Michael Slater: Former Australian cricketer turns attention to becoming a mental health counsellor

With his personal life and career as a commentator in tatters, retired Australian cricketer Michael Slater is working to reinvent himself as a mental health counsellor.

The former cricketing great is reportedly eyeing off a move to the Queensland holiday town of Noosa and planning to become a counsellor following his domestic violence conviction.

On Wednesday, the 52-year-old – who played 74 matches in the baggy green before a long stint in the commentary box – was convicted of common assault, breaching a restraining order and two other offences against a woman. 

Magistrate Robyn Denes said the offending involved noted aspects of domestic violence crimes, accusations of infidelity, demands to see phones, restrictions on who she could meet and speak to, and threats of self-harm. 

He was labelled as a ‘domestic abuser’ as it was revealed he pulled on girlfriend Melanie Livesey’s hoodie causing her to fall into a benchtop in April. 

Slater then attempted to email, text and call her more than 100 times, breaching a domestic violence order.

He was sentenced to a two-year jail sentence to be served in the community.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater is working to become a mental health counsellor in Noosa as he continues his own treatment. Pictured, during his commentary career with the Seven Network

The former cricketing great is looking to reinvent himself in the Queensland holiday town of Noosa by becoming a counsellor, following his domestic violence sentence relating to ex-girlfriend Melanie Livesey

It comes as two other women, referred to as Emily and Anna, told The Age the behaviours he exhibited against his ex-girlfriend Melanie Livesey were the same as they experienced.

‘I could just insert my name into this woman’s experience,’ Anna said.

‘It’s exactly the same behaviour. It’s horrifying that this continues, and there’s more people being hurt.’

The women say Slater controlled them and remain scared of him, the reason they wanted their identities to remain anonymous.

The court heard Slater – who appeared by video-link from a rehabilitation centre in Sydney – has spent more than 100 days in rehab in clinics in Sydney and Noosa.

It was then made known Slater intended to return to Noosa for his next set of court-sanctioned treatments to address his issues with alcohol and addiction.

It comes as two other women, referred to as Emily and Anna, told The Age the behaviours he exhibited against his ex-girlfriend Melanie Livesey was the same as they experienced

The former Australian batsman’s plans to return to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are not just for his recovery but also out of a desire to become a mental health counsellor.

With his career in media all but over he has turned his focus to counselling others struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

A source close to Slater said he has already enrolled to become a counsellor at one facility and plans to relocate to the Sunshine Coast, report The Daily Telegraph.

The former Australian batsman is currently being treated at Bronte House in Sydney.

Noosa has become a popular destination for health and wellness retreats and is home to numerous privately run rehabilitation clinics, including Noosa Confidential, Noosa Private Hospital and We Help Ourselves at Nambour.

The former Australian batsman’s plans to return to Noosa are not just for his recovery but also out of a desire to become a mental health counsellor (pictured is Noosa Confidential – a privately run mental health facility)