ABOUT ME

DClinPsy Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester, UK
MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, UK
MSW Masters in Social Work from the University of Hong Kong
BA (Hon) Psychology and Economics from the University of Virginia, USA

Dr. Melissa Chan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist, who has worked in the field of mental health taking up clinical and research roles in the community and academic settings for ten years. She is experienced in treating people with symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, who specialises in working with people who are highly self-critical and have highly sensitive traits (HSP). She also works with people who are struggling with low self-esteem, constant work stress, grief and bereavement, adjustment difficulties (e.g. relocation, aging, physical illness diagnosis) and those affected by childhood emotional wounds.
 

You may often feel stuck and lonely, as if your feelings and deepest needs are rarely truly heard or understood. You might find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others, always feeling “not good enough,” and trapped in the exhausting cycle of striving for perfectionism — even when you’re already doing so much. These patterns can leave you emotionally drained, disconnected from yourself, and unsure how to move forward.

As a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) herself, Melissa brings a rare depth of emotional attunement to therapy. She quickly senses and gently mirrors your feelings, creating a warm, safe, and deeply compassionate space where you feel truly seen and understood. In sessions, she supports you to reflect, process your emotions and thoughts, identify what keeps your struggles going, and break unhelpful vicious cycles. Collaboratively, she helps you reconnect with your inner feelings as a guide to your needs, while building practical skills to overcome barriers — empowering you to move from self-criticism and emotional stuckness toward greater self-compassion and inner strength.
 

Melissa works collaboratively with you to address both the present and the past. In the present, she equips you with practical skills to manage symptoms and break unhelpful cycles using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based tools. At the same time, she draws on Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you heal deeper emotional wounds, soften the harsh inner critic, and reconnect with your authentic needs and values. For more complex or longstanding patterns, she integrates Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) with elements of the schema approach.

Born and bred in Hong Kong, Melissa understands the immense stress people experience studying and working in HK, having to meet all sorts of high standards and expectations from others and ourselves. Prior to returning to HK, she had the humble opportunity to live and work in the US and UK for ten years. She is a strong believer in the need for more self-care and self-compassion for each individual, and she hopes to promote a more compassionate culture in the society at large. In addition to her practice at Central Minds, Melissa has also worked in University of Hong Kong (HKU), mental health charities and specialised public and private hospital settings, supporting the vulnerable in the community.
 

Melissa is registered with the UK’s regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC PYL38663) and HK’s accreditation register (HKICP CP00269) as a Clinical Psychologist. She is a graduate member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.

Melissa is fluent to conduct therapy in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.