ProfessorMelissa O'Shea

Professor Melissa O’Shea is a Clinical Psychologist and academic living and working on Wadawurrung Country (Barwon region, Victoria).

As Chair of the School of Psychology's Practice and Placements Governance Committee, she provides strategic advice to the professional psychology postgraduate programs, oversees strategic placement partnerships and contributes to initiatives in teaching and service relevant to promoting the School, Faculty and University. She is an assessor for the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and a member af Deakin's Academic Board. She is also an active member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Association (AIPEP). Previously, she held the role of Director of Clinical Psychology Programs and Partnerships, overseeing Masters and Doctorate level training in clinical psychology for Deakin University (to 2025). She was recently awarded a citation for outstanding contributions to student learning (Universities Australia, 2023).

She has a passion for the integration of complementary and Indigenous approaches within Western psychological practice including yoga and nature-based therapies. In addition to her training in clinical psychology, Prof O’Shea completed a Master’s in Clinical Leadership and has significant experience in leadership and clinical governance.

Prior to moving to Deakin University in 2016, she worked in clinical and executive leadership roles in public and primary mental health services for over 15 years and continues to contribute to thought leadership in the mental health sector. Residing in the Barwon region, she has been actively involved in developing academic health and community partnerships to support research translation and mental health service delivery in regional areas.