MELANIE CALDER

BSc (Hons), MProfPsych, MAdvProfPsych, MAPS

Founder & Director | Principal Psychologist

Hello, and Welcome

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I’m Melanie Calder, Founder, Director and Principal Psychologist at Calder Psychology.

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I am passionate about helping people understand themselves more deeply, make sense of difficult experiences, and create meaningful and sustainable change in their lives.

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My particular interests include trauma and complex PTSD, ADHD and autism, emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety and depression, addiction, and complex or longstanding mental health concerns.

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I recognise that people rarely fit neatly into a diagnosis or a single therapeutic approach. Many of the people I work with have experienced overlapping challenges - for example, trauma alongside neurodivergence, anxiety alongside emotional dysregulation, or longstanding patterns that have not fully responded to previous treatment.

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My aim is to understand the whole person rather than simply treat a collection of symptoms.

My Approach

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My approach is warm, collaborative and evidence-based.

I believe effective therapy begins with developing a genuine understanding of the person in front of me — their experiences, strengths, relationships, culture, values and the circumstances that have shaped their life.

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From there, we work together to develop an individualised treatment approach that is both psychologically informed and practical.

Rather than relying on one therapeutic model, I integrate evidence-based approaches according to each person’s needs. These may include:

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• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Schema Therapy

• Trauma-informed psychological therapy

• Mindfulness and compassion-focused approaches

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For people who have experienced trauma or complex mental health difficulties, therapy is not simply about reducing symptoms. It can also involve developing emotional safety, understanding longstanding patterns, strengthening relationships, rebuilding confidence and reconnecting with a sense of identity, purpose and possibility.

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Areas of Particular Interest

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I have a particular professional interest in working with:

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• Trauma, PTSD and Complex PTSD

• ADHD

• Autism

• Emotion regulation difficulties

• Anxiety and panic

• Depression and persistent low mood

• Addiction and behavioural concerns

• Complex and longstanding psychological difficulties

• Neurodivergent individuals who may previously have felt misunderstood

• Parenting and family challenges

• Interpersonal relationship

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I am especially interested in understanding the intersection between trauma, neurodivergence, emotional regulation and mental health.

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Psychological Assessment

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Alongside therapy, I provide comprehensive psychological assessment for children, adolescents and adults.

This includes:

• ADHD assessments for children and adults

• Autism assessments from six years of age through adulthood

• Cognitive and intellectual assessment

• Psychoeducation and feedback

• Reports and supporting documentation where clinically appropriate

• Collaboration with families, schools and other treating professionals

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For me, assessment should be more than receiving a diagnosis or a report. A good assessment should help a person understand why certain aspects of life have been difficult, recognise their strengths, and identify practical ways forward.

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Group Therapy and Psychoeducation

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Group work has been an important part of my professional experience and continues to influence the way I practise.

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There can be something uniquely powerful about discovering that experiences which have felt isolating are shared and understood by others.

I have a particular interest in the development and facilitation of structured psychological groups and psychoeducational programs, including programs focused on emotional regulation, trauma and resilience, neurodivergence, psychological wellbeing and personal growth.

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This experience also informs my individual therapy, particularly when helping people translate psychological concepts into skills they can use in everyday life.

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A Little More About Me

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One of the things I value most about psychology is the privilege of hearing people's stories.

People often come to therapy at vulnerable or uncertain points in their lives. Some know exactly what they want help with; others simply know that something needs to change.

You don't need to arrive with all the answers.

My role is to help you understand what is happening, identify what may be keeping difficulties going, recognise the strengths you already have, and work alongside you towards meaningful change.

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I am committed to providing an inclusive and affirming environment for people from diverse cultural backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals, and people who may previously have felt misunderstood within healthcare or other systems.

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Culture, family, identity, relationships and values can all profoundly influence how we understand ourselves and experience the world. These are important parts of the therapeutic conversation.

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Appointments can be conducted in English, Tagalog (Filipino), or a combination of both, according to your preference.

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Funding Pathways

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I provide psychological services to:

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• Private clients

• Medicare clients with a Mental Health Treatment Plan

• Private health insurance clients

• Workers' Compensation clients

• NDIS participants

• Department of Veterans' Affairs clients

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Taking the Next Step

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​Whether you are seeking help following trauma, trying to better understand ADHD or autism, struggling with emotions that feel difficult to manage, or simply recognising that life is not where you would like it to be, therapy can provide a place to understand what is happening and determine what comes next.

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My hope is that when you come to Calder Psychology, you experience a space where you can be yourself, feel understood, and approach difficult experiences with curiosity rather than judgement.

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Together, we can work towards healthy minds and a life that feels meaningful to you.