Our Community
At Great Start Therapy, we consider our staff and clients to be family; come join our community!
Meet the Owner
Melanie Krevitz Bellissima, M.S., CCC-SLP
Melanie has been active in the speech therapy world since the young age of 14 when she began to observe speech therapists in different environments. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Chester University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communicative Disorders. During her years at WCU, Melanie served as President of NSSLHA (National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association), earning her the" NSSLHA Members Honor Award", national recognition awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, service to the academic unit, and professional conduct. Melanie was also awarded the "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges" award and was nominated for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.Continuing her education towards her goal of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, Melanie studied at Towson University where she earned a Master's of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She served as President of NSSLHA at the graduate level as well.
Melanie has extensive experience in the field, working at several pediatric outpatient facilities where she treated a variety of clients with a range of disorders and diagnoses. She also spent several years working at a camp for children on the Autism Spectrum, where she developed and implemented the camp's drama program.
She also created individualized positive behavior plans and activities to enhance social skills such as non-verbal communication, conversation building, friendship making, and problem solving.
Melanie wanted to create a therapeutic environment that was unlike any other. A place where every child is seen as special with a unique therapy plan created just for them. A place where the therapist is handpicked for a child's specific needs. A place where kindness, respect, and love are at the forefront of all therapy. Thus, Great Start Therapy was created. Melanie is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and certified by the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA).
Testimonials
"An Open Letter To My Child's Speech Therapist"
Dedicated with love to Miss Mel
Dear Speech Therapist,
You met my daughter, a little pixie of a girl, almost four years ago. She had round cheeks and two tiny, wispy pigtails that you tell me you
remember like it was yesterday. Although my little girl had recently turned three years old, she had less than 25 words in her vocabulary
when you met.
You and my daughter clicked almost instantly and began building the foundation for the unbreakable bond the two of you would go on to form. Your kind and loving nature put my timid little girl at ease. I knew from the very beginning that you were the right person for the job of helping her learn to communicate with the world.
As the weeks, months and years went on, you continued to work with my daughter. Your genuine care for her influenced your work, as it does with all your clients. You always wanted her to succeed and I just knew it. I could tell by the way you talked to me about her that you believed in her. When others doubted her potential, you advocated. You stood up for her. You said to give her a chance. You don't know what that means to me as her mother.
As special needs parents we are often put in the position of feeling like it's 'Us' against
'Them'. Like we have to fight for the services our children are entitled to, fight to prove what they are capable of, fight to be heard. With you I've never felt the need to fight because I have always known in my heart that we are on the same team. From Day One we always have been.
My daughter, now almost seven years old, would be unrecognizable by her speech and language skills compared to the toddler she was when you met her. The girl who then struggled to put two words together now speaks in paragraphs with just a little bit of pre-tween sass thrown in. She can talk. Oh, how she can talk! And, while she still has a lot of work to do with speech and language development, you are helping her close the gap between her and her peers.
I cannot thank you enough for your dedication to my child. Not only have you given my daughter the gift of communication, you have given our whole family the gift of support, understanding and encouragement. This has meant more to us than you will ever know. Truly."
Mia Carella
Proud Great Start Mom
A++++ THERAPY CENTER!!!! Melanie and her entire team are exceptional therapists and even greater human beings!
Our daughter started here at 18 months (now ~ 5 y/o) and her speech and occupational needs have more than been met! She has grown from babbling at 18 months to now using full sentences and pronouncing words clearly at an alarming rate! Her sensory delays & needs and ability to focus were also addressed so well that she no longer needs these services! My wife and I cannot thank Great Start enough for the remarkable care they have provided for our family! The entire staff is courteous, professional, clear, and understanding in addressing any needs and/or concerns. Their methods works wonders and are fun for the students, as my daughter consistently looks forward to play time with her therapists. This place is a God send! Don’t go anywhere else until you have contacted Great Start Therapy first to help with your needs!"
Stephen Bolinski
Proud Great Start Dad
Great Start is not just an office. It is an extension of our parenting
team and family. Over the years, we have received speech and OT skills in the form of real progress for TJ. In the greater picture, we have received love, encouragement, advocacy support, and friendship."
Kathryn McNamara
Proud Great Start Mom