dealing with body image and eating or sleeping problems.

Therapeutic work often includes cognitive-behavioural techniques, acceptance and commitment work, attachment-informed conversations and emotion regulation skills. Melissa also uses psychoeducation and practical coaching to reduce distress and build coping skills. She adapts these methods to each person’s situation rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

She supervises students and other clinicians and keeps involved in research and professional development. Outside work she spends time hiking, foraging, cooking, playing board games and walking her dogs.

How Melissa uses evidence-based approaches online