Counsellor profile
Melissa Thompson, PACFA
Australia
PACFA counsellor - anxiety and trauma support
Continue with MelissaWhere Melissa stands
- Credentials
- PACFA
- Registration
- PACFA, Australia / 25997
- Experience
- 14 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Australia
About
- Anxiety and stress
- Trauma and grief
- Codependency concerns
About Melissa
Melissa Thompson is a PACFA counsellor practising in Australia with 14 years of professional experience. She works with people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, motivation, self-esteem and confidence. Melissa writes that she helps clients who want a more fulfilling life and are ready to make change.
Her approach is straightforward and person-focused. She uses methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try different ways of responding. Sessions are a place to talk through feelings and choices without judgement.
Melissa also supports people dealing with addictions, relationship pain, intimacy issues, sleep problems, anger, career stress and depression. She lists a range of related concerns too, including abandonment, attachment issues, codependency and communication difficulties. This makes her useful for people whose struggles cross several areas of life.
In practical terms she works at a pace set by each person. Conversations include noticing thoughts and behaviours, practising new skills and planning small, manageable changes. The focus is on what people want to change and the next concrete steps they can try.
Her 14 years of experience include working through grief, trauma and motivation problems. People who prefer clear explanations, skills to manage strong feelings, and a straightforward plan for change may find this style helpful.
How sessions work
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, low motivation and coping with difficult feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. It can help with anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and can be helpful for intimacy, attachment and codependency concerns.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will discuss different methods and together with the client decide what to try first based on goals and preferences. The plan can be adjusted as progress and needs become clearer, keeping the process collaborative throughout.
The therapist's biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel and allowing shorter check-ins or sessions outside working hours. They also allow use of worksheets, skills practice and real-time problem-solving in everyday settings, which many people find practical when working on boundaries, codependency patterns and managing strong emotions.
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?
Melissa works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem and related concerns such as codependency and relationship problems.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is person-focused and practical, using ACT, CBT and attachment-based ideas to notice patterns and try new responses.
How much experience does she have?
She has 14 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioural concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is registered with PACFA and practises in Australia.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a 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 you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.