The 5 Best Psychotherapists in Melbourne for Support That Works
Wanting to get help is usually the easy part. The harder bit is figuring out who to talk to once you’ve decided you don’t want to carry everything on your own anymore.
A quick search throws up counsellors, therapists, psychotherapists… and suddenly it feels like you need a flowchart to just book an appointment. If you want to dig deeper into patterns and long-standing issues, psychotherapists are the ones to see.
With that in mind, our team set out to review the best psychotherapists in Melbourne. Here are the ones we’d also personally trust with our mental health.
How much does psychotherapy cost in Melbourne?
Psychotherapy in Melbourne typically costs around AUD $170–$300+ per session for a 60-minute appointment. The final price depends on the therapist’s qualifications and the clinic.
1. Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy
Address: 177 Roden St, West Melbourne
Phone: +61 3 9015 9595
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 1 PM
- Sunday: Closed
International students, migrants, and culturally diverse people might feel comfortable accessing psychotherapy in Melbourne at Live Your Story Counselling & Psychotherapy.
The clinic has supported people navigating big life transitions tied to culture, identity, and belonging.
Dr. Coby Liew, the founder and principal psychotherapist, shapes the direction of the clinic.
He has more than 15 years of experience as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and advanced training in psychotherapy and psychology. His approach blends structure with cultural awareness.
Several clients said their cultural backgrounds were well understood and respected. They felt genuinely seen in the context of their upbringing and life experiences.
What helps Live Your Story stand out even more is its niche focus. Multicultural and bicultural experiences are a clear strength, along with multilingual therapy and immigration-related psychological reports.
The clinic also offers Medicare and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rebates, making ongoing therapy more affordable. The play and art therapy rooms are another nice touch.
There are, however, a few practical downsides worth noting. The clinic has a strict 24-hour cancellation and no-show policy, with a $200 fee. This can be tough for people with unpredictable schedules.
He was understanding of my background in a holistic manner
“I found Coby to be very skilled in asking the right questions to enable you to understand your thought processes and mental schemas that may be affecting your well being. He was understanding of my background in a holistic manner in order to pinpoint the causes of my thought patterns that were holding me back from having the most empowering mindset I could have. Would highly recommend his services.”
Wong Foo Hoe, Google review
Coby comes with a wealth of experience
“Coby has and will always be able to create a safe space for me to talk through things which are typically hard for me to have an open and honest discussion with others. He comes with a wealth of experience, in particular, working with migrants who he will make feel at ease at discussing issues as someone from a similar cultural point of view.”
Bern Lim, Google review
2. Cova Psychology
Address: Suite 19/12 Collins St, Melbourne VIC
Phone: +61 3 9654 3557
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Cova Psychology has carved out a clear speciality. A lot of their cases have been about complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood trauma, and emotionally unstable presentations often linked to borderline personality disorder (BPD).
We don’t think this is accidental branding. The clinic’s co-directors, Dr Sarah Valentine and Dr Chris Coleiro, have been actively involved in destigmatising these issues long before the clinic opened in 2018.
The clinic’s approach is structured and evidence-based. Most of the clinicians are trained and accredited in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), which is used to process trauma.
We also loved their therapist-matching process. Clients complete an intake questionnaire and have a short consultation with the administrative staff to ensure the fit is right.
This extra step costs more upfront, but it seems to result in better retention and stronger therapeutic relationships.
They also allow a mix of online and in-person sessions, so it’s easier for clients to stick with therapy.
Cost is a limitation, though. There’s no bulk-billing or concessions, and sessions are in the premium range even after Medicare rebates.
I’m very grateful for the care and guidance I received
“My experience with Cova has been extremely professional and supportive. My therapist was fantastic—she took the time to really work with me, helping me gain clarity around my thoughts and emotions. The process did require personal effort, but it was absolutely worth it. I’ve come away from it feeling positive, safe, and empowered. I’m very grateful for the care and guidance I received.”
Kerry, Google review
My experience with Cova has been great
“My experience with Cova has been great, from the warm reception team who do go above and beyond, to my psych Bree who helped me understand my neurodivergence and actually challenged my thinking so that I could understand myself with more depth than I could have imagined. I’ve been to therapy consistently for the past decade and have never found it as edifying as now.”
Alice Manderson, Google review
3. MVS Psychology Group: Collins Street, Melbourne
Address: Suite 8 level 7/350 Collins St, Melbourne
Phone: +61 3 7036 8795
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 9 PM
For those looking for a trauma therapist in Melbourne, MVS Psychology Group is a great choice. Their approach mixes therapies like EMDR, Schema Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and more.
From what we’ve heard, sessions are tailored for neurodivergent clients or those going through major transitions. There’s also a clear focus on building emotional resilience.
Max Vaughan-Smith, the director and lead clinical psychologist, was mentioned by a lot of people.
Clients said he’s very intuitive. He understands clients’ emotions faster than they can articulate them.
The therapy sessions are relaxed and human rather than overly clinical too. It actually makes space for authentic expression and accountability.
The clinic’s environment also receives praise. It’s bright, curated, and calming. The reception staff also helps in making clients feel safe.
Several clients noted some tangible improvements after attending therapy here—better sleep, reduced anxiety, and renewed optimism.
However, they’re very in demand. There were reports about long wait times before getting started with their therapy journey.
The therapists are attentive and provide a safe space for discussing any issues
“I’ve had a fantastic experience with MVS Psychology Group. The team is professional, compassionate, and highly skilled. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and understood. The therapists are attentive and provide a safe space for discussing any issues. Their expertise and personalised approach have been instrumental in my personal growth and mental well-being. I highly recommend MVS Psychology Group to anyone seeking supportive and effective psychological services.”
Beau Loumeau, Google review
I felt immediately at ease and able to communicate very sensitive information to her
“I feel the need to write in thanks to MVS, but particularly to Alicia W who has been incredibly caring and thorough through my experience here. I felt immediately at ease and able to communicate very sensitive information to her in a way that was effectively clinical but also compassionate and warm. She went above and beyond what I expected which only leaves me with good feelings about returning for further therapy in other areas with who I am equally sure are capable professionals.”
Jack McLaughlin, Google review
4. The Melbourne Centre of Psychotherapy and Consultancy (MCPC)
Address: 155 Dorcas St, South Melbourne
Phone: +61 431 552 791
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Sunday: Closed
At the centre of MCPC is Dr Sara Taylor. She has more than 26 years of experience, leaning heavily toward psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy. It’s all supported by evidence-based methods like CBT and mindfulness.
People consistently described her as calm, warm, and grounding.
The overall feel of the clinic is much more about depth than speed. It’s built for unpacking long-standing emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and complex mental health issues over time.
There’s also a lot of positive attention around the therapy dog. Clients said the dog plays a huge role in helping them feel more at ease, especially those who struggle with anxiety or emotional openness.
We also loved that the clinic has a team of seven practitioners working within the same depth-oriented framework.
On the flip side, one feedback pointed to a slow response to online enquiries. Admin follow-up seems to be a bit slow here.
I’d highly recommend the centre as a place to attend for therapy
“I’ve worked and consulted with Sara and other therapists at MCPC for a number of years, and also attended the reading group there. I’d highly recommend the centre as a place to go to learn about psychoanalytic therapy during their trainings or to attend for therapy.”
Owen Lello, Google review
Her expertise & compassionate approach create a nurturing environment for growth & healing
“I highly recommend working with Dr. Sara. Her expertise & compassionate approach create a nurturing environment for growth & healing. Especially their incorporation of dog therapy support adds an innovative uplifting element to the program.”
Alex Boldewijn, Google review
5. Bayside Psychotherapy
Address: 8/539 Highett Rd, Highett
Phone: +61 3 9557 9113
Business hours:
- Monday: 8 AM – 8 PM
- Tuesday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Bayside Psychotherapy blends Eastern approaches (mindfulness and Buddhist psychotherapy) with Western psychoanalytic thinking.
This means sessions are likely to explore present-day struggles and long-standing patterns that sit in the background.
Adam Szmerling, the owner and lead psychotherapist, brings over 20 years of experience. A lot of people really felt acknowledged and validated by him, especially during difficult life periods.
Most of the cases he’s handled include anxiety, addictions, and self-sabotage.
We also noticed that a lot of the psychotherapists here do hypnotherapy, alongside counselling. It appeals to people who want both emotional insight and practical shifts. One of them is Carolina, who clients said has a warm demeanour.
Bayside also stands out as explicitly LGBTQIA+ friendly too. It matters more than it might seem.
That said, their approach isn’t going to be for everyone. The mix of Eastern mindfulness and psychoanalysis can feel too abstract for some people who want strictly evidence-based therapies.
Adam works with consideration and strong ethics
“Adam is wholly dedicated to offering attuned and comprehensive counselling and psychotherapy support in the bayside Melbourne area. Adam works with consideration and strong ethics so I would highly recommend him and the Bayside team for holistic caring support.”
Allison Browning, Google review
I feel acknowledged, validated, and empowered to implement positive changes
“Adams’ compassionate approach and perceptive guidance have assisted me in navigating some truly challenging periods. I feel acknowledged, validated, and empowered to implement positive changes. I highly recommend Adam to anyone who is struggling with life.”
Pantelitsa Litsa, Google review