Melanie Ward, LPC-A

I'm a neurodivergent-affirming therapist specializing in working with autistic and ADHD adults who are navigating burnout, identity discovery, and the journey toward authentic self-acceptance.

Life isn’t supposed to feel this hard. Yet here you are, running on fumes, wondering why things that “should” be simple feel impossible. The dishes pile up, showering feels like an Olympic sport, and every bit of news feels like another punch in the gut. Your body feels heavy, your mind won’t stop racing, and you’re so tired of being burned out all the time.

You’ve probably spent your whole life trying to fit into a world that wasn’t built for you. Maybe you were a “gifted kid” who grew up in chaos or unhealthy relationships. Maybe you’ve endured abuse, discrimination, or religious trauma. Maybe you’re queer, trans, neurodivergent—or all of the above—and you’ve only recently started to piece together what that really means for you. You’ve been handed a rulebook and a yardstick that were never made for your brain, your body, or your life. And every time you try to measure up, you lose more pieces of yourself.

Here’s what I believe: you are not the problem. The problem is a system that asks you to twist yourself into knots just to survive. You deserve a life that fits you—not one that constantly demands you shrink or mask to be accepted.

I help LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folks stop blaming themselves for struggling and start understanding their experiences in context: their wiring, their history, and the systems around them. Together, we’ll untangle those harmful stories you’ve been carrying, build real self-compassion, and create ways of living that feel sustainable and true to you. When you stop fighting yourself, life feels lighter.

I’m a queer AuDHDer therapist who’s been there, navigating many of the same challenges my clients face. I’m also experienced in supporting people through identity exploration, chronic illness and pain, religious trauma, and parenting neurodivergent kids. My practice is kink-aware, sex-positive, and polyamory-friendly. Most importantly, it’s a space where you can finally put down the mask, take a breath, and just be you.