empowering mother to improve mental health

"Mel is an intuitive listener and has a gift for interpreting emotions and behaviours. A reliable soundboard and provider of essential advice, she has a gentle manner but a strong drive to help her clients". - A

hello

I'm Melissa Mavis.

I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers. I have years of experience working in private practice and the public mental health sector where I work with a multitude of individuals experiencing struggles associated with living with a severe mental illness.

I am a multi-passionate Mama, wife and mental health clinician with a special interest in coaching, counselling and supporting mothers through the emotional and mental challenges of parenting and motherhood. I help mamas improve their mental wellbeing so they can nurture their family from a place of love and abundance.

I provide a safe space for my clients to explore and grow their sense of self. I guide and coach you through your biggest challenges. I provide education and insight into behaviours, thought patterns and various life circumstances. I help clients develop healthy coping strategies and effective communication skills to enhance their relationships.

My practice is centered around you and together we will work towards your parenting and life goals.

Counsellor Coach Mentor

matrescence

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transformative processes a woman will journey through in her lifetime.

Dana Raphael coined this transition:

With each pregnancy and birth, a mother is born and reborn. For some, this is an empowering experience, for others, it can be what feels like a complete unravelling.... If you're matrescence journey is feeling more like an unravelling, then I encourage you to begin reaching out to people that will form your village.

... because I've been there.

I have a lived experience of postnatal mental health stuggles. It was with self-determination and the love and support of my chosen village that I was able to overcome this.

Though my initial transition into motherhood was not one I "loved every minute" - it is a journey I whole-heartedly own, respect and hold gratitude for. It was this journey that led me to develop an immense passion and desire to help and support mothers with the emotional and mental challenges experienced throughout matrescence.

So that's what I do now. I provide individualised support to mothers; to deep dive into their journey of

self-discovery and self-development. I help them enhance and maintain their own mental health and wellbeing so they can thrive in motherhood.

why am i the best person to support you?

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

Bachelor of Psychological Science - Griffith Univeristy

Master of Social Worker (Professionally Qualifying) - SCU

Graduate Certificate in Applied Mental Health Studies specialising in Perinatal & Infant Mental Health - HETI

Together in Mind group facilitator training - Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health

Registered Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers