Amelia Messervy

Biography

My life has been shaped by both structure and improvisation. Two things I’ve learned to dance between as a single mom, a leader, and someone learning to navigate my own neurodivergence

I started my professional journey as a music educator, directing music groups and guiding students toward harmony, literally and figuratively. I loved helping people build something bigger than themselves through rhythm, discipline, and collaboration. When I became a mom and needed a career that allowed more stability and boundaries, I pivoted to dental hygiene. In that role, I spent over a decade listening closely, building trust, and helping people create small routines that led to big change, less about teeth, and more about helping people feel empowered in their daily lives

At home, I’ve spent the last ten years raising two incredible, neurodiverse kids on my own. Between the three of us, we navigate Autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, Down syndrome, and a rare condition called 22q. My personal neurodivergence was diagnosed much later in life, and this has taught me firsthand how complex and beautiful executive function challenges can be. I didn’t always have the language for it. I just knew that some days, starting a task felt like climbing a mountain I couldn’t see the top of. Learning about executive functioning gave me not just insight, but freedom,and I’m passionate about offering that to others

In 2024, I earned my MBA with a focus on organizational leadership because I’m endlessly curious about how systems work, whether in people or businesses. I’ve always been drawn to pattern and structure, but also deeply invested in the emotional, relational side of how humans thrive.

Now, as an executive function coach, I get to bring all those threads together: the systems thinking, the empathy, the life experience, the leadership, and the deep belief that people are worth investing in. My clients don’t need to be “fixed”. They need support, strategies, and someone in their corner who sees their brilliance, even when their brains can’t see the hurdles through the fog.

What are some of your special interests?

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me playing piano or flute, making a happy hot mess of the crafts and paintings that I start (and sometimes finish), wandering a trail with a backpack (or just trying to get my steps in around the neighborhood), or wrangling the beautiful chaos of life with my two incredible kids.

 
We’re actively involved in our local Special Olympics chapter, participating in bowling, alpine skiing, and track and field. My daughter especially loves basketball and baseball seasons through our local disability network. My son, now in high school, mostly prefers hanging out in his room and playing online games with friends. We also have a fluffy little hypoallergenic dog named Oscar, whose heart is way bigger than the rest of him.

I’m a total sucker for board games, cozy spaces, ocean or mountain views, and any book that promises to make me a little wiser or a little weirder. I’ve seen every episode of Friends more times than I’ll admit, I’m rewatching NCIS, and I have a strangely recurring love for Psych, because what’s better than crime-solving with pineapple jokes and driving a blueberry?

What does executive functioning mean to you?

Executive functioning is the bridge between intention and follow-through. It’s what helps us translate ‘I want to…’ into ‘I did it.’ But for many of us, especially those with trauma or neurodivergence, this bridge can be foggy or full of detours. Coaching helps clear the path.

What is a strategy you use with clients and use personally?

One of my go-to strategies is finding the smallest next step that still feels doable, even if that step is just thinking about the thing instead of doing it. When your brain says ‘no way’ I’m here to help make the ‘yes’ feel easier, lighter, and less lonely. Progress isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about building from where you are, with what you’ve got. Ask me about the ‘treadmill method’ that my son and I came up with together. It’s not what it sounds like and we both use it all the time.

How has your personal experience and professional development impacted your coaching?

I’ve spent years learning to stay positive and find clarity when pressure builds and create systems that support both people and outcomes. As a parent, I’ve navigated school IEPs, sensory needs, medical visits and care, and the ups and downs of daily executive functioning challenges. I personally experience anxiety, depression, and ADHD and have people I adore who are part of the autistic community. As a leader, I’ve learned how to hold space for others while setting strong boundaries. Coaching allows me to combine those worlds and help others find their footing.

How would you describe your personal approach to coaching?

I approach coaching with a strategy called scaffolding, which means starting with a simple structure and layering in complexity as confidence builds. We break things down into steps that feel approachable and sustainable. I love creatively thinking outside the box to find goals and methods that work for you, but I also believe in consistent effort and supportive routines so your brain can finally catch its breath. Brains deserve breaks sometimes.

Which of LSA's core values resonates the most with you, and how do you incorporate it with your clients?

Walk the Neurodivergent Walk speaks to my core. “We show up exactly as we are… it is not just something to manage, but a source of powerful insight and capability.” 

I believe sustainable change begins with emotional safety, self-acceptance, and practical tools that help you feel good in your own skin. From there, anything is possible.

Do you have an area of coaching you specialize in?

I specialize in trauma-informed support for clients who experience functional freeze with the emotional weight of just trying to do life in a neurotypical world. I help clients clarify what really matters to them, choose goals that feel meaningful, and build momentum one small, sustainable shift at a time. Whether we’re working through daily tasks, navigating school or work demands, parenting, or creating structure around big transitions, I focus on building safety, self-trust, and practical tools that make hard things easier.