Testimonials

I found Mel at such a difficult time in our family's life, we were really struggling with my daughter and had recently learnt of her PDA Profile. Mel helped us make sense of what it meant and gave us practical advice to help us communicate with school and manage anxiety at home.

 Mel has an amazing ability to listen and play back what she's hearing and provide sympathy, real empathy and solid advice. 

 We're almost 12 months along our journey now, and with regular contact with Mel we are a world away from where we were last year. I will keep in touch with Mel for the long term, she is a trusted advisor and friend, and I am so inspired by her as a mother, and for the work she is doing to help all the children, siblings, parents and wider communities to learn about PDA and support those who need it most. Thanks Mel x

Mum of E, age 12

I called Mel when my son was refusing to go to school and his mental health had gone rapidly downhill. Mel was a font of practical advice and she is so down to earth and reassuring. She helped us navigate the situation and helped me through a difficult winter of our son refusing to leave the house. 6 months on and now I feel like I have got my happy, engaged, joyful boy back. We are out and about again and his controlling behaviours have all but disappeared. I had only just heard of PDA when I called Mel and she helped me understand things from my son’s point of view and come up with simple, easy to implement strategies that have really paid off for my family. Mel is very approachable; I highly recommend you give her a ring if you need someone to talk over anything PDA related.

Mum of D, age 5

Clubhouse for me has literally been a life line, you always receive a warm welcome and quickly become part of a community, who are all so supportive, helpful, willing to share their own stories to help you with your journey, we cry, laugh and will each other on. We are never judged and I’ve learnt so much. Themed rooms are brilliant but equally the lunchtime club that we can share bad days and wins no matter how small is a great resource, Mel the club owner is a wealth of knowledge and is so warm and friendly, I don’t know what I would of done without it , I have found my tribe .

Mum of A, age 13

I have known Melanie for a few years now as a fellow PDA mum, and has always been my first port of call PDA wise. Her advice and support has been invaluable through our journey so far

Mum of T, age 11

I met Melanie through Clubhouse., doing her room on PDA (Pathological demand avoidance). When I attended her room she made me feel welcome, at ease right way and really answered my queries in detail without making me even think how didn’t I know this. Melanie is full of knowledge in this field and really passionate to help lots of people who are going through a similar journey with PDA. She very knowledgeable, very passionate caring and really wants to help. I felt listened to accepted and validated. I do enjoy her rooms so much because she holds the space for every individual, leads and mods the room so calmly smoothly and most of all very caring and really does listen. Her rooms are always inspiring and very very supportive no matter who you are. I recommend her to anyone.

A J - Holistic Therapist

Mel has been incredibly understanding and supportive. To talk things through with someone who has known, and gone through similar situations is invaluable. Her honesty is refreshing, her advice and support and her suggestions gentle and kind

Mum of L, age 11

I have known Mel for about 5 years now, Mel is always my go to for anything PDA related, she is like a bottomless fountain of knowledge! From difficult paperwork to upcoming appointments or challenges within school or the home Mel has always had my back and arms me with the knowledge and the confidence for both me and my son to come out on top.

Mum of O, age 9

Since I discovered the clubhouse rooms Mel runs as part of positively PDA I feel like I have found my tribe. An open an honest facilitated forum on a Tuesday for us to share how our weeks have been (or just listen until we are comfortable to speak). A chance to talk through things of concern relating to PDA for us and/or our children. A place to share our wins. I look forward to joining these rooms each Tuesday as I know there will be a room with like-minded, kind people for me to talk to. Always solutions and opinions offered, but with no demand to have to follow through if my view differs. There is also an open room on a Thursday evening where various topics related to PDA are covered, such as school attendance (or not), sensory needs, behaviour and many more. Unfortunately, I can rarely attend these live due to another commitment but the Thursday night rooms are recorded so I always listen to the recording and nearly always learn something new. I would recommend that anyone with PDA in their life pops along to one of these rooms to link in with this fab community. Mel is clear and calm as a facilitator. Working to make sure every voice who wants to get heard has time to speak and offering many voices a chance to share knowledge and experience. I found clubhouse easy to join and easy to use as well. Highly recommended.

Mum of J, age 6