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Counselling in Melbourne CBD

Specializing in sleep & stress management
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or call 0425 834 528
Private, Convenient, & Accessible Telehealth Therapy | Australia-Wide

Struggling with insomnia? My evidence-based program can help you reclaim deep, restorative sleep - even when stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma stand in the way.

An estimated two-thirds of Australian adults experience sleep difficulties, and a staggering 15% suffer from chronic insomnia. Although sleep problems are common and can be debilitating, most sufferers don’t seek professional help - often unaware that scientifically-proven treatments exist.* If you're fed up with sleepless nights, drained by stress, or desperate for relief, I offer professional counselling in Melbourne and other therapeutic modalities to help you sleep better, feel better, and take back control of your life.
I invite you to book a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL consultation with me. Let's chat and take the first step toward a more balanced and restful you.
Yes, book me in!
Melissiah, Telehealth Therapist Barwon Counselling and Hypnotherapy Melbourne
Qualifications & credentials:➕ Master of Professional Psychology➕ Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons), Major in Child & Family➕ Diploma of Counselling➕ Diploma of Clinical Hypnotic Science➕ Certified Rewind Technique Practitioner (PTSD)➕ NLP Essential Practitioner➕ Member AAPi, CPCA, IICT ➕ AHPRA registered**

Finding the Right Melbourne Counsellor: Am I a Good Match for You?

Choosing a therapist is about finding someone you connect with. That’s why I offer a free 20-minute consultation to potential clients. This gives you the chance to share your problems, understand my approach, and most importantly, see if we ‘click’ before committing to therapy.
The initial questions I have about you will be answered when you book through Calendly, so we can use our time together to focus on what really matters—your needs and how I can help.
What you can expect in your initial consultation:
  • Non-judgmental support and validation for your immediate issues.
  • Clarity on your goals and what you hope to achieve in therapy, both short-term and long-term.
  • An overview of my approach and how it may help you make meaningful progress.
Schedule Your Time
*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021). Sleep problems as a risk factor for chronic conditions. Sleep Health Foundation. (2019). Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Australia. **Disclaimer: I am a professional in counselling and hypnotherapy. However, I do not practice as a psychologist at Barwon Counselling and Hypnotherapy. I have provisional registration, which permits me to be referred to as a 'provisional psychologist' during supervised practice.

Step-by-Step Support for Your Mental Health & Wellbeing

Free Consultation
Connect with a compassionate therapist to discuss your concerns, needs, and goals
SCHEDULE
Choose a treatment option that fits your personal needs and suits your budget
ASSESSMENT
Start your therapy with a comprehensive assessment to enable personalized treatment
TREATMENT PLAN
Engage in a tailored treatment plan to help you feel better and reach your wellbeing goals

Access Tailored Therapy to Help You Sleep, Heal, & Thrive

Insomnia TREATMENT
Struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling exhausted? Sleep problems can significantly affect your mental health, energy levels, and overall well-being. I use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) supplemented with hypnotherapy to help you reprogram unhelpful sleep patterns, reduce nighttime overthinking, and restore natural, restful sleep. Learn more →
Help for Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression can be overwhelming, making everyday life feel exhausting. Whether you experience constant worry, panic attacks, low motivation, or emotional numbness, I can help. Through a tailored approach using evidence-based methods, we can work together to manage symptoms, restructure unhelpful thought patterns, improve your mood and ability to cope, and build a more happy and fulfilling life. Learn more →
Trauma & PTSD Treatment
Trauma can leave lasting emotional and physical imprints, affecting your relationships, mood, sleep, and sense of safety. I use evidence-based approaches, including the Rewind Technique, an alternative to EMDR, to help you process trauma safely and regain a sense of control. This innovative treatment empowers you to heal and move forward without the need to discuss your painful or distressing memories. Learn more →

Private, Independent Counselling in Melbourne

In Australia, there are two main pathways for accessing mental health support — one through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) via a GP referral, and the other privately. Many people prefer the private route for greater flexibility, discretion, and the ability to choose a therapist who aligns with their needs. My services offer a confidential, self-directed alternative to system-based care, drawing on evidence-based approaches shaped by my training in psychology, counselling, NLP, and clinical hypnotherapy, and fully customised to you.
Counselling fee per session

$150

Access professional support without a doctor's referral, long waitlists, or a yearly limit of 10 sessions through a a MHCP.
Hypnotherapy fee per session

$250

Includes a high-quality, personalized downloadable hypnosis recording with soothing backing music, for home use.
VOCAT / Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
If you a victim of a violent crime in Victoria who is eligible for crimes compensation, VOCAT (FAS) funding for counselling expenses will be discussed in your initial consultation.
ndis
If you a self-managed NDIS participant with 'Improved Daily Living' in your NDIS plan, funding for counselling expenses will be discussed in your initial consultation.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Your counselling sessions are not included in My Health Record, ensuring that your therapy remains private and separate from your medical records. This may help reduce concerns about access by other healthcare providers or insurers. However, if you would like your doctor to be informed about your treatment, a letter can be provided upon request.

how severe is your insomnia? Take this quick test to find out

The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a 7-question assessment that measures the severity of your sleep difficulties and their impact on your daily life. This simple quiz is a scientifically-validated tool which can give you insight into your sleep patterns and whether professional support may be beneficial. Get your results instantly.
Take the Sleep Quiz

Why Choose Telehealth?

  • Accessible – Ideal if you have mobility issues or caregiving responsibilities.
  • Convenient – Connect from anywhere with a stable internet connection.
  • Effective – Research shows that telehealth therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions.
  • Supportive – Being in a familiar environment may be preferable if you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or sleep-related fatigue.
  • Hassle-Free – No need to worry about transport costs, dealing with traffic, or parking issues.
Barwon Counselling and Hypnotherapy is privately operated mental health service based in Melbourne providing telehealth Australia-wide.

What if I can't afford therapy?

I understand that one-on-one therapy isn't affordable for everyone, and I truly don’t want cost to be a barrier to getting the help you deserve. That's why Barwon Counselling and Hypnotherapy has partnered with Uncommon Knowledge, a trusted provider of low-cost hypnosis downloads for treating insomnia, anxiety, depression, and much more. To date, well over a million people have benefited from these hypnosis downloads. To ensure you feel comfortable giving these hypnotherapy downloads a try, your purchases are covered by a no-questions-asked 90-day money-back guarantee.
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