About Me
The way I workI am a Clinical Psychologist working in Moonee Ponds 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 ExperienceI have 18 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 assisting members with a variety of issues from trauma, depression and anxiety to relationship problems, adjustment difficulties and parenting worries. I also provided organisational support, including psychoeducation, recruitment, psychological screening, and well-being program development. I held a few positions at Victoria Police 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 and then Moonee Ponds since 2014. I've seen a wide variety of clients, predominantly adults and young adults with varying backgrounds and presenting issues. 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. Areas of Special InterestI continue to work with a variety of people facing different difficulties and challenges including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, issues of sexual identity, and relationship problems. However, over the years I have developed a particular interest in health psychology, in particular supporting people to manage chronic pain conditions. I've found Pain Psychology to be an interesting a rewarding arena. If you'd like to know more go to the Pain Management subpage on my website.
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Professional Qualifications
RegistrationsI am registered with:
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Dr Melissa Glenwright, Clinical Psychologist, Suite 39, level 2, 5 Everage Street Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
