Melissa Stokes, AASW, AHPRA

Melissa Stokes offers support for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, depression, ADHD and life changes. She also helps those coping with sleep or eating difficulties, career strain, self-esteem problems and concerns linked to ageing and geriatric issues. Melissa is inclusive of all genders and sexual identities and aims to make reaching out less daunting.

She has 25 years of professional experience and holds AASW and AHPRA credentials in Australia. Her work draws on a mix of therapy styles so sessions suit each person's needs. Conversations focus on what feels most helpful for daily life and practical ways to manage distress.

Melissa has worked across many clinical settings including community mental health, sexual assault services, youth justice, hospitals and public and private practice. That background informs how she adapts approaches for different problems and life stages. She also supervises students and other professionals as they develop clinical skills.

Her therapeutic style blends cognitive-behavioural, trauma-informed, attachment and person-centred ideas. You can expect a collaborative approach, skills coaching and psychoeducation to reduce distress and build coping. Goals and techniques are adjusted over time to match progress and changing needs.

Outside work she enjoys hiking, foraging, music, board games, cooking, yoga and time in gardens with her dogs. This personal side feeds her interest in wellbeing and keeps her practice grounded in everyday life.

Therapeutic approaches that translate online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns; it often helps with depression, anxiety and sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relationship patterns and how early connections shape current responses, which can help with trauma, attachment issues and relationship-related distress.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods suit their goals and preferences. That decision is reviewed over time so techniques are tailored as needs change.

Please confirm current session formats before booking, as specific online options are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to keep sessions in a weekly routine, reduce travel time and fit therapy around work or caring responsibilities. It also allows focused skills coaching, shorter check-ins when needed, and continuity of care when life circumstances change. Appropriately qualified professionals adapt these methods so therapy stays practical and relevant to everyday life.