Melissa Smallwood, Writer, Coach, Counselor

Melissa has faced many challenges in her life including a chaotic childhood that involved sexual abuse, foster care, drug use and teen pregnancy.  Her story of finding hope through a teen mom support group is inspiring. Since that time, Melissa has been on a mission to help others see the value of their story and find healing for the wounds of the past. 

“Melissa is a dynamic speaker and educator who excels at reaching people through her words.”

(A.H Event Coordinator)

Melissa is available to speak to small and large groups and to teach workshops on various topics including foster care, trauma, compassion fatigue and parenting. Her combined personal and professional experience make her highly relatable to various audiences.

She is also available to share her story with audiences in order to motivate and inspire others that adversity and hard beginnings can be overcome.

  • Melissa and her husband, Mike live in Palm Bay, FL. They have three sons (Jason, Jared and Matthew) and four daughters (Shayla, Rose, Gabi and Daleah), several of whom joined the family through adoption.   When Melissa is not writing, speaking and working she loves to be on the beach with a book, catching up on FaceTime with her adult kids and grandkids, planning fun events for the family and riding  on the back of her husband’s motorcycle.

To book Melissa to speak at your next event, please email kmelissasmallwood@gmail.com and a booking form will be sent via email and any questions, topic ideas, etc can be discussed at that time.

Previous engagements include:

  • February 11, 2021 Healthy Grandfamilies Program, Martinsburg, WV “Recovery and The Family”

  • May 11, 2021 Aging Well Conference, Shepherdstown, WV “Inner-Work for the Caregiver”

  • October 6, 2021 Healthy Grandfamilies Program, Martinsburg, WV “Recovery and The Family”

  • November 18, 2021 Foster Parent Support Inservice via Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV “Put Your Mask on First: The Importance of Self Care”

  • March 15, 2022 Foster Parent Support Inservice via Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV “Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Helping Those Affected”

  • June 10, 2022 Florida Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Annual Conference Orlando, FL “Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Helping Those Affected”

  • February 4, 2023 Filled Retreat: A Weekend for Foster & Adoptive Moms Lancaster, PA “Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Helping Those Affected”

  • March 21, 2023 Foster Parent Support Inservice via Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV “Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Helping Those Affected”

  • April 29, 2023 Daughters of the King Ladies Spring Tea, Defiance, OH “What Does it Mean to be a Daughter of God?”

  • November 16, 2023 Foster Parent Support Inservice via Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV “The Importance of Self Care”

  • February 3, 2024 Filled Retreat: A Weekend for Foster & Adoptive Moms Lancaster, PA “Prepare to Launch: How to Prepare our Trauma-Affected Teens for Adulthood”

  • April 18, 2024 WVLPCA Annual Conference, Roanoke, WV “Considerations When Working With Foster & Adopted Youth & Their Families”

  • June 14, 2024 Florida Foster & Adoptive Parent Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL “Preparing for Launch:Looking Towards Adulthood for our Foster & Adopted Teens”