Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Siebert.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From an early age, I was fascinated by human behavior. I tended to observe before I spoke, driven by an insatiable curiosity about what motivates people. That curiosity was shaped not only by the world around me but also by my own family. I often found myself wondering how people who shared the same DNA could experience and interpret life so differently.
I was equally drawn to forensic psychology and criminal behavior, devouring shows like *Forensic Files* and *Unsolved Mysteries*. I initially attended St. Edward’s University to study forensic science, but I soon realized I wanted to do more than collect evidence or follow investigative procedures—I wanted to understand the people behind the stories. I briefly considered becoming a detective before ultimately discovering that psychology was the field that combined my passion for human behavior, science, and investigation.
Alongside my forensic interests, I continually found myself drawn to the world of neurodivergence. My brother has autism spectrum disorder, and during college I worked as a caregiver for a wonderful nonverbal autistic girl. Those experiences gave me an early appreciation for the diversity of human development and communication and reinforced my desire to work directly with individuals and families.
My career has taken me through a variety of settings, beginning with work in correctional facilities before transitioning to foster care and adoption services. Today, I primarily conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults throughout the Austin area, with a particular focus on neurodevelopmental conditions, diagnostic clarification, and helping families better understand themselves and their loved ones.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like most meaningful careers, mine has come with its share of challenges. While completing my education and building my career, I experienced significant personal hardships that tested my resilience. Early in my professional life, I also became a single mother, which required me to balance the demands of raising a child while establishing a private practice and continuing to grow professionally.
Working with children and families has also taught me difficult lessons. This work requires empathy, objectivity, and the ability to sit with uncertainty, grief, and complex family dynamics. Those experiences have shaped not only the psychologist I am today but also the person I have become. They have deepened my compassion, strengthened my clinical judgment, and reinforced the importance of meeting every individual and family with curiosity rather than assumptions.
Looking back, I wouldn’t describe the journey as easy, but I believe the challenges have made me a more thoughtful clinician and better equipped to help the families who trust me with their stories.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a licensed psychologist and the owner of Siebert Psychological Services in Austin, where I specialize in comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. While much of my work focuses on autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning differences, and diagnostic clarification, I also conduct evaluations involving trauma, personality functioning, fitness-for-duty, and forensic matters.
What I enjoy most is solving complex diagnostic puzzles. Every evaluation is an opportunity to understand someone’s story, identify patterns that may have been overlooked, and provide answers that help individuals and families move forward with confidence. I often tell people that my work combines the investigative nature of forensic science with the human connection of clinical psychology.
One of the things I’m most proud of is making high-quality evaluations accessible to more families. I accept insurance because I believe comprehensive psychological assessments shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals from every walk of life—from incarcerated adults to children in foster care to families seeking clarity about their child’s development. Those experiences have reinforced that every person deserves to be understood without judgment.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was imaginative, creative, and a little whimsical. I was also independent and strong-willed. If I believed in something, I wasn’t easily persuaded otherwise, and I’ve always preferred figuring things out for myself. I spent a lot of time daydreaming, asking questions, and getting completely absorbed in whatever fascinated me.
I’ve always been drawn to mystery, symbolism, and the idea that there’s more to life than what we can immediately see or explain. I’ve also always had a spiritual side and have felt that we’re all connected in ways we don’t fully understand. That sense of wonder has never left me.
I’ve never fit neatly into one box. I love both science and spirituality, logic and creativity, structure and imagination. Those parts of me have never felt contradictory—they’ve always complemented one another and shaped the way I see the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.siebertpsych.com/
