About Thriving Minds Psychology

Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: B Psych, Assoc MAPS

Melissa Johnson, is an experienced clinician and the director of Thriving Minds Psychology Clinic. As a practicing psychologist for over a decade she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Neuroplasticity research. Melissa has time and time again helped clients to grow, develop, and learn to enjoy their life now and strive toward a fulfilling life

Melissa helps clients become aware of their belief systems, unhelpful cognitive strategies and behaviours while creating new ways of thinking and behaviour. This creates new neural pathways which facilitates long term change.

Melissa works with adults and busy professionals experiencing chronic stress and anxiety, burnout and struggling to establish the elusive work life harmony. Her other special interest area is working with families in the perinatal period who are trying to conceive, progressing through pregnancy and adjusting to  a new born baby.

She is passionate about using her skills and experience to educate and inspire and create long term change both in therapy and as a writer and keynote speaker.

Special Interest Areas:

Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: Ba Psych.Science

Nikki is an experienced clinician and has a particular interest in treating anxiety, depression, low self esteem, lack of self worth and  difficulties in relationship dynamics. 

She has a warm and engaging interactive style and prides herself on establishing excellent rapport with her clients. Nikki utilises Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and helps her clients understand the origins of behaviour and emotions and break free from recurring unhelpful life patterns.

Special Interest Areas:

Adolescent, Young Adult and Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: B.Psych (Hons)

Marie is a recent graduate from USC. For her honours, she studied the impact of facial injectables and social media on young women’s body image, which is in the works to be published.

Marie has a special interest in relationships and couples counselling, along with body image issues, and general stress, depression, and anxiety. She is particularly interested in working with older teens and young adults (15-35) to help them find their place in the world and navigate the changes and challenges facing them, such as career pathways, handling the stress of school or university, self-esteem and dating. Marie has an interest in how lifestyle choices – such as diet, exercise, and pets – can impact mental health. She is also familiar with high functioning ASD, and how that can affect the necessary coping mechanisms that the client may require.

Marie is a member of the APS, and a recent graduate from USC. Marie loves spending her free time gardening, painting, cooking, and spending time with her dog.

Marie has experience working under the CBT framework. She is continuously expanding her repertoire. Specifically, she is working on expanding her knowledge of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Schema therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She’s also training a therapy dog, who will be ready to come to work soon, so she can offer animal assisted therapy.

Special Interest Areas:

Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychologist

Qualifications: B.A.Psych.Science(Hons)

Melissa has a keen interest in working with clients across the lifespan to help manage the difficulties associated with a broad range of mental health challenges such as difficulties at work, home, school, lifestyle choices, relationships, and/or unhelpful thinking styles. She is particularly passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults aged 6yrs +

Melissa is interested in Neuroplasticity, Early Intervention and Developmental Trauma. She mainly uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Melissa is a registered Provisional Psychologist and Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). She has worked in government organisations as well as in private practices and has experience working with complex client presentations and comorbid disorders.

Melissa has a caring and supportive nature aimed at helping her clients to get their life back on track, replace unhelpful thinking styles or behaviour patterns and develop healthier relationships. She endeavours to deliver evidence-based Person-Centred and Solution-Focused approaches that are collaborative, holistic, creative, and tailored to each client.

Special Interest Areas:

Across the lifespan – Adult and Senior Adult Focus

Qualifications: BSci(psych), BSocSc(Psych)(Hons), MProfPsych

Katrina endeavours to bring warmth and understanding to her practice by creating a safe place for people to share their concerns and difficulties. Katrina uses evidence-based therapies which are considered based on the individual concerns of the client, to collaboratively help explore difficult thoughts and emotions, identify client strengths and to create helpful strategies to assist in improving mental health and wellbeing.

Katrina is a registered Provisional Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and student member of the Australian Psychological Services (APS) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI).

Special Interest Areas:

Samantha

SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER

She loves helping people, hearing different stories from clients and building connections with everyone she speaks to.