Sunny Side Up Therapy & Consulting
Adult Speech Therapy - FEES, Ampcare, SpeakOUT
ADHD & Dyslexia Coaching; Holistic & Functional Treatment
Welcome to Sunny Side Up Therapy & Consulting!
Experience exceptional Medical Speech-Language Pathology and Cognitive Coaching services in the vibrant Tampa Bay Area.
Sunny Side Up is a private speech therapy practice located in Lutz, FL. Here, you will find a welcoming and open environment where you are the top priority. I provide skilled and specialized services for individuals of all ages, with a focus on adults and geriatric populations.
My treatment philosophy centers around the brain-body connection and improving your well-being. With a focus on research and function, I strive to make each session fun and effective. After all, if you enjoy the session, you are more likely to feel relaxed, understand what I’m teaching you, and make valuable connections between the concepts and your own life.
Our premium services include treatment for swallowing difficulties, speech & language disorders, cognitive therapy, and personalized cognitive coaching for ADHD and Dyslexia.
With advanced diagnostic and treatment approaches, Sunny Side Up is your one-stop shop for Dysphagia evaluations and treatment. We offer in-office instrumental swallowing evaluations via Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and highly skilled treatment approaches to suit your needs. These treatments include:
- Ampcare's ESP™ - Effective Swallowing Protocol, which uses Neuromuscular e-stim + rehabilitation exercises to improve strength and function effectively.
- Ark-J treatment for Trismus following head & neck cancer treatments.
- SPEAKOUT Therapy!® for people living with Parkinson’s and Parkinson-isms.
- EMST – Expiratory muscle strength training - to improve cough strength and airway protection.
- TMD – treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders to improve jaw function and decrease pain, especially while eating and talking.
Our cognitive therapy and coaching programs are highly specialized as well. I have several unique options, including:
- Tomatis® Method – a unique Music gating system used to stimulate the brain via the auditory and vestibular systems. This method has been shown to improve neuroplasticity, enhance listening abilities, and promote overall cognitive development.
- Executive functioning treatments with a focus on increasing cerebellar activation to reduce the overload of the frontal lobe and improve cognitive processing.
- Cognitive linguistic treatments focus on building neural pathways and improving phonological awareness.
ADHD and Dyslexia Coaching focuses on thriving in everyday life while co-existing with these conditions. While all treatment plans are personalized to you, our coaching programs are tailored to help you achieve your life goals. I also have add-on services, including scheduled check-ins and accountability plans, to ensure your success doesn’t stop at the door to my office.
Moreover, I take pride in offering exclusive specialty courses, a privilege reserved for our valued clients and professionals. I am currently developing Thrive Together, a course specifically designed for caregivers of individuals living with dementia.
At Sunny Side Up, I am committed to your growth and development. Our personalized approach ensures that you are not just a client but a valued individual on a journey to living the life you want. Join me and embrace the sunny side of life today!
Blog Posts
Education/Training
Awards:
- ASHA’s Award for Continuing Education (ACE)
- Reliant Clinical Advancement Ladder – Level 1
Certifications:
Evergreen Certified Dementia Care Specialist
Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional
Specialized Training:
- Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES)
- Speak Out! Treatment Program
- Ampcare’s ESP - Effective Swallowing Protocol
- Tomatis Method
- Executive Function Mastery
- Stroke Rehab
- Concussion Rehab
- ADHD and Dyslexia treatment approaches
- Visual-spatial Rehab
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
- ARK-J Program
- Prompt Therapy
- MOCA Certification
- Mentorship, Supervision, and Clinical Instruction
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders (ADRD) Training Provider
Education:
University of Central Florida
- Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Minor in Psychology
- Minor in Hospitality
University of South Florida
- Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology
Bio
Hi, I'm Melissa, a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and the Owner/CEO of Sunny Side Up Therapy & Consulting. I'm also a dedicated learner, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills to enhance my practice.
I am originally from Michigan but mainly grew up in South Florida. After earning my master's degree at the University of South Florida, I decided to stay in Tampa and marry the love of my life. We have five fur babies who always find a way to give me a little extra love. Sometimes, I get extra snuggles, and sometimes, they fall asleep on the job.
I have many passions in life. One of them is helping others, which is why I founded this company. As you will see, I saw a need for person-centered care and knew I needed to fill the gap. Through my experience in several healthcare settings, from inpatient rehab and skilled nursing to outpatient and home health, I saw many pros and cons. Across all of these settings, one thing was missing – personalization. While treatments may be similar or diagnoses are alike, one person's treatment should never be a clone of anyone else's care. You are a whole person, and you deserve whole care.
My journey has been marked by the challenges of the healthcare and educational systems, challenges that I've not only seen but also felt. As someone who has grappled with learning difficulties, I have a unique advantage- I've experienced firsthand the hurdles within these systems and in my personal life. I'm not perfect, but I'm dedicated to constant improvement. Over my nearly ten-year career, I've been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to share my knowledge, challenges, and successes. With the creation of the ADHD and Dyslexia Coaching programs, I can finally do just that.
My creative passions are an integral part of who I am, influencing my approach as a human, a thinker, a learner, and an SLP. Whether I'm crafting jewelry, designing cards, or devising a unique task for a client, I thrive when I can think outside the box. Some of my most innovative achievements or treatment interventions have emerged from moments of letting my creativity take the lead.
Memberships
American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA)
Sig 10 Affiliate - Higher Education
Payments Accepted
Cash, check, credit card, stripe
Hours:Monday-friday 9am-6 pm
License:FL License SA14783, ASHA 14064917
Helpful Links
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Speech / Language / Hearing
|
Language-Based Learning Disabilities
|
|
Adult Speech/Language Disorders
|
Learning Disabilities
|
|
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
|
Motor Speech Disorders
|
|
Aphasia
|
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
|
|
Apraxia
|
Swallowing Difficulties / Dysphagia
|
|
Head and Neck Cancer
|
Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
|
Licenses/Certifications
|
ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP)
|
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (State)
|
