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Melissa Boudin
About
Hi, I’m Melissa Boudin, a licensed psychologist in California, and I’m so glad you found your way here. I’ve been working in the mental health field for the past 15+ years. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD. These populations that are especially meaningful to me, both professionally and through my own personal experiences.
I believe that understanding how your brain works can be incredibly empowering. For many people, an assessment can help connect the dots and provide a sense of clarity around experiences that may have felt confusing or difficult to explain. My goal is to make that process feel encouraging, supportive, and free of judgment. I want you to feel seen and understood as a whole person, rather than as just a collection of symptoms or test results.
My interest in working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals comes from both my professional experience and my own experiences with family members with ADHD and autism. Over the years, I’ve seen how meaningful it can be for someone to finally have the diagnosis or framework that helps them understand themselves and their experiences.
I’m drawn to this work because I believe there is a great deal of value in understanding how each person’s individual brain works, rather than expecting everyone to fit the same mold. An assessment can provide clarity, validation, and a better understanding of both challenges and strengths. I want the people I work with to leave the process feeling understood, with greater self awareness and a better understanding of what makes them who they are. An assessment should be about gaining insight and understanding, not about feeling like something needs to be fixed.
I take a strengths-based approach by looking at the whole person, not just the areas where they may be struggling. I believe that neurodivergent people often develop unique ways of thinking, problem-solving, connecting with others, and navigating the world, and those strengths deserve just as much attention as the challenges.
During an assessment, I want people to feel comfortable being themselves rather than feeling like they need to perform or give the “right” answers. I approach each person with curiosity and compassion, taking the time to understand their individual experiences, strengths, interests, and ways of thinking. My hope is that the assessment provides not only answers, but also a greater appreciation for what makes each person uniquely themselves.
