Kristy Mellor
Milawa,VIC
Summary
Experienced Mental Health Social Worker with a strong background in suicide prevention, family therapy, and evidence-based practices. Proven ability to lead therapeutic sessions and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create effective treatment plans.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Hume Psychology (2days pw)
Beechworth, VIC
06.2024 - Current
- Provide individual counselling to young people (5-25) facing mental health challenges.
- Conduct play therapy sessions with children to help them process emotions and experiences.
- Use a variety of therapeutic approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducation sessions to engage with young people and families
- Document care plans, treatment reports and progress notes.
- Lead individual, family and group therapy sessions.
Therapeutic Specialist
VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community agency) (2 days pw)
WANGARATTA, VIC
01.2024 - Current
- Conduct therapeutic assessments to identify client needs, cultural needs and strengths effectively.
- Provide training and support to residential care team on therapeutic techniques and strategies.
- Lead weekly team meetings with staff members to review cases and collaborate on cultural approaches or interventions for complex young people.
- Provided training in TCI approaches to teams. Modelled therapeutic interactions in interactions with young people to encourage staff development and learning.
- Direct cultural activities provided for young people. Planning and risk assessment provided for fishing, swimming and canoeing activities
- Collaborate with Care teams including school, placement teams, case managers to determine effective care plans.
CAMHS headspace surge clinician
Albury Wodonga Health
Wodonga/Wangaratta, VIC
03.2022 - 02.2024
- Worked alongside headspace staff in local headspace centres to help address waiting times arising from COVID
- Performed risk assessment and evaluations for suicidal ideation among young people.
- Provided heads assessments as well as 5P's model of psychological assessment.
- Provided a full range of complex clinical casework and other therapeutic inyterventions, family system work and single session program.
- Provided online and telephone support to young people and their families. Supported families with telepsychiatry consults.
- Mentored and provided clinical consultation to headspace staff.
- Worked collaboratively with schools to provide support for referrals and wellbeing staff. Provided mental health psychoeducation and referral pathways to young people in schools.
- Coordinated referrals with external providers. Provided clinical decision making and escalation procedures to CAMHS and ED services when extra support needed.
CAMHS Clinician
Albury Wodonga Health
WANGARATTA, Victoria
01.2020 - 02.2024
- Assessed young person's symptoms, histories, current concerns, and responses to develop clear picture of mental health needs.
- Determined most appropriate treatment plan and implemented course of action.
- Provided crisis intervention services to manage acute mental health situations.
- Educated young people and families about mental health issues and available resources.
- Facilitated single session group sessions to enhance family engagement and support.
- Participated in weekly clinical meetings with wider team to discuss progress of clients' treatment plans.
Disability Justice Case Manager
DFFH
WANGARATTA, Vic
04.2006 - 01.2020
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Linked clients with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies to help claim or reclaim individual autonomy.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment options.
Education
TCI (Train The Trainer) - Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
Cornell University
Online05-2025
Group Reflective Practice - Social Work
Bouverie Centre - La Trobe University
Melbourne Vic10-2024
Working With Young People With Complex Needs - Social Work
Spectrum
Albury, NSW07-2023
Trauma Focussed CBT - Trauma Focussed CBT
Phoenix Australia
Online06-2022
Specialist Certificate in Criminology (Forensic Disability) - Criminal Justice
Melbourne University
Parkville, VIC10-2015
BA (Hons) Applied Social Work - Social Work
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds UK07-2000
Diploma in Social Work (Dip Sw) - Social Work
Leeds Metropolitan University UK
Leeds UK07-1998
VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) - VCE
Braemar College
Woodend, VIC12-1993
Skills
- AASW membership since 2024
- AMHSW (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) since 2024
- Complex mental health assessments
- Individualised treatment planning
- Suicide prevention strategies
- Family therapy
- Single session therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Relationship building
- Working With Young People With Complex Needs
- CBT
- Play therapy
Timeline
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Hume Psychology (2days pw)
06.2024 - Current
Therapeutic Specialist
VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community agency) (2 days pw)
01.2024 - Current
CAMHS headspace surge clinician
Albury Wodonga Health
03.2022 - 02.2024
CAMHS Clinician
Albury Wodonga Health
01.2020 - 02.2024
Disability Justice Case Manager
DFFH
04.2006 - 01.2020
TCI (Train The Trainer) - Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
Cornell University
Group Reflective Practice - Social Work
Bouverie Centre - La Trobe University
Working With Young People With Complex Needs - Social Work
Spectrum
Trauma Focussed CBT - Trauma Focussed CBT
Phoenix Australia
Specialist Certificate in Criminology (Forensic Disability) - Criminal Justice
Melbourne University
BA (Hons) Applied Social Work - Social Work
Leeds Metropolitan University
Diploma in Social Work (Dip Sw) - Social Work
Leeds Metropolitan University UK
VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) - VCE
Braemar College