Melissa Stokes, AASW, AHPRA

Melissa Stokes brings 25 years of clinical experience to her work as a psychologist and accredited mental health social worker, supporting people through a wide range of life and mental health challenges. She practices from Psychological Therapy Services in Payneham, Adelaide and also offers online appointments, combining a compassionate, evidence-informed approach with practical skills training to reduce distress and strengthen wellbeing.

Her background spans many clinical settings including domestic violence services, child, adolescent and adult community mental health, youth justice, rape and sexual assault services, hospitals, and both public and private practice. Over her career she has trained in and used a range of evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Melissa practices inclusively with respect for gender, cultural and sexual diversity and integrates cognitive-behavioural, trauma-informed, humanistic person-centered, attachment and strengths-based perspectives to tailor treatment plans to each individual. She holds credentials with the Australian Association of Social Workers, AASW, and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, AHPRA, which are recognised professional bodies in Australia.

She also supervises students and other professionals, contributing to training and mentoring in the mental health field, and has been involved in research projects including work at the Research and Education Unit for Gendered Violence and a thesis exploring online mindfulness users. Outside of clinical work she enjoys hiking, foraging, music, board games, cooking, yoga, comedy, her dogs, being in nature and spending time in gardens.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Melissa uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based approaches alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients work through difficulties in everyday life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, focuses on clarifying personal values and building psychological flexibility so people can take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns, helping people improve connections, manage relationship stress, and address issues such as abandonment and attachment concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, is a practical, skills-focused approach that identifies unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaches strategies to reduce anxiety, depression, sleep problems and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. Melissa collaborates with each person to tailor techniques and select the methods that best match their needs, goals and preferences, making adjustments as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Melissa is offered by video call, phone session, live chat or text-based messaging, giving flexible options to fit work, family and geographic constraints. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from home or elsewhere, maintain continuity of care during life transitions, and use therapy in ways that suit each person’s schedule and communication style.