Couples Counselling

 

ADHD Adapted Couples Counselling

Couples counseling can benefit all types of couples, whether you're neurotypical or neurodivergent, whether you’re in a new relationship or have been together for years. Couples counseling can be helpful if you and your partner are struggling and unhappy with your relationship. It can help you communicate better, understand each other’s perspective and experience, resolve conflict, repair your connection, and build a stronger relationship.

For couples who are neurodivergent, it is important that they have the opportunity to meet with a counselor and therapist who has an understanding of neurodiversity.

Couples where one or both are ADHD or AuDHD, may not achieve the success they hope for in counseling if it is not delivered through a neurodivergent lens. Some ADHD brain-based behaviors, either not acknowledged, misinterpreted, or not well managed, can interfere with the very behaviors that couples are often trying to change. With ADHD-adapted couple counseling, there is an emphasis on reframing behaviors and situations through an ADHD lens. Couples then learn to respond to challenges in ways that are informed by ADHD.

Common Struggles in Relationships Impacted by ADHD:

Here are some benefits of couple counseling that you may experience.

Communicate Better

A common goal for many couples starting couple counseling is to learn better communication with their partner. Many couples struggle with communication, leading to misunderstandings, resentment, and conflict. This tends to be a major source of concern for couples where one or both members are neurodivergent. In neurodivergent couples where one or both is ADHD, if this is not recognized, if ADHD behavior is misinterpreted, or if certain behavior is poorly managed, this can negatively impact communication and play a significant role in the couple’s distress. During counseling sessions, you'll learn how to communicate more effectively to express your needs and wants to your partner without causing hurt feelings or arguments. For couples where one or both are ADHD, you will gain new understanding and insight into how your neurobiology might be impacting communication and interactions with one another and then develop ADHD-informed strategies for change in the areas needed.

Resolve Conflict

Conflict is a normal part of any relationship, but it's essential to learn how to handle it healthily. Couples counseling can help you and your partner constructively resolve conflict, so it doesn't damage your relationship. You'll learn to listen to each other, understand each other's perspectives, and compromise to get what you both want out of the situation.

Build a Stronger Relationship

Couples counseling can help you and your partner build a stronger, healthier relationship. You'll learn how to best support each other, express your love for each other, and deal with difficult situations in a way that keeps your relationship strong. As a result, you'll likely find your relationship more fulfilling and satisfying than before you started counseling.

“Humans are hardwired for connection and feel distressed when the connection is broken”

When to Start Couples Counselling?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it might be time to start couples counseling.

  • Are seeking clarity on how ADHD behaviors may impact your relationship, family life, or parenting?

  • Are you looking for help repairing a broken connection?

  • Do you feel disconnected and lonely in your relationship?

  • Do you feel frustrated or hopeless in a relationship with a partner who is neurodivergent or neurotypical?

  • Are you seeking clarity and understanding of what ADHD brain-based behaviors are?

  • Do you want to change how you respond to your ADHD partner?

  • Do you find it difficult to change unhelpful behaviors?

  • Do you feel like you’re always getting blamed when things go wrong?

  • Are you making great effort to please your partner, but feeling like it’s never enough?

  • Do you want the nagging and criticism to stop?

  • Has your adult relationship started to feel more like a parent-child relationship?

If you're considering counseling, talk to your partner and see if it's right for you both. If you’re ready to start reach out today. Let’s work together to increase understanding, repair breaks, and rebuild trust, closeness, and respect.