Our Psychology Services
Adult ADHD Assessments
Anxiety Counselling
Depression Treatment
Relationship Therapy
Workshops
Hypnosis
Let Us Help You on Your Path to Positive Change and Wellbeing
How Can We Help?
If you’re going through a lot lately, juggling personal struggles and responsibilities at home and at work, finding a psychologist in Richmond can be a daunting process.
Fortitude Wellbeing is here for you.
Melissa Bell, our psychologist, addresses workplace issues, burnout, stress, grief, loss, eating disorders, and chronic pain. She offers short and long-term therapy to adolescents and adults from various cultural backgrounds.
Therapists use a person-centred approach to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment for clients. To support this, Melissa places clients at the centre of their therapeutic assessment and works collaboratively with them throughout the entire journey.
Therapeutic Approaches
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a structured form of psychological treatment that focuses on modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective for treating mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – Enhanced
CBT-E is a highly effective treatment for eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge-eating Disorder. It consists of an initial assessment and 20 weekly 50-minute sessions. The psychologist tailors the CBT-E protocol to the individual’s specific eating issues. This collaborative approach helps identify and address factors maintaining the disorder, empowering clients to regain control.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is the process of providing factual information to a person seeking support for mental health issues. It aims to increase a person’s knowledge and understanding of their unique symptoms and challenges and to identify their current coping abilities. This approach is known to improve a person’s sense of control and enhance the capacity to work toward positive mental and emotional wellbeing.
Gottman Relationship Method
The Gottman Method is a research-based couples therapy. This method focuses on developing skills to improve nine essential elements of a healthy connection and keep a couple together.
Why Choose Fortitude Wellbeing for Your Mental Health Care?
Choosing the right psychologist involves confirming their specialisation, ensuring their approach aligns with your needs, and establishing a comfortable rapport.
Qualified and Experienced Psychologist Richmond
Our principal Psychologist, Melissa Bell, is a fully qualified, registered psychologist and teacher with over 18 years of experience, so you can have peace of mind knowing she’ll deliver exemplary service.
Trusting Environment
Melissa is one of the many psychologists near Richmond who provide a safe and non-judgmental space for therapy. Expertise is available for LGBTQIA+ individuals and gender diversity support in Richmond.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Melissa uses evidence-based psychological approaches to ensure reliable, scientifically backed treatment for every individual’s journey.
Positive Relationships
She puts you at the centre of your assessment and takes a genuine, balanced approach to working collaboratively with you.
Personalised Therapeutic Services
Many psychologists in Richmond, including Melissa, utilise evidence-based therapies tailored to individual client needs.
What To Expect From Us?
At Fortitude Wellbeing, you’ll receive personalised, practical therapeutic services. Psychology is helpful for anyone facing a challenge, not just people experiencing significant mental health issues. Thus, we aim to provide practical therapy for everyday people with everyday problems.
Nestled in the heart of Richmond, our principal Psychologist, Melissa, offers tailored therapeutic sessions (face-to-face or online) designed to address your unique struggles and difficulties.
Melissa is passionate and firmly believes that a trusting environment and positive relationships are fundamental to affecting change and improving health and well-being.
With a focus on personal growth, self-discovery, and positive change, Fortitude Wellbeing is here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Start Your Journey of Improved Health and Wellbeing
Principal Psychologist near Richmond: Melissa Bell
Melissa is a fully qualified, registered psychologist and teacher with over 18 years of experience. She has worked internationally and locally in schools, government, and mental health organisations.
Melissa works in private practice, offering face-to-face and online services. She works with a wide variety of issues and offers short and long-term therapy to clients from adolescence to adulthood.
How Will Fortitude Wellbeing Work With You?
Initial Sessions
Your journey starts here. In your first consultations with Melissa, she will seek to understand the big picture of you, including your background, pain, struggles and concerns, therapeutic preferences and goals.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Engaging and Supportive Sessions
With your personalised plan in place, you’ll engage in face-to-face or online therapy sessions. These sessions are spaces of learning, reflection, and growth, facilitated by Melissa’s genuine care and understanding.
Future Planning
As we approach the culmination of our therapy sessions, we’ll discuss the progress made, celebrate achievements, and outline any recommended steps or practices to maintain your well-being in the future.
Our Location
Fortitude Wellbeing is conveniently situated in South Yarra near Richmond. The South Yarra practice offers easy accessibility by private or public transport for adolescents and adults seeking expert psychological care in the bustling Melbourne suburb.
- Richmond
- East Melbourne
- Cremorne
- Kew
- Burnley
- South Yarra
- Toorak
- Prahran
- Hawthorn
- Malvern
- Camberwell
- Northcote
- Fitzroy
- Collingwood
- Carlton
- South Melbourne
- Melbourne CBD
- St Kilda
- Port Melbourne
- Glen Iris
Please note: online appointments are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if counselling is for me?
The following are common warning signs that suggest you might benefit from psychological support:
- The problem is causing significant emotional distress or disruption to your life including school, work, and relationships.
- Friends, family and/or colleagues have expressed concern about your personal wellbeing.
- You find yourself dealing or coping with your problems by using strategies that could be perceived as unhelpful or unhealthy.
- Most of the time you feel or are behaving irritably, upset, or angry.
- You’ve tried a range of techniques and strategies to help yourself and nothing has worked so far.
How long is a session with a psychologist?
An individual session lasts 50 minutes. If you require a longer session, please speak to your psychologist prior to scheduling.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no straightforward answer to this question. Each client who arrives for talk-therapy will have a different story, and their journey will depend on their personal history and what they hope to get from their therapy.
Do I need a referral from a GP?
No, a referral is NOT required to see a psychologist in a private practice, but most people choose to see a psychologist using a referral letter from their GP with a Mental Health Care Plan.
Will my private health insurance give me a rebate?
Your private health insurer may provide a rebate for psychological therapy. The rebate will depend on who you are insured with and your level of cover. Please check with your insurer for rebate details.
Can I get a Medicare rebate?
To receive a Medicare rebate, you require a referral and Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP.
Do you treat adults and children?
Melissa works with people aged 16 years and above. If you are looking for psychologists who work with younger children, visit the Australian Psychological Society website (https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist).
How do I stop getting stressed/anxious?
Anxiety can come in many forms, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and specific phobias. Taking a short break, moving, getting restful sleep, eating nutritious food, and staying hydrated are all ways to help protect yourself against stress.
However, if your stress is recurring or affecting other areas of your life, scheduling an appointment with a psychologist or mental health expert can help you achieve lasting change.
Book an Appointment
Fill in the form below or contact us at 03 9988 1347. Our psychologist in Richmond is ready to help.