Melissa Thompson

LCSW, 25 years of experience

Frequently rebooked

Warm
Solution oriented
Authentic
VirtualAvailable

I specialize in supporting adults affected by ADHD and neurodiversity, whether you are struggling with ADHD yourself or you are a parent wanting to support your child or teen with neurodiversity. Neurodiversity can often include additional symptoms, such as anxiety, OCD, relationship struggles, or self-esteem issues. My approach is warm, practical, and focused on helping you understand how your brain is wired, so you can build on strengths instead of getting stuck in frustration or self-criticism. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and strength-based strategies, I help clients improve emotional regulation, social skills, and executive functioning skills. We work together to reduce overwhelm, manage anxiety, and create realistic systems that support daily life at home or at work. As both a therapist and a parent with personal experience raising a child with ADHD and lower-needs Autism, I understand how challenging and rewarding neurodiversity can be. I offer a compassionate space to explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to move toward positive change. My goal is to help you feel more confident, capable, and connected, while building a life that fits your unique brain, not one that fights against it.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we’ll take time to get to know each other and talk about what’s bringing you to therapy right now. I’ll ask questions to understand your goals, your challenges, and what’s been working (or not working) so far. Our first session is about creating a safe, comfortable space where you can share your story at your own pace. Together, we’ll start identifying patterns and priorities, and I’ll share how I can help. For parents, I spend time exploring family dynamics and the strengths and struggles you see in your child or teen, to get a full picture of your family's needs. By the end of the session, we’ll have a plan for moving forward that feels clear, collaborative, and manageable. My goal is for you to leave feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the next steps.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

With years of clinical and personal experiences, I combine evidence-based approaches with real-world insight. I help clients develop practical strategies for managing relationships, work, and daily routines, while also addressing emotional overwhelm, stress, and family dynamics. My approach is empathetic and compassionate, meeting clients where they are, helping them feel understood, supported, and empowered. Whether you’re seeking guidance for yourself or your family, I focus on creating actionable steps while nurturing emotional resilience and confidence. If you’re ready for more support and real strategies that work for your life or for your family, I’d love to work with you.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I support adults and parents navigating life with ADHD, Autism, and other forms of neurodiversity. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed by daily demands, struggles to stay organized or motivated, or experience big emotions that others don’t always understand. Parents often come to me wanting to strengthen communication, reduce conflict, and find new ways to support their child without constant power struggles. My clients are thoughtful, creative, and resilient. They’ve often tried hard to “fit the mold” and are ready to build a life that works with their brain, not against it. In our work together, we focus on understanding what’s getting in the way, building on natural strengths, and finding practical strategies that actually work in real life. I offer a caring, judgment-free space where you can feel understood and supported as you create meaningful, lasting change for yourself or your family.

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Virtual
My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

With CBT, I work collaboratively with clients to explore how thoughts influence emotions and actions. We focus on increasing self-awareness and learning effective coping tools that support growth, confidence, and lasting change.

Strength-Based

My work is grounded in a strength-based approach that celebrates the creativity, problem-solving, and resilience often seen in neurodiverse minds. Instead of trying to ‘fix’ traits, we focus on understanding them and using those strengths to make daily life feel more manageable and fulfilling.

Motivational Interviewing

I use Motivational Interviewing to guide conversations that uncover your strengths, values, and readiness for change. This approach works especially well for clients who may feel stuck or uncertain, creating space for genuine insight and self-driven progress.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I use DBT strategies to support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and self-acceptance. These skills can be especially helpful for navigating overwhelm, big emotions, or relationship challenges while honoring each person’s unique wiring.

, 8 ratings
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