Melissa Collins BPsych(Hons), MPsych(Clin)
Registered Psychologist | Clinical Registrar

Melissa Collins is a Psychologist whose practice is grounded in Psychodynamic Therapy and attachment-informed principles. She works with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, older adults, couples, and families, approaching each person as unique with their own history, relational patterns, and particular way of navigating the world. In addition to this wide breadth of experience and respectful way of working with clients she is busy working towards obtaining her endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist, 

Melissa’s therapeutic approach explores how early relationships, developmental experiences, and relational patterns shape your current emotions, behaviours, and difficulties. She integrates family systems concepts, contemporary trauma frameworks, and evidence-based psychological strategies to work not only on relieving symptoms, but on developing deeper emotional insight and meaningful, lasting change.

Before training as a Psychologist, Melissa spent many years working in broadcasting, current affairs research and content writing. In addition to this she has many years of experience in crisis and disaster support roles. These experiences shaped her ability to listen deeply, hold complexity with care, and appreciate the resilience that defines people’s lives. They also inform her belief in the courage it takes to seek help, and her commitment to offering a therapeutic space where clients feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood.

Melissa holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) from the University of Queensland. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), an Associate Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and a Disaster Response Network Psychologist. She continues to undertake advanced training in psychodynamic therapy, trauma, neurodevelopment, and lifespan mental health.

Her work is informed by a broad range of evidence-based approaches including Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Melissa’s areas of clinical interest include:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Trauma, complex trauma and attachment difficulties
  • Relationship difficulties and relational patterns
  • Life transitions and identity
  • Cognitive and educational assessments
  • Child and adolescent mental health
  • Parenting support and family relationships
  • Grief and loss
  • Adult survivors of childhood trauma
  • Alcohol and Drug addiction

The experience of family members of those with addiction or mental health concerns

Across all stages of life, Melissa’s work is centred on warmth, integrity, and collaboration. She sees therapy as a shared process, one that helps people understand and accept themselves more deeply, shift long-standing patterns, and reconnect with a grounded, self-compassion-focused, authentic sense of self.

Melissa works in person as a South Melbourne based Psychologist at The Melbourne Centre of Psychotherapy.

Melissa works on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

She has availability for new patients.

 

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