Team
Welcome to Nudge Psychology, where our dedicated team of experts empowers you to navigate life's challenges and enhance your mental well-being with evidence-based strategies and compassionate care.

The Team Welcome to Nudge Psychology, where our dedicated team of experts empowers you to navigate life's challenges and enhance your mental well-being with evidence-based strategies and compassionate care.

Welcome to our practice, where experience, expertise, and dedication are the cornerstone of our psychological services. Our team of highly qualified professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and specialized skill to provide comprehensive care and support across a spectrum of psychological needs.


Your clinicians, Dr Melissa Harrison, Dr Justin Harrison, and Dr Elissa Klaassen, are well-credentialed with diverse post-graduate and doctoral training but also bring years of hands-on experience in the public and private sectors. Our backgrounds in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and general psychological practice enable us to address a wide range of conditions and concerns. We are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold memberships in various respected psychological associations, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional practice.


Our clinical expertise wouldn’t amount to much without Pam, our Administration Officer, who brings over two decades of experience in healthcare and legal administrative roles. Pam’s dedication to excellence and propriety in client services ensures our practice operates smoothly, and you receive the highest level of support throughout your engagement with us.


The Nudge Group are committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate, and effective care tailored to your unique needs. Whether addressing common psychological conditions, providing specialised assessments, or supporting you through life's challenges, our practice stands ready to assist you and your loved ones.

Welcome to our practice, where experience, expertise, and dedication are the cornerstone of our psychological services. Our team of highly qualified professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and specialised skill to provide comprehensive care and support across a spectrum of psychological needs.

Your clinicians, Dr Melissa Harrison, Dr Justin Harrison, and Dr Elissa Klaassen, are well-credentialed with diverse post-graduate and doctoral training but also bring years of hands-on experience in the public and private sectors. Our backgrounds in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and general psychological practice enable us to address a wide range of conditions and concerns. We are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold memberships in various respected psychological associations, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional practice.

Our clinical expertise wouldn’t amount to much without Pam, our Administration Officer, who brings over two decades of experience in healthcare and legal administrative roles. Pam’s dedication to excellence and propriety in client services ensures our practice operates smoothly, and you receive the highest level of support throughout your engagement with us.

The Nudge Group are committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate, and effective care tailored to your unique needs. Whether addressing common psychological conditions, providing specialized assessments, or supporting you through life’s challenges, our practice stands ready to assist you and your loved ones.

Clinical Psychologist 

BBSC, BSocSci(Psych)(Hons), DPsych(Clin), Master of Forensic Mental Health (candidate), MACPA

 

Melissa is a Registered Psychologist, holding Clinical endorsement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Melissa is a Full Member of the Institute of Clinical Psychologists (ICP), the Australian Clinical Psychologists Association (ACPA), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Pacifica Congress, the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL), and the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST).

 

Melissa was awarded a Bachelor of Behavioural Science in 2004 from LaTrobe University, and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) in 2006 from Charles Sturt University, following which she completed two years of supervised practice and obtained Psychologist Registration. Afterwards she completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with Charles Sturt University in 2018. Her Doctoral dissertation focused on parenting and specifically examined the relationship between impulsivity, parenting knowledge, and parental disciplinary style. Melissa is currently studying for a Masters in Forensic Mental Health with the University of New South Wales (UNSW; Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry). She served as an AHPRA approved supervisor of Psychologist trainees (Provisionally Registered and Clinical Psychologist Registrars) for over a decade.

 

Melissa has been working in the field of psychology since 2004, in public and private settings, with children, adults, couples and families (particularly with high risk and high need populations). She has over 17 years’ experience conducting medico-legal assessments for various Courts and Tribunals. Melissa has previously worked as an Assessment Specialist within adult corrections. Currently, she conducts Parenting Capacity Assessments for the Department of Communities, Criminal Injuries Assessments for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Capacity Assessments for the State Administrative Tribunal, and Psychological Assessments under Workers’ Compensation inter alia. She is a Single Expert Witness for the Family Court of Western Australia.

 

Presently, Melissa works in private practice delivering assessment and treatment services. She provides psychological therapy for a wide range of conditions including (but not limited to) depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, sleep disorders, substance use disorders, self-harm, and domestic violence support. She has extensive experience working with children who have suffered developmental trauma and disrupted attachment. Melissa’s previous roles include Child Abuse and Neglect Counsellor, and Sexual Assault Worker (child and adult).

Psychologist 

BPsychology(Hons 1), PhD (Psychology) MAPS

 

Dr Justin Harrison has a storied history, having worked as a tradesman, a park ranger in the central desert, and a trekking guide in Kakadu and Patagonia. Justin has worked with men, children, families, and couples for over two decades and has a passion for how the science and art of psychology and philosophy can enrich our lives. In addition to his couple’s and family systems therapy, Justin has worked as a School Psychologist, and taught Developmental Psychology at University level for many years. His research and experience in statistical and research methods are at the fore when it comes to assessment and diagnosis of learning or neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. Specific Learning Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, ADHD and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders). While Justin is a social scientist - having published papers on parenting programs, moral and religious psychology and impulsivity - he is also an accomplished essayist and guest speaker, available for engagements on request. In addition to his clinical work, Justin continues to teach psychology as an adjunct lecturer at Charles Sturt University.

 

Perhaps because of his travels and experience with indigenous cultures, as well as his passion for the natural world, Justin also has an abiding interest in the therapeutic potential of non-ordinary conscious states. To this end, Justin completed his Certificate in Psychedelic assisted therapies (PAT) with the Mind Medicine Institute in 2022 and offers psycho-therapeutic integration of non-ordinary conscious state experiences in a non-judgmental and harm minimisation context.

Clinical PsychologistBSc (Neuroscience), BSc&Tech (Psych)(Hons1), ResM (Neuropsychology), PhD, MPsych(Clin), Grad Dip candidate (Clinical Neuropsychology), MACPA

Elissa returned to her roots in rural Western Australia in 2016 after completing Masters and PhD level study in the field of Neuropsychology in The Netherlands, followed by training and endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist in Australia.

Elissa is passionate about providing much needed specialist services to rural areas and is concurrently pursuing further study with a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Western Australia. She consults in both Manjimup and Busselton.

Elissa works with a broad range of mood and anxiety-related issues with a focus on adolescents and adults. Her background in neuropsychology means she is well-placed to provide psychological intervention to individuals with co-morbid neurological or neuropsychological issues. She also draws from her background in neuropsychology to provide comprehensive assessments for children with learning and/or developmental issues (i.e. through Educational Assessments).

Elissa completed her PhD on the subject of cognitive ageing and enjoys working with older adults to explore the role of psychology in supporting a healthy ageing process.

Administration Officer

Pam joined the Nudge Group team with close to 40 years experience in a diverse range of industries and an extensive background in a health care environment with experience in both the medical and legal fields. Pam is dedicated to the old virtues of honesty, reliability, integrity, responsibility and providing customers and clients with the highest possible level of service. Originally from Kalgoorlie, Pam is now entrenched in the Southwest lifestyle, she loves the beach and her two cocker spaniels.