Hello And Welcome!

Hi, I'm Mel. I'm an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and founder of Anxiety & Wellness Clinic.

I have over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field. Alongside my professional experience, my lived experience of anxiety has also played an important role in shaping the way I understand and support mental health and wellbeing.

I specialise in supporting adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, burnout, panic, intrusive thoughts, nervous system dysregulation, and trauma-related concerns.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and holistic. I view therapy as a partnership, combining my professional knowledge of mental health, the brain, body, and nervous system with your knowledge of yourself, your experiences, strengths, values, and goals. Together, we will work to better understand your experiences, explore the factors influencing your wellbeing, and develop practical tools and strategies that support meaningful and sustainable change.

My hope is that therapy leaves you with a greater sense of self-understanding, confidence, and self-trust, along with the knowledge and skills needed to support your wellbeing long after our work together ends.

What Shaped My Approach

My approach has been shaped by my work in the mental health field, alongside my own lived experience of anxiety.

In my early twenties, I experienced several periods of acute anxiety that had a significant impact on my daily life and wellbeing. These experiences, alongside my own recovery journey, deepened my understanding of mental health and gave me a profound appreciation for the many factors that influence our wellbeing, as well as the importance of having access to the right support, information, and tools.

I've always been naturally curious and drawn to understanding the "why" behind things. My experiences also fostered a deep interest in understanding human behaviour and mental health through the lenses of psychology, neurobiology, and the nervous system.

One of the most important things I have learned is that many of the challenges we experience begin to make sense when we consider the broader context in which they occur and the factors that influence them. Our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical responses are shaped by a complex interaction of biology, physical health, relationships, life experiences, and the environments in which we live.

Through this lens, many of the experiences we struggle with can be understood not as signs that something is wrong with us, but as protective responses that developed for a reason, even when they may no longer be serving us in the present.

This understanding continues to shape the way I work today. Rather than viewing symptoms in isolation, I believe in taking the time to understand the bigger picture of a person's experiences, strengths, challenges, and circumstances. I have found that when people begin to understand their experiences within this broader context, it often fosters greater self-compassion and creates opportunities for meaningful and sustainable change.

Professional Background

I'm an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting adolescents and adults across a range of mental health settings.

I graduated from the University of South Australia in 2015 with a double degree in Social Work and International Relations. Since graduating, I have worked exclusively within the mental health field across a range of settings, including community mental health, acute mental health services, non-government organisations, and private organisations.

In 2020, I became an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and a recognised Medicare provider. In 2023, I established Anxiety & Wellness Clinic to create a space where I could provide personalised, holistic, and evidence-based support.

My work is informed by a range of evidence-based approaches, and I have undertaken training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed practice, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I also have a particular interest in neurobiology, nervous system functioning, and Polyvagal-informed approaches, which continue to shape the way I understand and support people.

I am committed to ongoing professional development and continue to deepen my knowledge through formal training and continuing education, particularly in the areas of trauma, neurobiology, nervous system functioning, and EMDR. To further develop my skills in these areas, I have undertaken additional training, including the Three-Phased Approach to Trauma Therapy (Safety & Stabilisation and Processing & Integration) and EMDR training through EMDR Therapy Training Australia, an EMDRAA-accredited training provider. I have completed EMDR Level 1 (Introduction) and have EMDR Level 2 training and consultation hours scheduled for completion in 2026.

My Values

Genuine Connection & Authenticity

A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important foundations for meaningful change. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, heard, understood, and accepted. I strive to build relationships grounded in trust, respect, and genuine care.

While therapy is informed by professional knowledge and evidence-based practice, I also believe it should feel warm, authentic, and human. I aim to show up as a real person, creating a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself too.

Compassion & Non-Judgement

My aim is to create a warm, supportive, and non-judgemental space where you feel safe to explore your experiences openly and honestly. I strive to build relationships grounded in trust, respect, and acceptance, free from criticism, judgement, or shame.

I recognise that everyone brings a unique set of experiences, challenges, strengths, and circumstances into therapy. My goal is to meet you where you are, supporting you with compassion, understanding, and acceptance throughout the therapeutic process.

Collaboration & Partnership

Therapy is most effective when it feels like a genuine partnership. While I bring professional knowledge and experience, you are the expert in your own life. By combining these perspectives, we can better understand your experiences, identify what is important to you and explore approaches that support your goals.

My aim is for you to feel heard, respected, and actively involved throughout the therapeutic process, with space to provide feedback, ask questions, and shape the direction of our work together.

Hope & Empowerment

I believe meaningful and sustainable change is possible. Even during difficult periods of life, people have the capacity to learn, grow, heal, and move towards greater wellbeing.

My hope is that therapy helps people develop greater self-understanding, confidence, and self-trust, along with the knowledge and skills needed to support their mental health and wellbeing long after our work together ends.

A Little More About Me

Alongside my work, I am a mum to two young daughters and love spending time with my girls, partner, family, and friends. I enjoy any excuse to be outdoors and particularly enjoy road trips, camping, hiking, and travelling. I have been fortunate to live in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Vietnam, experiences that have broadened my perspective and appreciation for different people, cultures, and ways of life.

I also love cooking, sharing good food with the people I care about, playing board games, staying active, and curling up with a good fantasy or sci-fi novel in front of the fireplace.

The Anxiety and Wellness Clinic acknowledges the Kaurna people as the custodians of the lands and waters of the Adelaide region. We pay respect to elders past, present, and emerging. We acknowledge and respect the Kaurna people’s emotional, physical, and spiritual connection with their country and communities.  

The Anxiety and Wellness Clinic also celebrates diversity in our community and aims to provide an inclusive space for the LGBTQA+ and Intersex community. We also strive to offer a disability-friendly service.