Melissa Hughes is the Director and Perinatal Therapist at Baby and Beyond Parental Counselling, now practising from her new rooms in Greenwich, NSW. With over two decades of experience, Melissa has built a reputation for her warm, insightful, and highly effective support for parents navigating the emotional complexities of early parenthood.
Melissa has a deep interest in postnatal depression, anxiety, birth trauma, IVF and the often-overlooked emotional adjustment to parenthood. Her work extends beyond the individual, offering meaningful support to partners and families affected by perinatal mood disorders. She frequently works with couples in therapy, helping them strengthen their relationship as they adjust to life with a new baby.
Since founding Baby and Beyond in 2007, Melissa has created a safe and trusted space for new parents to feel heard, supported, and empowered. Her therapeutic approach combines clinical insight with practical tools and genuine care, tailored to meet the needs of each family she supports.
Highlights of Melissa’s pioneering work include:
Founding one of the first Men’s Support Groups for partners of women with postnatal depression and anxiety
Completing the first-ever Psychotherapist Internship at Tresillian Family Care Centres, enhancing her expertise in early parenting and infant mental health
Delivering specialist training for counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists in perinatal mental health and group facilitation
Being nominated for the prestigious Australian Mental Health Prize in 2018 for her outstanding contributions to the perinatal field
Receiving multiple community service awards, and being honoured by the Centre for Leadership for Women in 2009 for her work supporting postnatal mental health
Melissa is also a passionate educator, having lectured at universities across Sydney and contributed to the professional development of future clinicians. Her written work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals, online parenting platforms, and national parenting magazines, where she continues to advocate for better understanding of the emotional journey into parenthood.
Whether you're an expectant parent, a new mum or dad, or a couple navigating the highs and lows of early family life, Melissa offers a rare combination of clinical skill and heartfelt support to help you feel grounded, resilient, and connected.