Melanie Schuijers…
COUPLES+ THERAPIST / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Hi, my name is Melanie. I’m a registered clinical psychologist based in Brunswick, Victoria on Wurunjderi country. I have she/her pronouns. I completed a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) and am a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi). I’m also the founder of Luma Room.
I have experience working with a diverse range of people from all walks of life and strive to create a safe and non-judgmental space for all my clients. This is a LGBTQIA+ friendly space and all cultural backgrounds are welcomed. All relationship structures are also welcome.
I take a collaborative approach and value curiosity, openness, empathy, and warmth. I am also committed an up-to-date evidence-based approach, tailored to you. I believe it is important to find a style of therapy that suits or to combine different styles eclectically based on your preferences and what you’re going through. Your choices and values will always be respected so that we can work towards the things that are meaningful to you. Open communication is also always invited so that we, as a team, can make sure we are on track.
Qualifications and Professional Memberships
Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Deakin University
Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), Dean's List, The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology, Literature), The University of Melbourne
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi)
Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Luma Room is a space to explore connection
Relationship Therapy
Relationship therapy may suit you if you’d like to navigate and nurture the connections that are significant to you.
Luma Room is based on Wurundjeri land in Brunswick. We offer relationship therapy for couples+ either in person at our location on Sydney Road (near Barkly Square) or via Telehealth online, if preferred.
I like to draw from therapies including:
Attachment Theory
The Gottman Method
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Schema Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Art Therapy
Eco-Therapy
I have a relational and attachment-based lens to my work. My doctoral research investigated the attachment bond and the intergenerational contributors to mental health and wellbeing. I practice from my Brunswick therapy space where I offer in-person appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays during business hours. Telehealth appointments are also an option if preferred.
Some places I have worked or completed training placements include: Headspace (young people and caregivers), the Melbourne Attachment and Caregiving lab (families), Wadja Clinic at the Royal Children’s Hospital (First Nations children, young people, and their caregivers), The Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Program at the Royal Children’s Hospital (children and young people with complex presentations and their caregivers, including individual caregiver ‘parenting’ programs), Drug and Alcohol Services (adults), The Melbourne Clinic Day Program (complex relational trauma group programs for adults), Primary Mental Health Partners (adults and adult inpatients), and private music therapy work. I also occasionally run Mindfulness based eco-therapy groups as I place value on our intrinsic and reciprocal relationship with nature.
I am open to seeing anyone who would like to talk to somebody about their challenges. People who see me for relationship therapy may be experiencing things like communication difficulties, feeling as if they’re stuck, navigating change together, exploring their attachment dynamics or past wounds, or understanding how the past may be influencing the present. They also may be hoping to strengthen their bond, explore intimacy more deeply, create a regular space to process and connect, or navigate non-monogamy with support. As a therapist, I am person-centred, take a holistic approach, and understand that wellbeing is multifactorial.