About us

Our Team

As Clinical Psychologists, we have completed an additional 2-3 years of post-graduate training and we have expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and mental illness.

Between our team of Clinical Psychologists, we can provide quality evidence-based treatment for a broad range of psychological problems and mental illness. We work with adults, children, adolescents, couples and families.

Dr Melanie Pullin

Melanie established East Maitland Clinical Psychology Services in 2010. Melanie was born and raised in Maitland and feels a close connection to the area and its people.

Melanie attended Newcastle University where she graduated with Honours in 2001. While studying, Melanie worked as a Youth Worker for several years in a crisis accommodation service supporting young people who were homeless and who often had backgrounds of significant trauma and poor mental health. After graduating, she completed a two-year internship working as an Intern Psychologist in a role supporting and advocating for young people involved with the Children’s Court. In 2005, Melanie returned to Newcastle University to undertake postgraduate studies and completed a thesis that examined Dissociation and Self-Harming Behaviour in Traumatised Adolescents. In 2007 she was awarded the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology.

Melanie is skilled and experienced in working with a broad range of psychological problems and mental illnesses. She is particularly experienced in working with complex trauma presentations. She works with adolescents, adults and couples. Melanie currently works at the practice 3 days per week.

Melissa Franklin

Melissa joined the practice in 2015 and currently works 4 days per week. She is well respected and has developed a strong positive reputation amongst local GP’s and other referrers.

Melissa is a Clinical Psychologist who has 20 years’ experience working across both public and private health settings. She works with children, adolescents and adults and has a specific interest in working with young children experiencing anxiety and trauma. Melissa also works with adults who are experiencing a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief and trauma.

Melissa uses a variety of treatments to help her clients, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Melissa has previously worked in public inpatient and outpatient mental health services, as well as at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

Karen Watson

Karen joined the practice in 2019 and currently works 4 days per week. After graduating with honours in 2010, Karen went on to work in suicide prevention and gained experience working with clients with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, and relationship problems. 

Karen attended Newcastle University to undertake postgraduate studies and in 2017 she was awarded a Master of Clinical Psychology. Whilst completing her postgraduate studies Karen developed an interest in cognitive and academic assessment in children, adolescents and adults. This continues to be an area of interest and is useful in the identification of specific learning disorders including dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Karen has worked in public and private schools, and in mainstream and non-mainstream supported education settings with students who have higher learning needs and/or complex mental health presentations. Karen also has experience working in a private hospital in-patient mental health unit where she provided individual and group therapy to adults with a wide range of mental health presentations