Elise

Receptionist/ Practice Manager

As our clinic receptionist, Elise is likely the first person you’ll encounter when you arrive at the clinic.

Elise helps to manage our psychologists’ busy schedules and handle general enquiries. She has an enthusiastic approach to creating wonderful experiences for our clients and resolving issues in a professional manner. 

Melissa Byers (she/her)

General Psychologist

Melissa is the founder and principal psychologist of Connect Psychology Australia.

Melissa is a general psychologist, with experience working with individuals across the lifespan with a special interest in supporting children, adolescents and families.

Melissa has experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults in a range of settings including private practice, regional youth mental health services, outreach programs to primary and secondary schools, and in rehabilitation. She has worked with children from kindergarten years through to adolescence and early adulthood experiencing a range of childhood emotional and developmental challenges and in group behavioural change therapy sessions.

Special Interests:

• working with children, adolescents and teens experiencing social and emotional challenges.

• working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and grief and loss.

Melissa brings her bubbly personality, fresh approach and passion for working with children and families to her practice. Her therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and nurturing. Melissa hopes to create a safe, open, and accepting environment, to work together to understand your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and relational patterns. She uses evidence-based and trauma-informed treatment approaches combined with a client-centered focus to help you to meet your individual needs and therapy goals. 

A child-focused session with Melissa is both fun and educational. She firmly believes in the importance of play and of the learning that occurs for children through a carefully guided playful experience.

Melissa works with children and adolescents (3 years to 16+) through to older adults who are experiencing a wide range of challenges.

Melissa is passionate about expanding the understanding, resources, and strengths of young people in coping and adapting to challenges in their lives.

Feel free to reach out if you would like help with any following, or other related concerns. She'd love to collaborate with you and address them together.

·       Anxiety

·       Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

·       Perfectionism

·      Body dysmorphia and body image concerns

·       Stress

·       Relationship issues

·       Older adults (issues of ageing, grief, loneliness, mild

cognitive impairment, adjustment, etc.)

Therapy Approaches 

• Child-Focussed Play Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Motivational Interviewing

• Interpersonal Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Fees

Here’s the link to our Fees & Rebates, it’s all outlined there for you. Let us know if you have any questions.

Registrations

Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) Psychology Board of Australia (PSY0002630168)

Associate Member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS)

Qualifications

Post-Graduate Diploma (Psychology) - Charles Sturt University

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) - Monash University