Melissa McKay, PACFA
PACFA-credentialed therapist supporting meaningful change
- Trauma and addiction care
- Attachment-focused work
- Mindfulness and ACT
About Melissa McKay
Melissa McKay is a PACFA-credentialed therapist based in Australia with 12 years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of mental health and relational challenges. She draws on a compassionate, respectful approach that prioritizes each person's individual needs and goals, tailoring sessions to the concerns brought into therapy.
Her clinical experience spans stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related difficulties, depression, relationship and family issues, sleep difficulties, anger, and self-esteem concerns. Melissa also works with attachment-related struggles, avoidant and dependent personality patterns, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, co-morbid conditions, codependency, commitment and control issues, dissociation, separation and divorce, domestic violence, and substance use challenges.
To help clients move toward meaningful change, she integrates a range of evidence-informed therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. PACFA refers to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, indicating membership in a national professional body for counselling and psychotherapy practitioners.
Melissa approaches her work with sensitivity and flexibility, aiming to create a safe space where people can explore difficulties, build coping strategies, and work toward the outcomes that matter to them. She supports clients through life transitions, chronic conditions, relationship strain, and other struggles by co-creating treatment plans that reflect each person’s priorities and strengths.
Her clinical experience spans stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related difficulties, depression, relationship and family issues, sleep difficulties, anger, and self-esteem concerns. Melissa also works with attachment-related struggles, avoidant and dependent personality patterns, caregiver stress, chronic pain and illness, co-morbid conditions, codependency, commitment and control issues, dissociation, separation and divorce, domestic violence, and substance use challenges.
To help clients move toward meaningful change, she integrates a range of evidence-informed therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. PACFA refers to the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, indicating membership in a national professional body for counselling and psychotherapy practitioners.
Melissa approaches her work with sensitivity and flexibility, aiming to create a safe space where people can explore difficulties, build coping strategies, and work toward the outcomes that matter to them. She supports clients through life transitions, chronic conditions, relationship strain, and other struggles by co-creating treatment plans that reflect each person’s priorities and strengths.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
Attachment issuesAvoidant personalityCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Melissa McKay have?
Melissa McKay has 12 years of professional experience.
Is Melissa McKay a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds PACFA credentials. PACFA is the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, a national professional association for counselling and psychotherapy practitioners.
In which languages does Melissa McKay provide therapy?
Melissa McKay provides therapy in English.
Where is Melissa McKay located?
Melissa McKay is located in Australia.
How can I work with Melissa McKay as my therapist?
You can work with Melissa McKay through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Melissa McKay work with international clients?
Melissa McKay does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Melissa McKay cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could Remote Therapy Be a Good Fit?
Many people wonder whether online therapy can truly help. For a range of everyday concerns - such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or major life transitions - research indicates outcomes that are comparable to those seen in traditional in-person care, making virtual options a practical choice for many.One major benefit is flexibility. Individuals can connect with therapists using the format that best suits their routines and comfort level, whether through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. This flexibility often makes it easier to attend sessions consistently and integrate therapeutic work into a busy life.
Licensed professionals deliver therapy via these remote formats, and people may change therapists if they need a different fit. For those weighing their options, online therapy offers accessible ways to begin or continue therapeutic work without sacrificing the collaborative relationship and structured support that in-person therapy provides.