“I know exactly what I should be doing, but somehow, I just can’t bring myself to actually do it. It’s like there's an invisible barrier between knowing and doing.”

“I’ve developed a sense of mistrust toward myself. After so many failed attempts and broken promises, it’s hard to believe I’ll follow through on anything.”

“I just can’t seem to get things together. It’s frustrating because I want to do better.”

“From years of being told I’m not doing the right thing, I’ve developed a deep sense of shame and a constant feeling of not being good enough.”

“My whole life, I’ve struggled with unfinished projects and feeling like I’m not living up to my potential.”

Being told, directly or indirectly, that you are careless, not trying hard enough, or always getting it wrong, can slowly shape how you see yourself.

Over time, it can lead to..

“Anxiety”

“Helplessness”

“Low self-esteem”

“Perfectionism”

“A deep mistrust of self”

“Depression”

“A harsh inner critic that never quite goes away”

But what you’re experiencing isn’t because of a lack of effort, discipline, or desire to do better.

It’s what happens when the ADHD brain is expected to function without the support it needs.

At Once Upon ADHD, I support adults with ADHD through an integrated approach, helping you understand your experiences, work through their emotional impact, and develop practical ways to manage everyday demands.

My Service

Psychological Therapy & Counselling

Using Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), we work together to:

  • Process the emotional consequences of having ADHD, including grief, shame, and long-held self-criticism

  • Build self-compassion, acceptance, and emotional clarity

  • Address anxiety, low mood, and emotional overwhelm that often accompany ADHD

ADHD Coaching

We work together to:

  • Understand how ADHD shows up in your daily life and where the real barriers are

  • Gain insight into your unique brain and learning how to work with it, not against it

  • Build executive function skills related to time management, organisation, planning, and coping with daily challenges

  • Develop personalised strategies and action plans that are realistic and sustainable

Most clients benefit from a blend of both.

Therapy helps create a strong emotional foundation, while coaching builds the skills needed to move forward.

What Clients Are Saying

Working with Melissa has been a huge help. I like that she combines therapy and coaching, so I don’t have to see multiple people. She really gets what I’ve been through and has a deep understanding of ADHD. She explained why I face certain challenges and how my brain works, which helped me make sense of it all. The strategies we worked on were practical and customized to me. I’m finally seeing progress and feel more in control.

— Client KT

I’ve been seeing Melissa for a while and really enjoy my sessions with her. With her warm nature and empathy, I always feel safe to express myself. After working with her, not only can I put my past behind me, but I’ve also gained clarity and a better understanding of myself. I feel more hopeful and ready to move forward.

— Client J