Melissa Ferrari - Psychotherapist & Relationship Expert

12/03/2026

For years, Mitch Little believed his marriage was quietly falling apart. When he found his wife Carissa crying without knowing why, he thought it meant she no longer loved him. Instead, the moment uncovered a serious and often overlooked health issue impacting Australians and women all over the world.

Read the full article 👇🏼

Gold Coast fitness coach Mitch Little spent several years thinking his wife Carissa hated him.

11/03/2026

I was delighted to be invited to contribute to this article exploring the idea of the “relationship hangover.” Roses, candlelit dinners and heartfelt declarations of love ~ that’s the Valentine’s Day fantasy. But when the day doesn’t live up to expectations, the emotional fallout can linger far longer than the chocolates 🌹

Welcome to the 'relationship hangover', where disappointment, comparison and unresolved tensions can surface long after February 14.😞

Find the full article here 👇🏼

Why do so many couples in committed relationships find the pressure to celebrate Valentine’s Day and other relationship milestones so triggering? Writer Samantha Allemann explores.

08/03/2026

'Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another.
We're strongest when we cheer each other on' ~ Serena Williams

08/03/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ✨

Being a woman means showing strength, resilience and courage in a world that hasn’t always made space for it. It means standing confidently in who you are, lifting others up, and helping create a future where equality, opportunity and respect are the standard for all.

Today we celebrate the women who make a difference every single day ~ the leaders, caregivers, mothers, sisters and changemakers who continue to shape our communities and inspire those around them. Their passion, determination and compassion help drive progress and create a better future for the generations to come 🙌🏼

On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women, support one another, and continue advocating for a world where every woman’s voice is heard and valued.

Because when women support and empower each other, incredible things happen ❤️

04/03/2026

I loved contributing to The Sunday Telegraph last weekend. As a clinically registered psychotherapist and relationship counsellor with more than 25 years of experience, I often see divorce emerge from a gradual breakdown in connection rather than a single event. Communication declines, intimacy fades, and resentment builds, leaving couples feeling disconnected. My role is to help people slow the emotional process and navigate the strain that separation can bring ✨

04/03/2026

Some great advice from Dr. Stan Tatkin

03/03/2026

We’re all difficult sometimes ~ that’s human 🙌🏼

Our brains misread cues. Our triggers fire. We react.

The real issue isn’t the mistake.
It’s what happens next.

Secure-functioning couples repair quickly, take responsibility, and protect each other, especially in public.

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about not crossing the line into “too difficult.”

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As a couple therapist, I know how difficult people can be. Actually, as a person on this planet and a romantic partner to my wife, Tracey, I count myself as one of those difficult people. Indeed, in no way do I put myself above any of the other annoying people out there. Yet here I am, writing about...

01/03/2026

A good laugh can soften even the toughest moments and remind us we’re on the same team. When we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we create space for connection, ease, and a relationship that bends instead of breaks ❤️

27/02/2026

Self-regulation is the ability to manage your thoughts, emotions and behaviours so you can respond thoughtfully, not reactively, in challenging moments...

It is closely linked to emotional regulation and self-control, and plays a powerful role in your mental health, relationships, productivity and overall wellbeing. Research from Harvard Health highlights that people with strong self-regulation skills still experience difficult emotions, they are simply better equipped to manage them. This supports healthier choices, lower stress levels and more balanced living🌿

Self-regulation is shaped by internal factors such as biology, temperament and motivation, and external influences including supportive caregivers and safe environments. Through co-regulation, where trusted adults model calm and steady responses, and through consistent practise, these skills can be strengthened at any age.

Ways to build self-regulation include
•⁠ ⁠Stop, Breathe, Reflect, Choose
•⁠ ⁠Setting clear, achievable goals
•⁠ ⁠Practising mindfulness and relaxation
•⁠ ⁠Learning from supportive mentors 🙌🏼

Strong self-regulation supports emotional resilience, academic and professional success, healthier lifestyles and positive parenting outcomes.

The good news is that it is a skill you can develop. With awareness and practice, better regulation leads to better outcomes ✨

27/02/2026

Secure functioning is the foundation of a healthy, lasting relationship. It’s about creating a partnership where both people actively protect and prioritise each other’s emotional safety. As Dr. Stan Tatkin explains, our brains are wired to detect threat, so feeling secure with one another isn’t accidental, it’s intentional❤️

26/02/2026

For 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 that are thinking about adding the PACT model of couple therapy to your clinical practice 🌿

This article explains PACT and how it can add to what you are already trained in. For couples looking for couple therapy it explains some clear differences between the many couple therapy modalities that some couples grapple with understanding when choosing a Couple Therapist!

The PACT Institute Dr. Stan Tatkin

Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring question among therapists encountering PACT for the first time. It usually sounds something like this: How does PACT fit with what I already know? How does PACT integrate with other models?

24/02/2026

'Submissive vibes' might sound harmless, but language matters!

I spoke with Yahoo Lifestyle about the rise of relationship dynamics being framed as power hierarchies rather than partnerships, following recent comments from a MAFS groom 🤵‍♂️

Masculinity isn’t defined by dominance. And love isn’t built on silence, compliance, or control. The strongest relationships are built on equality, autonomy, and mutual respect.

Read more in the full article below 👇🏼

The 30-year-old isn't ashamed of the type of person he's looking for.