Main areas of practice

Hello! I help people experiencing sleep difficulties, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem to regain balance, confidence, and wellbeing in their daily lives. My approach is practical and often focused on the here-and-now, while also exploring deeper history and longer-term patterns when it helps you reach your goals.

I have 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, including a postdoctoral fellowship at Oxford University. I co-founded Jeffery & Ree Clinical Psychologists and Sleep Matters with Paul Jeffery, and as a team, we supported 1000’s of Australians through high-quality psychological care. I’m also a Clinical Associate Professor at UWA, where I teach and research in the field of sleep, which remains my primary clinical and research focus. Currently, I consult one day a week as I manage our busy clinic and my academic commitments.

I work with adult clients experiencing:

• Sleep difficulties and disorders such as Insomnia, Circadian rhythm disorders, and Nightmares
• Worry and generalised anxiety
• low self-esteem and perfectionism
• Social anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Fears and phobias
• Low mood and depression

Each of therapies I am trained in are evidence based and include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Mindfulness, and EMDR.

Therapy isn’t always easy, so I bring warmth (and sometimes a little humour) to help make the process feel safe and human. I’m committed to working alongside you as a team, supporting you toward your goals, and ensuring that—even when it feels challenging—it’s meaningful and worthwhile.

When I’m not working, I’m often with my family (I have three teenage boys), doing my best to keep fit, or catching up with friends.

If you’d like to do a deeper dive, you can learn more about my work here:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-ree
• Research publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a7dIl4EAAAAJ&hl=en
• UWA: https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/melissa-ree-jeffery/
• Virgin Active Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-the-science-of-sleep-with-dr-melissa-ree/id1573729090?i=1000529120790
• MamaMia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/fill-my-cup/eight-hours-sleep/
• ABC’s All In The Mind Podcast: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind/cranky-depressed-bad-sleep-equals-bad-mental-health/104238768
• Sleep disorder and sleep health training and seminars: https://www.sleepmattersperth.com.au/sleep-workshops-perth/
• Menopause and Sleep Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF8qpHgkK8k&t=1s
• Lots of information about sleep on the Sleep Matters blog: https://www.sleepmattersperth.com.au/blog/
• Book – CBT-Insomnia in Psychosis: https://www.thenile.com.au/books/flavie-waters/delivering-cbt-for-insomnia-in-psychosis/9781138186521?srsltid=AfmBOorM6oEPH2HRgj530-p6Z0fNVrYi3TK_qmoDZyXK3XsjDmK8Dj8FjCU