Hello, I'm Mel Watkins.

Licensed Psychotherapist
Director - Mel Watkins Therapy

I created Mel Watkins Therapy as a space where people can talk openly about the things they feel weighed down by—the shame, the guilt, the secrets they’ve held onto for too long. Here, there’s no judgment, only understanding. It’s a place to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface so that you don’t have to rely on substances or unhealthy relationships to escape. Together, we work on building real, lasting confidence and resilience, so you can face life on your terms.

My Story

I get it. I’ve been in the grip of it all—alcohol and drugs, which quickly turned from a fun escape to a dependency that drained me. Substances were my coping mechanism, a way to escape the mess of my life, from toxic relationships to nights I could barely remember. I thought they were helping me manage, but really, they were keeping me trapped in cycles of shame and regret.

My decision to get sober wasn’t some lightbulb moment; it came from the desperate need to finally trust myself, to wake up without that relentless feeling of guilt. And even though sobriety didn’t stick right away, each attempt taught me something about myself. Slowly, painfully, I peeled back the layers and started to understand what had been driving me down that road in the first place.

I left my corporate job, went back to uni, and became a certified recovery coach. Now, as a mum balancing a career and family, I get how tough it is to feel pulled in every direction. I’ve been there—trying to hold it all together while relying on substances to cope. And I’m still learning every day, diving into the latest research on alcohol use, codependency, and trauma. I study the science, the psychology, the real stories behind addiction and healing, so I can give the people I work with more than just advice; I offer insights rooted in understanding and evidence.

Addiction, toxic relationships, and codependency are relentless forces. They twist our thoughts, make us feel unworthy, and keep us stuck in cycles we think we’ll never break. That’s why I’m committed to offering something different—therapy that’s as real and down-to-earth as it is supportive. This isn’t about judgment or a textbook approach. It’s about meeting you where you are, with someone who genuinely understands what it’s like to be in the trenches.

If you’re ready to explore a path to feeling whole and confident again, to finally break free from whatever’s holding you back, I’m here to walk it with you, every step of the way.