Melissa Hughes continues in her position as Director and Perinatal Therapist at Baby and Beyond Parental Counselling and now practices at Ridge 26.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist, Melissa has always had a great interest in supporting women with postnatal depression and anxiety. This has extended to support the partners and family members of those who suffer with perinatal mood disorders. Melissa works with many couples in relationship therapy to adjust to life with a new baby.

Melissa has been the Director of Baby and Beyond Parental Counselling  since 2007. Since founding this valuable support network, Melissa has also established a Men's Group for partners of women with perinatal mood disorders. Melissa’s strong therapeutic background includes the first ever Psychotherapist Internship at Tresillian Family Care Centres and years of expert group facilitation and training of Counsellors, Psychiatrists and Psychologists.

Melissa has won many community awards as well as being recognised by the Centre for Leadership for Women in 2009 for her work in the postnatal depression support area.

Melissa has also worked in adult education, lecturing at Universities across Sydney and teaching other professionals group therapy skills. Her strong academic history includes published papers in professional journals, online parenting sites, relationship advice pieces and parenting magazines.