“We thoroughly enjoyed our sessions with Melissa. They allowed us to slow down and really recognise the ways in which our daughter was trying to communicate with us.”

Ashlee and Josh
Parents of a Deaf infant

“It’s the little tips and tricks that have made a difference for us. Tweaking little things here and there so we can give our son the best chance at reaching his potential.”

Leah and Simon
Mother of a child with hearing loss

“The most useful part of working with Melissa has been learning how to combine different strategies in order to develop different ways of communicating with our daughter.”

Chrissy
Mother of a toddler with hearing loss

Every family is unique

Early intervention services provided by not-for-profit organizations in Australia are inflexible, inconvenient and unsuitable for some families with deaf or hard of hearing children.

By focusing on what they think is best for the child, they overlook what is best for the family.

Such rigid and streamlined systems are financially economical for the providers. But the model does not serve everyone and some families get left behind and let down.

It’s frustrating for parents to have their ideas dismissed, their opinions ignored and their decisions overruled in the name of efficiency.

Parents instinctively know what’s best for their child and can sense when something is not working.

Personalised early intervention in your own home

I take a family-centred approach that focuses on the needs of the whole family, not just the child.

This means families spend less time in therapy sessions and more time enjoying their child’s early years.

Be a parent not a therapist

I’ll teach you how to communicate with your child in a natural, playful way instead of getting stressed by inconvenient and upsetting therapy appointments.

Make the right choices for your family

You’ll learn to understand deafness and what it means for your family. You are the expert on your child. No more second-guessing yourself and being told what to do. You decide what’s best and I support your decisions.

Take back control

Together we integrate learning into your daily routines in the familiar surroundings of your own home – so you can be confident in your ability to manage when real life situations arise.

About Me

Life does not have to involve a series of miserable and
inconvenient therapy sessions

Hi, I’m Dr Melissa McCarthy and I want you to feel fully supported in your role as the parent of a deaf child – and to feel confident that you are doing the right thing for your family.

The problem today is that within the NDIS system, large charitable service providers are ill-equipped to serve families who don’t fit in to their system. That leaves parents confused or even scared about making the wrong decision about what’s best for their child’s future.

I’ve helped hundreds of families of deaf and hard of hearing children across Australia. From the Western Suburbs of Sydney, to remote corners of outback Queensland, WA and the Northern Territory.

What I’ve noticed from all the time I’ve spent with these families is that you, the parent, are the most significant person in your child’s life right now.

Melissa McCarthy M.E.D. PhD

That’s why I listen to and respect your opinions and provide expert guidance and support in the familiar and comforting surroundings of your own home. That way, you can decide what’s important for your family right now and feel reassured that everything is going to be OK.

If you are concerned about the support you and your family are currently receiving, I invite you to book an appointment with me to discuss your family’s needs.

It won’t cost you anything and it will make you feel better. I will listen and encourage you to choose what’s best for you and your family rather than tell you what you should do.

By making learning fun and integrating it into your daily routines, you can truly enjoy your child’s precious early years and make memories that you and your family will cherish forever.

“We value Melissa’s experience, willingness to be flexible and her non-judgemental approach to how we have decided to support our son. She always finds ways to keep supporting us even though our circumstances have changed.”

Leah and Simon
Parents of a child with hearing loss

“Melissa is genuine and has a down to earth approach. She offers advice and support that is helpful, not pressuring, and she does more than just ‘tick the boxes’. Melissa makes the process of speech therapy a lot easier than we expected it to be.”

Laura
Mother of a toddler with hearing loss

Family comes first

Getting started is easy

“Melissa works with us to fit speech therapy in with our routines and gives support and advice relevant to our lives that could help our son.

Telehealth appointments are more convenient and make it easier to apply strategies straight away in an environment that our son is comfortable with.

At other appointments for his hearing loss, our son is not as cooperative or receptive to the requests of the session, whereas with Melissa it’s easier to go with the flow and keep him engaged, and it’s easier to remember and use the different strategies in his everyday life.”

Laura
Mother of a toddler with hearing loss

“It has been amazing to work with Melissa! She is very professional, always willing to help and adaptable to every situation.

Telepractice has worked very well for us, especially since the birth of our second child.
Sometimes he joins the sessions and sometimes he is sleeping, but I never have to disrupt his schedule to attend an appointment.”

Danielle
Mother of a pre-schooler with hearing loss

Melissa McCarthy M.E.D. PhD

ENJOY YOUR CHILD'S EARLY YEARS

Guidance and support for parents of deaf children

Communicate with your child

Understand deafness

Manage real life situations

Every family is unique

Personalised early intervention in your own home

Be a parent not a therapist

Make the right choices for your family

Take back control

About Me

Melissa McCarthy M.E.D. PhD

Family comes first

1. Book an appointment

2. Learn how to support and guide your child

3. Enjoy your child’s early years

Download a Brochure

Personalised early intervention in your home

Alternatively, enter your email address to have the brochure sent directly to your inbox to read later.

Where should I send your free factsheet?

Download the 3 Steps to Stress-Free Telepractice for Early Intervention Providers Training Guide

Where should I send your brochure?

Melissa McCarthy M.E.D. PhD

ENJOY YOUR CHILD'S EARLY YEARS

Guidance and support for parents of deaf children

Communicate with your child

Understand deafness

Manage real life situations

Every family is unique

Personalised early intervention in your own home

Be a parent not a therapist

Make the right choices for your family​

Take back control

About Me

Melissa McCarthy M.E.D. PhD

Family comes first

1. Book an appointment

2. Learn how to support and guide your child

3. Enjoy your child’s early years

Download a Brochure

Personalised early intervention in your home​

Alternatively, enter your email address to have the brochure sent directly to your inbox to read later.

Where should I send your free factsheet?

Download the 3 Steps to Stress-Free Telepractice for Early Intervention Providers Training Guide

Where should I send your brochure?

Make the right choices for your family

Personalised early intervention in your home