Melissa is an experienced psychologist who has pursued careers in both addiction rehabilitation (group therapy) and forensic psychology (Corrections). Both of these fields demonstrated the importance of child development, parent-child relationships, attachment, child-care, & the impact this has on lifetime outcomes. Since the birth of her two children, Melissa has set up her own business (Baby Brain Limited) where she has created and presented research based scientific seminars tailored specifically for: early childhood education staff, high school staff, teen parent unit staff, regional and national conferences for educators, mental health professionals, teen parents, new parents, & parents of teenagers. Melissa also continues seeing clients on an individual basis through her private practice. Additionally, Melissa provides high school staff with case consultations that allow for debrief, problem identification, and strategic practical plans to be put in place to help support students and staff. Melissa was invited to write a book chapter for the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Association (PADA) book titled “Are you okay, really?”. The chapter is entitled “Practical Strategies to Help Health Practitioners Engage with Parents Experiencing Symptoms of Postnatal Mental Health”.
Reg. Psychologist Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychological Practice (Massey University) MA (Psychology) (Massey University) Bachelor of Arts Honours (Psychology) (Massey University) Graduate Diploma of Arts (Psychology) (Massey University) Bachelor of Commerce & Administration (Human Resources & Industrial Relations & Management) (Victoria University) Member of New Zealand Psychologists Board
Melissa has varied clinical expertise having worked with NGO’s, PHO’s, and High Schools across New Zealand. Melissa’s current focus is working alongside educators and parents providing information on brain development, childhood maltreatment, and its impact on behaviour. Melissa also provides practical strategies for both educators and parents to assist them to work with students through culturally relevant strength-based approaches that assist them to best support teenagers whether they are experiencing distress, mental illness, or whether they are behaving in deliberately defiant ways.
Melissa has worked in residential mental health services with people with severe and enduring mental health conditions; residential addiction rehabilitation (group therapy); and Corrections NZ where she worked with people in the community and in prison. Melissa has previously volunteered her time to a number of community services including: Youthline, Prisoner Aid Rehabilitation Trust, Plunket, Parents Centre, and Epilepsy NZ.
Melissa’s seminar delivery style is best detailed in the following testimonials:
Feedback from high school teacher’s seminar
- “It was a humorous way of putting across a serious issue that affects us all – I thoroughly enjoyed it all Thanks – all teachers should do this seminar. So good!” - “Thank you very much. You are entertaining and extremely knowledgeable and able to tell us what we need to know in a fun, interesting way”
Feedback from Teen Parent Unit staff seminar
- “Great seminar, excellent knowledge, very helpful for both workplace and home life” - “Great that presenter was very much in tune with TPU” - “All schools should have this opportunity” - “Melissa Viviers arrived like a breath of fresh air into our TPU. Mental health has become one of our two most significant challenges to manage - the other being domestic violence - and Melissa's first visit was a significant eye-opener for all our staff. She gave us an insight into the barriers our students are bringing with them into the classroom, and provided tools to both identify and manage them. We have subsequently brought her in to work with the students, and her approach is simply wonderful. She comes from a place of personal experience and this allows her to really connect with the girls. She is real and honest and uses language they can "get" - she also comes with chocolate, an added bonus! We love having her in and look forward to future sessions so we can continue to grow our ability to support our students.” Melissa Carrere, teacher, He Huarahi Tamariki (Tawa TPU).
