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?
At Fortitude Wellbeing, we work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, life transitions, coping with change, depression, loss and grief, stress, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, workplace problems, and relationship issues. Our principal Psychologist, Melissa Bell, offers short and long-term therapy to adolescents and adults from various cultural backgrounds.
Melissa firmly believes that a trusting, supportive environment and positive relationships are fundamental to affecting change and improving health and wellbeing. 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 Behavioural Therapy is an evidence-based psychological approach that is effective for a variety of problems including depression, anxiety disorders and life transitions. CBT proposes that psychological problems are based (in part) on unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behaviour. CBT supports the client to identify their distorted thinking patterns, consider alternative and more helpful ways of thinking, and learn better ways of coping with challenges, thereby relieving their symptoms, becoming more effective at problem solving and living more fulfilling lives.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping clients accept the complete human experience. This means acceptance of the full range of human thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensations, and internal experiences (even those really uncomfortable ones) while guiding them to commit to values-based actions. ACT is also an evidence-based psychological intervention that supports meaning in a person’s life.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – Enhanced
CBT-E is one of the most effective psychological treatments for clients living with a eating disorders, such as Anorexia, Bulimia and/or Binge-eating Disorder. CBT-E involves an initial assessment appointment and 20 sessions over 20 weeks, lasting 50 minutes each. CBT-E is a highly individualised treatment whereby the psychologist creates a specific version of CBT-E to match the exact eating problem of the person receiving treatment. It is a collaborative approach where the client and their therapist work out together what is keeping the eating disorder going and what can be done to take control of the eating disorder.
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 identifying their current coping ability. This approach is known to improve a person’s sense of control and lead to an improved 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?
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
Evidence Based Therapies
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
What To Expect From Us?
At Fortitude Wellbeing, you’ll be provided personalised and practical therapeutic service. We believe that 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 in 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.
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
- Jolimont
- 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 have to have a 'problem' to see a psychologist?
While many men and women first attend therapy to manage a specific stress, problem or challenge, it is also a safe, non-judgemental space to develop and grow as a person. It is common for people to attend therapy to build self-awareness and confidence with respect to their feelings or learn coping strategies that help to reduce or manage symptoms of stress and/or mental illness.
Do I need a referral from a GP?
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?
How do I improve my mental health?
This depends on what’s contributing to your stress and/or mental health concerns. You may like to practice self compassion, take a short break, get moving, attain a restful sleep, eat nutritious food and stay hydrated. However, if your stress is reoccurring, or creating difficulty in other areas of your life then scheduling an appointment for therapy can help you develop lasting change.
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?
This will depend on what is contributing to your stress or anxiety. Taking a short break, movement, getting a restful sleep, eating nutritious food and staying hydrated are all ways to help protect yourself against stress.
However, if your stress is reoccurring, or creating issues in other areas of your life then making an appointment to talk to a psychologist or mental health expert can help you develop lasting change.
How do I know if my behaviour in my relationship is problematic?
All relationships have ups and downs from time to time, including the occasional argument, different interests and having independent lives.
A problematic or toxic connection is apparent when communication has broken down and relies on the use of criticism and/or contempt (e.g., attacks, sarcasm, mockery), rather than solving issues you sweep them under the rug, when you do attempt to solve an issue the argument becomes aggressive or confrontational, there is no emotional connection or compassion, a lack of physical intimacy, trust has been broken and feels beyond repair, you no longer support each other, you have different life goals, you can’t imagine a future together or you often fantasise about a future without your partner.