Practitioners: Melanie Sutherland

Clinically Trained Psychologist

Qualifications & Experience
Master of Arts (Psychology)
Master of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
Graduate Diploma in Young People’s Mental Health
Member of the Australian Psychological Society
Associate Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists

Melanie is a clinically trained Psychologist. She has over fifteen years experience working in the public health sector, seven as a Senior Psychologist, and is a highly skilled clinician in the areas of mental health, addiction and dual diagnosis. Melanie has significant experience treating adolescents and adults, both individually and in a variety of group programmes. She has also facilitated numerous training events and mentored clinicians in addressing dual diagnosis issues with their clients.

Melanie is endorsed to provide services under Medicare, and her sessions attract a rebate (see eligibility information below).

Approaches to Therapy
Melanie has both extensive training and experience in her preferred therapeutic approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing.

CBT is a goal oriented and solution focused method that addresses unhelpful or dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to bring about change. CBT is well researched and effective in the treatment of a range of issues, including depression, and anxiety.

Motivational Interviewing is a client-centred counselling approach for bringing about behaviour change by helping clients to explore and resolve their ambivalence about a particular issue. The application of Motivational Interviewing techniques has been useful in the areas of mental health and addiction.

Areas of Special Interest
Melanie is particularly interested in working with clients, both male and female, who are experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression/stress and parenting issues. In addition to having trained and worked in this specialised area, she is eligible to provide Pregnancy Support Counselling services under Medicare.
Melanie also has a special interest in working with adolescents. She has had considerable experience treating young people across a range of settings, with issues related to development, adjustment, mental health and substance use.
Additionally, Melanie is skilful working in the areas of addiction, mental health (depression & anxiety), grief & loss, life transition and adjustment issues, relationship and interpersonal challenges, and personal development.

Other Professional Commitments
Melanie is the co-founder/director of Therapeutic Alliance Counselling, a Psychology Practice providing psychological services to clients living/working in the Northern region of Melbourne.

Melanie is also the co-founder/director of the Northcote Mental Health Professionals Network. This group provides an opportunity for ongoing local interdisciplinary mental health networking. By working together, mental health professions are able to enhance their response to clients and improve outcomes.

Referrals & Fees
Referrals are accepted from self-referring individuals, as well as from health professionals such as GPs, Psychiatrists, and Maternal and Child Health Nurses, etc. 

Medicare rebates are available for clients referred for treatment by their GP.

Fees are paid in full at the end of each session, and a receipt is provided which will allow you to obtain your refund at any Medicare office.

Fee:
50 minute session $120                

Medicare Rebate:
Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative (Psychology)            $81.60
Pregnancy Support Counselling                                                   $59.85

Bookings & Enquiries
Phone:   (03) 9482 1888
Email:     thallco@hotmail.com

Reception hours are 10 am – 3 pm Monday to Saturday.
An answering service operates outside of reception hours.