I provide psychoanalysis in Richmond, Melbourne, for adults and older adolescents seeking a space to speak to what remains unsaid in their suffering, desire and relation to the unconscious.
I am a Clinical Psychologist based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a practice oriented to Lacanian psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis is a form of treatment that takes the unconscious, desire, repetition and the singular nature of each person’s suffering seriously. Rather than offering ready-made advice, short-term strategies or general self-improvement, it creates a space to speak freely and to listen closely to what returns in one’s life, often beyond conscious intention.
My work is for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of their symptoms, relationships, conflicts, inhibitions or persistent dissatisfaction. People may come to psychoanalysis for many reasons: anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship difficulties, trauma, obsessive symptoms, bodily symptoms or a sense that something in life is not working, even if it is difficult to name why.
I welcome referrals from GPs, psychiatrists, neurologists and allied health professionals. Where appropriate, I can liaise with other treating practitioners in support of a person’s care.
Email referrals directly: mylesmedwell@gmail.com
"It is tossed by the waves but does not sink"
People usually begin psychoanalysis when something in life has become difficult to bear or difficult to understand. Of the many reasons one comes to their own analysis, some of the reasons might include:
Ultimately, Psychoanalysis is concerned not only with symptoms themselves but with what they may come to signify in a person’s life. It takes the unconscious seriously: what appears in speech, in repetition, in conflict, in dreams, in slips of the tongue and in moments where a person finds themselves saying more than they intended.
The work begins with preliminary sessions. These meetings provide a space for you to speak about what has brought you to treatment, aspects of your history and the difficulties with which you are struggling. They are not simply introductory meetings, but the beginning of the work itself.
Over the course of these sessions, it becomes possible to clarify something of your symptom, what you are seeking from treatment and how the work may need to proceed. This may emerge not only in what you intend to say but also in what is repeated, what is avoided, in slips of the tongue and in other formations of the unconscious.
The preliminary sessions also help determine whether psychoanalysis is the right treatment for you and what form the work should take.
At the basis of psychoanalysis is what Freud called the fundamental rule, which is to say whatever comes to mind, even if it seems unimportant, disjointed, embarrassing or difficult to say. This is what is meant by free association. Freud treated this as central to the method because, when one says only what seems sensible, relevant or acceptable, they are often repeating what they already consciously know. Speaking more freely allows something else to emerge: the unconscious.
This is important because a person’s difficulties are not always expressed only in what they mean to say directly. They may also appear in what repeats, what is avoided, what contradicts itself, in slips of the tongue, dreams and symptoms. In this way, free association can allow something of a person’s conflicts to emerge, including conflicts they may not yet be able to name clearly. From a Lacanian orientation, the unconscious is approached through speech itself and through the way something of a person’s suffering becomes legible in what they say and how they say it.
This can be effective when someone feels caught in patterns that do not shift through insight, effort or explanation alone. Rather than offering ready-made advice, psychoanalysis works by clarifying the logic of a person’s symptom, the conflicts in which they are caught and something of one’s desire, such as where one’s desire has become inhibited, divided or entangled with suffering. Over time, this can allow a different relation to the ‘symptom’ to emerge and, with it, the possibility of change or difference.
If you are considering psychoanalysis in Richmond, Melbourne, you are welcome to book preliminary sessions. These first meetings provide a space to begin speaking about what is bringing you and to consider whether psychoanalysis is the right form of treatment for you. They may also form part of a broader mental health assessment, depending on your needs.
Understand the unconscious. Create meaningful change. Explore your inner world with a depth-oriented approach that supports long-term psychological growth and healing. Find help for depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, dissociative symptoms and identity struggles.
Discover clarity and direction in your mental health journey. Our comprehensive assessments offer insight into your psychological wellbeing, helping identify your unique needs. If you're feeling unsure where to start but sense that support could help, this is a thoughtful and empowering first step.
Growing up can feel overwhelming at times. Whether it’s difficulty with focus, strong emotions that are hard to explain, feeling out of place, or just not quite feeling like yourself. These experiences matter, and they deserve to be listened to with care. Psychological support can offer young people a space to make sense of what they’re feeling, without pressure or judgment. I work with children, teenagers and young adults in a way that’s thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in each person’s individual experience.
Whether a young person is facing school-related stress, difficulties with emotional regulation, trauma, or questions around identity and development, my practice offers a calm, respectful space where they can feel heard and taken seriously. My experience spans school environments, clinical settings, and rural communities, where I have provided both therapy and psychological assessments thoughtfully tailored to each child’s developmental stage and individual needs.
- Emotional outbursts, anxiety or low mood
- Behavioural difficulties (including ODD)
- Grief, loss or family transitions
- School avoidance or academic stress
- Gender identity exploration & LGBTQI+ support
- Sleep difficulties and emotional dysregulation
Assessments and therapy are available for both short- and long-term needs, with a focus on collaboration with families, teachers, and GPs where appropriate. If you’re a parent, carer or educator seeking child or adolescent psychology services in Melbourne, I offer a respectful and supportive starting point for understanding and change.
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, seeking support for a child or loved one, or simply exploring the idea of therapy or assessment — you’re welcome to reach out.
I offer a warm, thoughtful space where questions can be explored and next steps considered at your pace.
In-person sessions available at 53 Erin St, Richmond
Referrals welcome from GPs, psychiatrists, and allied health teams
Standard session fee: $245 (50 minutes), sliding scale is available | APS recommended fee for clinical psychologists is $311
Telehealth offered for select services
If you are curious to know more or see if this is the right fit for you, I offer a free 15 minutes phone consult.
