About Barwon Counselling & Hypnotherapy | Melbourne Australia
practice manager and Telehealth Therapist
Hi, I'm Melissiah!
I’d love to help you make a positive change in your life. But just before I tell you a bit about my background and why I became a therapist, I invite you to download my free 25 page guide, 'Hypnotic Healing: Harnessing the Power of Clinical Hypnotherapy for Positive Long- Lasting Change '.
This guide will introduce how hypnotherapy ‘clinical hypnosis’ works and dispel some common myths. I also detail conditions that may be helped by hypnotherapy, with links to peer reviewed studies if you're curious to find out more.
My Story...
I've long been fascinated by what makes people tick. My curiosity began back in the 1980s when I first attended La Trobe University, studying psychology as a minor. After graduating with qualifications in music, I spent time as a piano bar entertainer before eventually becoming a music teacher. Along the way, I gained further qualifications in classical singing, and I was required to perform in five different languages for my diploma.
As my teaching career progressed, I found myself more and more drawn to understanding the way we think, feel, learn, and behave—not just in music, but in life. Working as a vocal coach, I noticed how some students thrived under pressure, while others struggled with stage fright. This sparked a deeper curiosity in me, and I was drawn back to studying various therapeutic approaches to better understand how we can reach our potential and overcome life's challenges.
Since then, I've gained qualifications in several areas, including an honours degree in Psychological Science from Deakin University. Presently, I'm completing a Master of Professional Psychology to further expand my knowledge and build my expertise. This journey has allowed me to combine my knowledge of psychology, neuroscience, and the arts to offer clients a comprehensive and evidence-based therapeutic experience.
In addition to working with clients one-on-one, I've long been passionate about using technology to make mental health support more accessible. Back in 2005, I released my first self-help hypnotherapy CD, "Absolute Singing Confidence," designed to help singers overcome performance anxiety. The CDs global reach enabled me to support clients who would never have had the opportunity to work with me face-to-face.
Today, I offer telehealth services, providing clients with the convenience and privacy of remote sessions. I'm also committed to making mental health resources affordable and accessible through my free psychoeducational materials and low-cost downloads. These resources help empower individuals to prioritize their mental well-being and work on their mental health at their own pace and on their own terms.
My areas of Interest...
As a therapist, my key areas of interest are sleep psychology and religious trauma.
Sleep Psychology
Sleep disorders are now recognized as distinct mental health conditions that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. A sleep disorder can exist alongside other conditions such as anxiety or depression. My work in this domain involves:• Assessing for the presence of sleep disorders.• Developing personalized treatment plans to address sleep disturbances.• Educating clients about the importance of sleep hygiene• Addressing the underlying factors that may contribute to sleep problems.
Religious Trauma
Stemming from negative experiences within religious institutions or communities, religious trauma can have a profound impact on individuals' mental health. My work in this area involves:• Providing a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their experiences, process their emotions, and overcome trauma
• Supporting clients in establishing healthy relationships outside of their religious communities.• Facilitating the exploration of alternative perspectives or a detachment from religion altogether.• Addressing the intersection of religious trauma and other mental health conditions.
In addition to these areas, I also see clients for a range of other mental health issues, including anxiety and stress, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma and PTSD, major life transitions, and grief and loss. Please note that I only work with adults aged 18 and over.
My qualifications...
- Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours (majoring in Child and Family)
- Diploma of Clinical Hypnotic Science
- Graduate Diploma of Music
- Associate Trinity College London (voice)
- Essential Practitioner NLP
- Rewind Technique Practitioner (PTSD treatment)
- Diploma of Counselling (in completion)
Certificates
- Certificate IV Small Business Management
- Certficate in Logical and Critical Thinking (University of Aukland)
- Certificate of Completion Students Helping Students, Foundation Training - Basic (Deakin University)
- Certificate of Completion Human Research Ethics Training
My Philosophy...
As a strong advocate for Carl Rogers' person-centered approach, I believe in fostering a therapeutic relationship that promotes self-esteem, authenticity, and actualization. By helping clients tap into their inherent strengths and potential, I support meaningful and lasting growth.
With training in psychology, counselling, hypnotherapy, and NLP, I bring a unique and well-rounded perspective to therapy. These different modalities complement each other, allowing me to guide you in ways that can help you unlock new insights, release any maladaptive beliefs, and shift behaviours that no longer serve you.
Beyond my training, my approach is shaped by my own experiences with mental health. While working as a piano bar entertainer, I often spent long stretches away from home, both interstate and overseas. This led to intense feelings of loneliness and homesickness, as the era of mobile phones and the internet was only in its early days. And despite the excitement and glamour of my career, the disruption to my sleep routine (yes, musicians are shift workers) further exacerbated feelings of stress and isolation.
Driven by a desire to turn my personal struggles into something positive, my experiences as a musician facing the demands of shift work led to further study in sleep psychology. I developed a comprehensive understanding of the impact that disrupted sleep can have on both physical and mental well-being, and treatment protocols that can help restore sleep quantity and quality. Additionally, my years as a music teacher have instilled in me the importance of intrinsic motivation as a key factor in facilitating change and growth. This understanding informs my therapeutic approach, and I have found that motivational interviewing can be a valuable tool to help clients achieve their goals. My approach also includes personalized strategies to prevent lapse or relapse, ensuring that clients have the resources and support they need to achieve lasting results. As your therapist, I will look beyond the surface of your concerns and identify factors that may be making you more vulnerable or keeping the issue ongoing. Equally important is recognizing your strengths, skills, and abilities, which play a key role in planning for your recovery. We will also explore practical strategies and exercises that you can practice between sessions to reinforce the therapeutic work we do together.
I invite you to book your free 30-minute consultation with me today. We'll discuss how we can work together to overcome your challenges and achieve your desired outcomes, whether they relate to stress, anxiety, sleep, or other mental health concerns.
With training in psychology, counselling, hypnotherapy, and NLP, I bring a unique and well-rounded perspective to therapy. These different modalities complement each other, allowing me to guide you in ways that can help you unlock new insights, release any maladaptive beliefs, and shift behaviours that no longer serve you.
Beyond my training, my approach is shaped by my own experiences with mental health. While working as a piano bar entertainer, I often spent long stretches away from home, both interstate and overseas. This led to intense feelings of loneliness and homesickness, as the era of mobile phones and the internet was only in its early days. And despite the excitement and glamour of my career, the disruption to my sleep routine (yes, musicians are shift workers) further exacerbated feelings of stress and isolation.
Driven by a desire to turn my personal struggles into something positive, my experiences as a musician facing the demands of shift work led to further study in sleep psychology. I developed a comprehensive understanding of the impact that disrupted sleep can have on both physical and mental well-being, and treatment protocols that can help restore sleep quantity and quality. Additionally, my years as a music teacher have instilled in me the importance of intrinsic motivation as a key factor in facilitating change and growth. This understanding informs my therapeutic approach, and I have found that motivational interviewing can be a valuable tool to help clients achieve their goals. My approach also includes personalized strategies to prevent lapse or relapse, ensuring that clients have the resources and support they need to achieve lasting results. As your therapist, I will look beyond the surface of your concerns and identify factors that may be making you more vulnerable or keeping the issue ongoing. Equally important is recognizing your strengths, skills, and abilities, which play a key role in planning for your recovery. We will also explore practical strategies and exercises that you can practice between sessions to reinforce the therapeutic work we do together.
I invite you to book your free 30-minute consultation with me today. We'll discuss how we can work together to overcome your challenges and achieve your desired outcomes, whether they relate to stress, anxiety, sleep, or other mental health concerns.
Exclusion criteria: This clinic is not equipped to see clients under the age of 18 or individuals with personality disorders, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder (including alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit drugs), or psychotic disorders.
Hypnotherapy Training Australia recommended therapist
