YOUR VILLAGE Training and Support
...because it takes a village to grow
About Us
Mission Vision Values
Our Mission:
To provide opportunities for individuals and families to thrive through inclusive support services and skills development. We aim to empower people to reach their full potential by fostering resilience and promoting well-being through community engagement.
Our Vision:
Creating a world where our clients feel connected to community, supported by their loved ones and carers, and are building their capacity to confidently have their needs met.
Our Values:
You-centred: delivering a personalised service is at the heart of what we do.
Valued connections: providing opportunities for our clients to build and maintain strong, meaningful relationships.
Teamwork: encouraging collaboration with other service providers to ensure holistic care of our client's wellbeing.
Accessibility: ensuring our services are easy to access for all and are inclusive.
Strength-building: We focus on empowerment and growth using a strengths-based approach.
Who We Are
With nearly 20 years of experience, we are committed to supporting individuals living with complex mental illness, trauma and physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Our team is well-equipped to provide comprehensive support services, mental health counselling and skills development; including literacy and numeracy intervention for middle school aged children. Each service is tailored to meet the unique needs of every individual.
Our broad and flexible scope of practice is customised to meet the needs of individuals, their families, and carers.
We proudly serve people from all walks of life and are particularly attuned to the needs of culturally diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ members and allies, and individuals with disabilities and learning challenges.
We are especially passionate about working with children, youth, and adults who are considered neurodiverse—including individuals with an Autism diagnosis, Pathological Demand Avoidance profile and/or ADHD—, those with intellectual, visual or hearing impairment, as well as those experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, psychosis, dissociative identity disorder, eating disorders and personality disorders.
At Your Village Training and Support, we believe that it takes a village to nurture growth and development. We collaborate closely with allied health professionals, schools, and other support services to ensure that each person receives the high-quality care they deserve.
Founder and Lead Practitioner
Melissa Knox
Counsellor- Mental Health
Pronouns: she/her
- Diploma of Counselling
- Diploma of Mental Health
- Diploma of Education Support
- Cert IV Training and Assessing (completion expected Dec 2024)
- Accredited Youth Mental Health First Aider
- Certified LEGO® Based Therapy Facilitator
- Certified LEGO® Serious Play® Facilitator
- Trauma Informed Practitioner
With 18 years experience within the support services industry Melissa has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults who have experienced complex mental illness, trauma, and disabilities.
She brings a unique perspective to mental health counselling, drawing from her own lived experience of trauma, mental illness, and recovery. As an LGBTQIA+ ally and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, she is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and support for all.
Outside of her professional life, Mel is a mumma-bear to three little kitty cats, as well as two human teenage boys. She enjoys swimming, reformer pilates, and relaxing with a good book, a ball of yarn, and her crochet hook.
Awards, Nominations and Industry Recognition
2023 Finalist: Inala Electorate Small Business Awards [Category: Micro-Business]
2023 Finalist: Inala Electorate Small Business Awards [Category: Micro-Business]
2023 Finalist: Inala Electorate Small Business Awards [Category: Micro-Business]
Your Village Training and Support was so proud to be a finalist in the 2023 Inala Electorate Small Business Awards.
This recognition highlights our commitment to providing high-quality support services to individuals and families in our community.
At Your Village, we believe in fostering growth, inclusion, and empowerment, offering tailored training and support programs for people with mental health challenges, disabilities, and trauma and their families, friends and other support networks. Being named a finalist reinforces our dedication to making a positive impact and supporting those who need it most.
2024 Telstra Australian Business Awards
2023 Finalist: Inala Electorate Small Business Awards [Category: Micro-Business]
2023 Finalist: Inala Electorate Small Business Awards [Category: Micro-Business]
Your Village Training and Support was honoured to have been nominated for the 2024 Telstra Australian Small Business Awards.
Although we were ineligible for the award, the nomination itself is a testament to the impact we are making within the community. We are deeply grateful for the recognition of our work supporting individuals with mental health challenges, disabilities, and trauma.
This encouragement fuels our commitment to continue providing compassionate, inclusive, and empowering services.
Thank you to all who support and believe in our mission!
Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Certified LEGO® Based Therapy & Serious Play® Facilitator
Certified LEGO® Based Therapy & Serious Play® Facilitator
The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is a national organisation that represents professional counsellors in Australia, promoting ethical and effective counselling practices. It supports members with resources, training, and advocacy to uphold high standards within the counselling profession.
Melissa is provisionally registered with the ACA and she is working hard with her supervisors and undertaking as much fun, interesting and engaging professional development as she can to move into full registration.
Certified LEGO® Based Therapy & Serious Play® Facilitator
Certified LEGO® Based Therapy & Serious Play® Facilitator
Certified LEGO® Based Therapy & Serious Play® Facilitator
As certified facilitators of the LEGO® Serious Play® method and LEGO® Based Therapy, we harness the incredible power of LEGO® for workplace training, client and family workshops, and professional development for educational staff.
LEGO® Based Therapy supports children facing various communication and social developmental challenges. It has been proven to be an effective therapeutic intervention for autistic children, those with other neurodevelopmental conditions, and children experiencing or diagnosed with anxiety disorders, phobias, adjustment disorders, ADHD, and depression.
The LEGO® Serious Play® methodology goes beyond mere play with LEGO® bricks. While it may seem like a fun activity, it is grounded in science and structured to foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. This engaging approach transforms learning and development, making it both enjoyable and impactful.
Testimonials
Belinda
Bobby
Bobby
Belinda
Bobby
“Thanks for not giving up on me like most people”
Belinda
Belinda
Belinda
"You are an angel. Thank you!"
Ollie
Sophia
Belinda
"I just want you to know how grateful I am for all your help, you’ve been really good with me and the kids."
Liz
Sophia
Sophia
"Beautiful Mel, you've been a godsend and if there is anything I can do for you, I will."
Sophia
Sophia
Sophia
“Thank you for everything you have done not just for [young person] but for us as a family. Your patience, support, guidance, sense of humour, and unending hard work has been more appreciated than you can possibly imagine. Thank you for making such a massive difference to [young person]'s future."
Kimmi
Kimmi
Kimmi
“I love that you are so caring towards us and your sense of humour manages to brighten our day. You are so insightful and knowledgeable. You're an asset to [client]'s team."
Kyle
Kimmi
Kimmi
"Thank-you for assisting [Client] during their crisis last night and into the early hours of this morning. I truly, truly appreciate everything you have done to assist."
Mandy
Kimmi
Dianne
"Mel has made me feel very welcome joining the team. She calls me every day to check on me, and reassures me when I don't feel like I'm doing my job very well. She gave me comprehensive face to face and online training, answered all of my questions and has shown me nothing but patience and kindness."
Dianne
Dianne
Dianne
"Thank you for the countless hours of service you put into the work you do for me and others."
Suzi
Dianne
Tracey
"Mel has an exceptional work ethic, and is consistently striving to meet the goals she sets for herself in her interactions with her clients. Her commitment to placing her clients at the heart of everything she does is inspiring, and she regularly takes the initiative to pursue both personal and professional growth."
Tracey
Dianne
Tracey
Mel is the queen of multi-tasking, PATIENCE, rolling-with-the-punches, and everything in between.
She keeps a peaceful "kids first" environment. She probably doesn't realise the power of her influence on those she works with, but it's super dooper significant.
I am blessed to know her.
I'm so terrifically grateful for her in our lives xoxo