Melanie Hocking , AASW

Melanie Hocking is a licensed Australian social worker with 20 years of professional experience supporting people through trauma, loss, parenting challenges, and major life transitions. She holds AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) credentials, indicating affiliation with the national professional body for social work in Australia. Melanie has particular expertise in perinatal mental health and works with individuals facing grief, abuse, confidence and self-esteem concerns, motivation difficulties, and the emotional impacts of change.

Her practice emphasizes creating an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely. Melanie collaborates with clients to explore their experiences and to develop practical coping strategies tailored to their circumstances. She aims to support people taking the difficult first steps toward greater wellbeing, helping them build resilience and clarity as they move toward a more fulfilling life.

Melanie’s approach is informed by evidence-based techniques and by two decades of clinical work across a range of issues, including parenting support, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and perinatal concerns. Her background offers both focused clinical knowledge and a compassionate, person-centered manner of working.

Evidence-based approaches for online care and support

Melanie draws on trauma-focused approaches that help people process distressing memories and symptoms by gently exploring their experiences and developing grounding and coping strategies. These methods are often used for survivors of abuse and for those managing post-traumatic stress reactions, with the aim of reducing intrusions and improving day-to-day functioning.

She also uses supportive, skills-oriented work tailored to grief, parenting and perinatal concerns. This involves practical tools for emotion regulation, communication and role transitions, and helps clients build confidence and clearer routines during life changes and caregiving periods.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Melanie works with each person to identify which techniques best match their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting the plan as therapy progresses so the work remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people balancing work, family and other commitments. Sessions by video, phone, live chat or text-based messaging allow clients to access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations, making it easier to maintain consistency and to fit therapy into a busy life.