Melanie Ward

Melanie Ward

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.

Individual Therapy
Website

About

Therapy for neurodivergent and queer individuals with burnout, late autism/ADHD diagnosis, chronic illness, or trauma.

Information

Identified Gender:Female
Pronouns Used:She/Her
Religion:Secular and Nonreligious
Ethnicity:Caucasian
Services provided:
Individual Therapy
Offering:
Virtual_appointments
Evening_appointments
Virtual_appointments
Taking new clients
Accepts Insurance

Licenses

#1

License:8889
Fully-licensed?No
TypeLPC-A
StateSouth Carolina: SC
Expire-Date2026-02-28T00:00:00.000

Educational Degree

#1

DegreeMasters
Area of studyClinical Mental Health Counseling
InstitutionWalden University

#2

DegreeBachelors
Area of studyPsychology
InstitutionCUNY SPS

Specialties

(selected up to 5 only)

Autism

LGBTQ+

Chronic Illness

Transgender

Populations of Focus

(selected up to 5 only)

Individuals

Females

Transgender

Polyamorous

BDSM

Approach to Therapy

I’m a queer AuDHD 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.

Finances

Fees

Individual sessions:$100