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), MFMH
Melissa is a Registered Psychologist with Clinical endorsement through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is a Full Member of the Institute of Clinical Psychologists (ICP), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), Pacifica Congress, and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
Qualifications
Bachelor of Behavioural Science, La Trobe University
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours), Charles Sturt University
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Charles Sturt University
Master of Forensic Mental Health, University of New South Wales
Professional and Clinical Practice
Melissa works primarily in forensic and medico-legal psychology, providing assessment services to Courts, Tribunals, and statutory bodies. Her current practice includes 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.
She is appointed as a Single Expert Witness for the Family Court of Western Australia and the Children’s Court of Western Australia. Her forensic work also includes sexual recidivism risk assessments and other court-ordered psychological evaluations, drawing on advanced training in forensic mental health.
Alongside her forensic practice, Melissa provides psychological assessment and treatment for adults and children, including presentations involving trauma, domestic violence, substance use, self-harm, relationship difficulties, and mood and anxiety disorders. She has particular experience working with children affected by developmental trauma and disrupted caregiving environments.
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 Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist Registrar
BSc(Neuroscience), BSc&Tech(Psych; Hons1), ResM(Neuropsychology), MPsych(Clin), PhD, Grad Dip(Clin Neuropsych), MACPA, APS-CCN
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 has since completed 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 for individuals with co-morbid neurological or neuropsychological issues. She also draws on this background to provide comprehensive assessments for children with learning and/or developmental difficulties, including 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 healthy ageing.
Administration Officer
Pam joined the Nudge Group team with over 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.
