Counselling and Wellbeing
ADHD and Perimenopause Counselling for Women
For women experiencing ADHD symptoms, overwhelm, and cognitive changes during perimenopause and midlife transition.
If you're feeling stuck, experiencing burnout, or questioning your life choices, you're not alone.
Many women in midlife describe a sudden shift in their mind and body. Things that used to feel manageable - organising daily life, staying focused, remembering tasks, regulating emotions - start to feel much harder.
I'm Melissa, registered counsellor, researcher, mother, and life-long learner, based in Adelaide. I work with midlife women navigating ADHD symptoms and hormonal changes who want to regain their confidence and find a clear path towards the life they want to live now.
Who I Work With
My counselling clients have often spent years doubting themselves and resorting to people pleasing, perfectionism, or procrastination.
Some feel that their career and life choices were based on who they thought they should be, losing sight of who they really are.
Others are facing the challenge of parenting a neurodivergent child who is struggling, compounding their own struggles.
I work with both women who have a formal ADHD diagnosis, and those who suspect ADHD traits but have never been assessed.
Many clients who are neurodivergent, sensitive, or creative want to understand themselves better, live in alignment with their values, and feel like they are 'enough' - that they matter.
If this sounds familiar, I'm here to help you regain a sense of clarity and confidence in life, parenting, and work. Together we'll explore what really matters to you - and what's truly possible.
Counselling for ADHD and Perimenopause
If you're noticing changes in:
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focus and concentration
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memory and mental clarity
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emotional regulation
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stress tolerance
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ability to manage daily life
You may be experiencing the intersection of ADHD traits and perimenopausal hormonal change.
Counselling can help you make sense of what's happening. It's not about labelling you - it's about understanding your current experience and being supported to feel more confident coping with it effectively.
You don't need certainty to start...
Many women delay seeking support because they are trying to understand what is wrong first. But counselling doesn't require a diagnosis or clear explanation.
Working with me might be right for you if:
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You feel overwhelmed or 'stuck'
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You're experiencing brain fog, forgetfulness, or reduced focus
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You're exploring possible ADHD or navigating a late diagnosis
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You're experiencing increased anxiety or emotional dysregulation
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You're experiencing burnout or reduced stress tolerance
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You have a sense that you're "not coping like you used to"
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You're questioning your current roles and identity
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You want to feel confident to pursue your own career and interests
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You want to let go of what others think and focus on what matters to you
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You're supporting a neurodivergent child who is struggling
Together, we explore your current challenges and connect with your capacity to trust yourself so you can make decisions that feel genuinely right for you.
At the heart of our work together is understanding your strengths, values, and what is meaningful to you, with the help of practical tools - to help you move towards a more calm, confident, and content way of being.
About
Melissa
A am an accredited counsellor, with a Master of Counselling and registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA - Level 2), based in Unley, Adelaide South Australia.
I specialise in supporting neurodivergent individuals through life challenges and times of transition; whether that's worsening ADHD symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, questioning career or life choices, or entering a new chapter at home, work, or school.
Hormonal Changes and ADHD traits
Many women notice changes in how their brain and nervous system function in midlife. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can cause:
Cognitive changes
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brain fog
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difficulty with attention and focusing
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increased forgetfulness
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feeling mentally overloaded by simple demands
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a sense that "my brain doesn't work the way it used to"
Emotional changes
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irritability or emotional sensitivity
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feeling overwhelmed easily
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reduced stress tolerance
Functional changes
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difficulty managing daily tasks
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feeling disorganised or “behind”
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burnout or exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest
If ADHD traits were already present (diagnosed or undiagnosed), they can become more noticeable and harder to manage.
This can feel confusing and sometimes frightening, but it does not mean something is "wrong" with you. It is a recognised pattern and support is available.
If any of this sounds familiar, the next step is simply a conversation.
Why this often goes unrecognised
Many women reach midlife without a formal ADHD diagnosis. Instead, they may have:
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developed strong coping strategies earlier in life
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compensated through structure, effort, or perfectionism
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experienced symptoms that were mild or masked
During perimenopause, these compensatory systems can become less effective.
This is often when difficulties become more noticeable and disruptive.
How Counselling can Help
Counselling sessions are designed to help you:
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Reduce overwhelm and gain greater clarity
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Deepen your understanding of yourself and your needs
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Reduce anxiety and feel more grounded
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Identify patterns that lead to burnout
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Move away from self doubt and rebuild confidence
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Understand what is contributing to your experience
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Develop practical strategies that match your current capacity
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Develop self-compassion
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Set healthy boundaries
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Appreciate your individual strengths
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Find greater meaning and purpose in your life
What to Expect in Your First Session
The first session is simple and pressure-free. There is no expectation to “perform” or explain things perfectly.
We usually focus on:
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what has been feeling different or difficult recently
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what daily life is currently like for you
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how your focus, energy, and emotions are showing up
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what kind of support would actually help right now
Counselling is not:
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diagnostic assessment
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medical treatment
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or a one-size-fits-all therapy model
Instead, it focuses on:
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understanding your lived experience
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reducing overwhelm and cognitive load
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building practical strategies that match your current capacity
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making sense of ADHD + perimenopause overlap in daily life
Many clients describe the process as: "What's been happening to me finally makes sense."
Booking and Availability
Limited availability is currently open for new clients in this area of support Tuesday - Thursday in Unley, Adelaide. Telehealth is available upon request.
You do not need a diagnosis or to have everything figured out before reaching out. You just need a place to begin making sense of it.
Bookings can also be made by calling 0403 757 199.
If you have any questions, please submit the Enquiry Form below.
Important
Thinkreate is not a crisis service. In a life-threatening emergency please call 000 or visit your nearest hospital.
If you have severe mental health symptoms or symptoms of depression and have thoughts of suicide, help is available.
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Lifeline – Phone 13 11 14
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Beyond Blue – Phone 1300 22 4636
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Australian Psychological Society – Find a psychologist service – Phone 1800 333 497
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