About Me

The way I work

I am a Clinical Psychologist working in Flemington Victoria.  I strive to provide a safe and comfortable space that people can spend time in, working through whatever it is that brought them to counselling.  I see my role as walking alongside and helping people to navigate this, often difficult, terrain.  I maintain a warm, genuine and respectful approach that incorporates the whole person, rather than viewing clients solely as a diagnosis.  I incorporate techniques from a number of different therapeutic domains to tailor the sessions to my client's individual needs, these include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (mindfulness) and Neuropsychotherapy.  Each person develops their own goals for therapy, but broadly we work towards developing a deeper understanding of ourselves, a different relationship with our thoughts and feelings, and improving self-acceptance. 

Work Experience

I have 15 years of counselling experience in a variety of roles and organisations. During my training, as a probationary psychologist, I worked at Thomas Embling Hospital - a facility for mentally ill prisoners,  Odyssey House - a residential drug treatment facility, and Malmsbury Juvenile Justice centre - a residential Youth Training Centre for offenders aged 16yo-21yo.  Later I spent 18 months working for a drug diversion program in the Magistrates court, providing assessment, treatment planing, and reporting to the court.

In 2005 I moved in to a position with Victoria Police, providing in-house counselling and organisational support.  I held a few positions there over five years with a variety of roles and responsibilities including assisting in the development of an Alcohol and Other Drug treatment program.

I have been working in private practice since 2009, initially in a small group practice, and then on my own in Flemington since 2014.  I've seen a wide variety of clients, predominantly adults and young adults with varying backgrounds and presenting issues.  A portion of my work is with members of the Defence Forces referred for counselling and support for matters ranging from trauma, depression and anxiety to relationship problems, adjustment difficulties and parenting worries. 

Since leaving Victoria Police for Private Practice work, I've also been involved with Monash University research teams.  The Children’s Recovery Project team - providing screening and assessment services to children of families affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. The Refugee treatment team - providing and evaluating psychological therapy with children of refugee families who had been affected by trauma. The Gambling treatment evaluation study - where I provided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to participants who identified as problem gamblers.

Area's of Interest

I work with a variety of people facing different difficulties and challenges.  Over the years I have developed a particular interest in a few areas including but not limited to, trauma (PTSD, sexual assault, primary and secondary trauma experienced by emergency service workers), issues of sexual identity, managing chronic pain, sleep problems, managing and recovering from bullying in the workplace, relationship problems , managing depression and anxiety disorders particularly social anxiety, health anxiety and panic.



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 This is a photo of Melissa Glenwright Clinical Psychologist working in Flemington

Professional Qualifications

  • Doctor of Psychology (Forensic)
  • Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology
  • Graduate Diploma in Criminology
  • Bachelor of Science 
  • Department of Human Services recognised qualifications for the provision of Alcohol and Other Drug services.
  • Professional Development training specialising in: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - a mindfulness based therapy, Neuropsychotherapy - using what we know about the brain and neuroplasticity to inform the treatment approach, managing pain, treatment of sleep disorders and parasomnia's and treating trauma (PTSD, recovering from sexual assault, managing critical incident stress, Acute stress disorder, psychological first aid, safety in trauma treatment).


Registrations

I am registered with:
  • The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), recognised as qualified in Clinical Psychology.
  • Medicare -  I can provide services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative and DVA.
  • Worksafe
  • Victims of crime
  • TAC
  • Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
  • ​Member of the APS special interest group for Military and Emergency Services Psychology
  • Certified Member of the International Association of Clinical Neuropsychotherapy 
Dr Melissa Glenwright, Clinical Psychologist, 8/21 Shields Street Flemington