Melissa is a great therapist, she listens really well, notices main concerns and helps through them. I would recommend her strongly as someone who will always listen.
Melissa Stokes, AASW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 1 review
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Australia
Recent reviews
More about Melissa
- 25 years' experience
- Female
- AASW
Taking the first step to reach out takes courage. I'm here to support you through the process of navigating mental health and life challenges.
I'm a dedicated mental health clinician credentialed in Australia with 25 years of professional work experience. As a mental health clinician, I have worked in various clinical settings, including domestic violence, child adolescent and adult community mental health, youth justice, rape and sexual assault, hospitals, public and private practice. In these settings I have been trained in and use a range of evidenced based therapies including CBT, CPT, DBT, ACT, EFT, IPT, MI, Trauma focussed, EMDR, Mindfulness and use a range of psychoeducation and skills training to support a reduction in distress and increase in wellbeing.
My passion for understanding and improving mental health is demonstrated in the way I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy to individuals facing a wide range of psychological challenges. My therapeutic style is eclectic and integrative, drawing from cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and humanistic person-centred, attachment and strengths-based perspectives to personalise treatment plans which meet your unique needs and strengths.
In my practice I work to create a safe and supportive environment where you'll feel heard, validated, and empowered to explore thoughts and emotions. My warm demeanour, empathetic approach, and genuine commitment to clients' well-being have earned my clients trust and gratitude.
Committed to sharing my expertise with the next generation I supervise students and early career professionals providing mentoring and support as they develop their own careers in mental health.
It's important for clinicians to continue learning and updating their knowledge and I'm committed to ongoing and continuing professional development which includes a continuing interest in research. At the Research and Education Unit for Gendered Violence I worked on a number of projects developing assessment tools for first responders. My research thesis into online mindfulness users’ characteristics and motivation to learn focused on the intersection between mental health challenges and positive psychology.
Outside of professional life, I enjoy hiking, foraging, music, board games, cooking, yoga, being in nature and spending time with others and getting lost in gardens.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
LGBT
Trauma and abuse
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Grief
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Depression
ADHD
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Attachment issues
Blended family issues
Body image
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Family of origin issues
Family problems
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Personality disorders
Phobias
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Trichotillomania
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
- AASW · Australia · 458598 · Expires June 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Melissa Stokes
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Melissa is a great therapist, she listens really well, notices main concerns and helps through them. I would recommend her strongly as someone who will always listen.
Frequently asked questions
Does Melissa Stokes offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Melissa Stokes works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Melissa Stokes speak?
Melissa Stokes speaks English.
How many years of experience does Melissa Stokes have?
Melissa Stokes has 25 years of experience.
Where is Melissa Stokes licensed to practice?
Melissa Stokes is licensed to practice in Australia.
Does Melissa Stokes accept clients outside of Australia?
No, Melissa Stokes does not accept clients outside of Australia.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Melissa Stokes offer?
Melissa Stokes offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Melissa Stokes?
Melissa Stokes can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Melissa Stokes?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.