Feeling overwhelmed? Like everything is a bit too heavy to carry on your own?
Life can be tough. Talk to a lived experience counsellor who understands.
I'm Melanie Foulkes, an online lived experience counsellor in Queensland, Australia.
Sometimes, things happen in our lives that we can't control and it can be really difficult to cope, especially when you're disabled, neurodivergent or live with chronic illness.
Sometimes, you just need to talk to someone who "gets it". Someone who can help you ride the waves of life, and support you with strategies to not only cope, but thrive.
I specialise in providing compassionate mental health counselling for disabled people—including those with chronic illness, chronic pain and neurodivergence. But I help clients of all kinds; anyone who needs a helping hand, or a non-judgemental person to talk to.
Please note there is a waitlist to see Melanie.
I support people with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- Chronic illness and chronic pain
- Disability
- Neurodivergence
Lived experience sets me apart
I know what it's like to experience pain, illness and neurodivergence. I know what it's like to experience burnout, and the frustration of living with limited energy. I know what it's like to experience medical gaslighting, and how awful it feels to not be understood-and how lonely this journey can be.
Having worked across the mental health and disability sectors, and in education, I know how important it is to talk to someone who not only cares but truly listens.
Accessible counselling options:
- Telehealth with closed captions
- Audio-only telehealth with closed captions
- Telephone counselling
- Shorter 30 minutes sessions
- Confidential follow-up notes
I offer affordable online counselling and phone counselling sessions because accessibility matters.
Getting to a physical location can be tricky when you’re disabled or chronically ill. That’s why although I’m based in Cairns, Queensland, I provide online mental health counselling and phone counselling sessions for people all across Australia—and the world (not including Canada and USA).
Because counselling and mental health support is traditionally expensive, I also believe in providing affordable options. Unfortunately, I can't offer rebates or bulk billing due to Australia's current Medicare pricing structure, but I do provide discounts for concession cardholders. I can also assist if you have an NDIS plan which is self-managed or plan-managed.
Looking for support?
I’ll listen to you with kindness and understanding, and together, we can come up with a plan to help. I can also help you set goals, and create pathways to achieve them, so you can live the life you want to.
Melanie Foulkes does not provide crisis counselling services.
If someone's life is in danger or there is an immediate risk of harm, call emergency services (Australia 000). If you are thinking about suicide or need to speak to someone now, please get in touch with one of the following helplines.
Suicide Call Back Service
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues.
1300 659 467
Grief Line
https://griefline.org.au/
National toll-free helpline operates from 6am to midnight (AEST). All services are free and available 365 days a year.
Melanie Foulkes cannot accept responsibility for any of the services provided by the above organisations.