Melissa Hadley Barrett

Melissa, the founder of RSHC, is a Nurse Practitioner/Sexologist with extensive experience in primary care. Melissa is one of the longest practicing Nurse Practitioners in Australia having qualified 20 years ago. She has post graduate qualifications in sexology, diabetes, midwifery, and wound care. She is passionate about assisting people with sexual function and intimate relationships. Her dual qualification as a Sexologist and Nurse Practitioner enables her to diagnose and treat the physical issues and also assist with the complex psychological aspect of these conditions. Sexual function is not just a physical problem, and it is very important that the issues of the mind are also considered. Melissa has worked extensively with men and their partners experiencing cancer and pelvic surgery related sexual issues. She works collaboratively with medical practitioners and other health care professionals in this area to assist their clients.

Melissa is also a sought-after speaker and educator for health professionals and community members to increase knowledge and education around sexual health.  In 2021 she was invited to be a reviewer of the “TrueNTH International Guidelines for Sexual Health Care in Prostate Cancer Survivorship” (University of Michigan). She was also honored to be a reviewer of “The Health Professionals Guide to Delivering Psychological Care for Men with Prostate Cancer” (2021) by Suzanne Chambers, Nicole Henneka and Jeff Dunn. In a previous work life, she was a remote area nurse and an academic, and has published in international peer reviewed journals on wound care and palliative care. In 2020 Melissa and Jo Milios (physiotherapist) co-founded The Penis Project Podcast which shares real life stories/lived experiences with men and their loved ones. Melissa believes that nothing is as powerful as sharing a story to learn new things and offer support. This podcast has a worldwide audience that has grown beyond either Melissa or Jo’s expectations.