Your Psychotherapist
Melissa Thompson
A clinically trained psychotherapist and four-time Emmy Award winner, who spent two decades working in the high-stakes, high-pressure profession of broadcast journalism and TV news.
Melissa works with people whose lives are lived under pressure and in public, and with private clients who expect an exceptional, entirely discreet standard of care. She understands that world because she has lived that life herself: in front of the camera, on the competition dance floor, and alongside the elite athletes and champions she works with through high performance psychology coaching. Her therapy brings together clinical training and a deep, first-hand understanding of what it takes to perform, lead and stay well when the stakes are high.
- Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling
- Registered Clinical Member, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
- Clinically trained psychotherapist and performance coach
An elite career
Two decades of a multi-award-winning career in high-level news
4×
Emmy Award winner
20+
years in U.S. television
CBS
Sole host of network news program “Up To The Minute”
Melissa is a four-time Emmy award-winning TV presenter, interviewer, writer and producer who spent more than two decades in the U.S. media, working for network affiliates in Kansas and Washington D.C., as well as CBS News in New York City where she was the sole host of the network news program “Up To The Minute.” She also filled in on the “CBS Morning News” and “The Early Show.”
In addition to her Emmys, Melissa has been awarded the prestigious Edward R. Murrow and Ohio State awards for excellence in journalism and recognised by the Society of Professional Journalists in Washington D.C.
She reported on some of the most defining events of the 21st century, including 9/11 from within NYC, presidential elections, Hurricane Katrina and the invasion of Iraq. Seeing ordinary people meet extraordinary pressure is what drew her to how the mind builds resilience, and to clinical training.
A performer and a coach
Performance, lived and taught
On the dance floor
Competitive Latin dancer
Melissa competes in Latin ballroom DanceSport. She knows first-hand the discipline, nerves, partnership and split-second focus it takes to perform when everything is on the line, and the courage it takes to step out again after a setback.
With athletes
High performance psychology coaching
Melissa provides high performance psychology coaching to elite athletes and champions, helping individual competitors and teams build mental focus, manage competition pressure and perform consistently at their best.
Athlete and performer testimonials
From the competition floor
One of the hardest things as a competitor in DanceSport is a lot of variables out of your control. That being the space, the music, the people you’re versing, the marks, the judges. All you can control is the way you dance. Melissa helped us zero in on the things that we were able to control, which is the dancing and our individual performance.
I would recommend working with Melissa to other dancers and performers out there who are looking to really level up their performance and add something extra and special.
I’ve been working with Melissa for a few years now and she has helped me gain an understanding of my goals and strategies as an athlete. She has also developed and strengthened my mental focus in such a way that has not only improved my performance but also my life. Melissa has knowledge that only comes from first-hand experience and expertise that has been recognised by viewers and colleagues alike, which is why Melissa is the only choice for me to mentally improve and achieve greatness.
As a performer, I often have to present to camera, which had previously been a daunting task. However, Melissa instantly made me feel comfortable and relaxed as she refined my skills, which gave me confidence. I trust her coaching methods and would highly recommend her services. I have had the privilege of working with and watching Melissa as a competitor and show dance performer. She has an amazing work ethic and a stage presence that makes it hard to take your eyes off her.
Choreographer, Producer
Director of Canon Dance House
Staying on top of your game is super important. Working with Melissa has been such an easy process and I feel very privileged to be able to learn the skills that she teaches in order to become the best presenter I can be.
Why it matters in therapy
She knows the pressure from the inside
Nothing to explain
Scrutiny, deadlines, live performance, competition, public setbacks. Melissa has lived them, so you can start where it matters.
Calm under pressure
Years of reporting through crises taught her to stay steady when others can't. She brings that steadiness to every session.
Discretion by instinct
A career around high-profile people taught her what privacy really means, and why it matters.
“When your performance emanates from a place internally instead of just externally, it's more consistent, developed, authentic and very special.”
In the words of clients
What it’s like to work with Melissa
Melissa is amazing. She has a way of helping you unpack that provides such clarity and understanding. Our sessions always leave me feeling hopeful and provide so much insight.
Melissa is wonderful, so much so I have already recommended her to a friend. She understands me and gives me helpful strategies to tackle my life’s challenges, and is very friendly and professional at the same time. She explains things to me in a very easy to understand way, and has helped me tremendously already in just 3 weeks. I always look forward to my next session with her.
Melissa is a ★★★★★! We have struggled to find a well suited therapist for a while, but Melissa honestly is the most supportive and attentive therapist you will ever meet. Melissa listens to our problems, and will implement solutions as well as explaining in great detail why we feel that way. Melissa will try and get to the root of the problem, and we both find it very interesting listening to the things she has to say and solutions to help us. Thank you so much for your support!
Melissa Thompson has a great way to connect and ask the right questions that you never knew you needed. She can help you be the better self that you have always wanted to be. She is an amazing therapist.
Shared by clients and published with their permission. Names are withheld to protect their privacy.
In the words of colleagues
From her years at CBS News
Melissa Thompson is a veteran network correspondent and proven strategic communicator. Our paths crossed as colleagues at CBS News in New York City where she anchored the network broadcast 'Up to the Minute'-seen across the United States and in the United Kingdom on the SKY Network. For viewers, Melissa was relied on to report the news of the day, fairly and accurately. Those events included national political crises, natural disasters, plane crashes and war- including the 2003 U.S. led invasion of Iraq. But most importantly to me, her colleague, Melissa empowered us all to be better. Not just as journalists-but people. Melissa didn’t just cover events, she cared about the details of people’s lives. She is a terrific writer and strong producer. And she made us all better—every day.
I took a poll my former television colleagues and we voted Melissa our favorite anchor of CBS News “Up to the Minute.” Her professionalism was unquestioned. She always prepped thoroughly for her interviews and was genuinely interested in the subject matter. Her poise on camera was always evident. She listened to the interviewee, which is crucial in a television interview where you may have to quickly shift topics. Melissa was a complete professional as a journalist and on-camera. Her being good at her job made my job as a writer and producer that much easier and for that I will always thank her.
Melissa Thompson is a consummate professional who understands how to get the best out of people who do public speaking, especially those who are required to speak on-camera. She is always well-prepared on the issues that will be discussed and is an expert at taking people she interviews down the most important discussion paths. She always produces concise, focused and comprehensive discussions. Her on-camera performance is flawless. She knows how to reach out to her audiences and engage them. Her professional attitude combined with her warm and friendly nature always result in great on-air presentations. Her ability to lead discussions and react to people’s responses is second to none.
Areas of training
What Melissa can help with
Melissa's areas of training include the treatment of:
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Anxiety and depression
- Bereavement
- Confidence and presentation
- Family and couples issues
- Mental strengthening and focus
- Neurodivergence
- Phobias
- Substance abuse
- Trauma
Sessions are available in person in Melbourne's Bayside area and online. Sessions in other locations can be discussed.
