Therapist Spotlight: A Story That Started at Home

This month’s featured therapist is Melanie, an experienced OT who has created a thriving online community for Early Intervention (EI) professionals. But her journey didn’t start with a business—it started at home, as a parent navigating Early Intervention services for her first son.

“My viewpoint drastically changed. I wanted mothers to understand how to help their children learn and develop using easy, everyday routines. I wanted to teach ways to play, build relationships, and move more—to help set the stage for lifelong learning and strong sensory systems.”

That personal experience, combined with a desire to make a broader impact, inspired Melanie to launch Growing Little Brains—a space dedicated to supporting therapists, educating families, and promoting development through simple, powerful strategies.

Building The Therapy Village

Melanie’s clinical experience on a multidisciplinary EI team showed her how collaboration could transform both outcomes and therapist well-being.

“Being surrounded by experienced professionals each week was completely transformative. For the first time in my career, I was feeling less burnout and more success in achieving family outcomes.”

But not every therapist has that kind of support. So Melanie created The Therapy Village, an online membership that recreates that team-based environment and provides ongoing tools, mentorship, and connection for therapists working with children ages 0–5.

The Therapy Village brings together a multidisciplinary team to support EI therapists nationwide.

What You’ll Find Inside The Therapy Village

The Therapy Village is designed for:

• Occupational Therapists (OTs)

• Physical Therapists (PTs)

• Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

• Developmental Interventionists (DIs)

• Early Childhood Special Educators (ECSEs)

Members get:

• ✅ Monthly live team meetings with Melanie and two other experienced EI professionals (an SLP and an ECSE/IMHE specialist)

• ✅ Evidence-based trainings and workshops

• ✅ Ready-to-use resources and printables

• ✅ A private online community for questions and collaboration

• ✅ Real strategies to prevent burnout and grow professionally

“The Therapy Village is what I wish I had when I was starting out. It keeps my 25-year practice fresh and helps me grow alongside members every month.” – Melanie

Free Resources from Growing Little Brains

Not quite ready to join the membership? Melanie offers valuable free tools to help both therapists and families get started with the parent coaching model and play-based learning.

Melanie offers free printables for therapists and families alike.

🧠 Help Parents Understand Parent Coaching

Struggling to explain the parent coaching model to families?
Use this FREE printable to set the tone and gain participation from day one.
👉 GET YOUR DOWNLOAD

🧸 Build Your Child’s Brain Through Play

Need tips for play at different developmental stages?
Grab this FREE printable pack with ideas for every age from birth to five.
👉 GET YOUR DOWNLOAD

💻 Early Intervention in the Daycare Setting

Want to build better relationships with daycare staff?
Use this FREE handout to help providers understand your role and set the tone for a strong working relationship.
👉 GET YOUR DOWNLOAD

Social Media Wins: From Crickets to Connection

Before working on her social media strategy, Melanie was pouring time into content with little reach.

“I was spending so much time creating posts that would hardly be seen and received limited engagement.”

Now, things look very different:

• Her email list continues to grow

• Facebook group engagement is up

• A new SLP joined her community

• She recently had her first annual member sign-up in over a year!

“It’s been less than two months, but I’ve already seen more momentum. And just tonight, another person joined on a yearly plan!”

🎯 Need help with your own social media strategy? Click here to get support that actually works.

Melanie’s Advice for Fellow EI Therapists

Whether you're starting your practice or launching a digital product, Melanie’s advice is clear:

“Try lots of new things, step outside your comfort zone, find mentorship and community support, and lean into what your customers are asking for.”

By building something based on her own needs and listening to the evolving needs of her community, Melanie has created a business that is both heart-led and results-driven.

Is The Therapy Village Right for You?

The Therapy Village is perfect for you if you:
✅ Work with children ages 0–5
✅ Want to feel more confident with parent coaching
✅ Appreciate ready-to-use resources
✅ Value mentorship and collaboration
✅ Want to keep learning while protecting your personal time

It’s not for you if:
❌ You work only with older children
❌ You don’t want to use a coaching model
❌ You’re not looking for professional development or community

Ready to Learn More?

If you're an Early Intervention therapist looking for real support, time-saving resources, and expert guidance, The Therapy Village is ready for you.

👉 Click here to learn more and join today

At Growing Little Brains, everything starts with the family. Melanie’s approach is rooted in the belief that when parents feel supported and confident, children thrive.

Whether through her membership, The Therapy Village, or her free resources, Melanie is redefining Early Intervention by focusing on real-life routines, relationship-building, and collaboration with caregivers.

This isn’t just about checking boxes on a developmental chart—it’s about helping families build connection, confidence, and growth that lasts long after the therapy session ends.

➡️ Learn more about Growing Little Brains
➡️ Follow on Instagram for tips, tools, and community